Caroline grew up with family dogs and was given her first puppy on her 17th birthday. She started competing in Heelwork to Music with her whippet Rose in 2012, and a year later began competing with Fawkes – on the day Rose was retired from contests due to failing health.
“Fawkes is now six years old and he is an energetic, devoted border collie who loves to work. Fawkes and I have taught each other so much as we have progressed through the ranks to reach the top level in both Heelwork to Music and Competitive Obedience. Last year was our first time at Crufts and we finished in second place by a whisker of 0.03 points - this year we were definitely aiming for the win.
“I spent the summer choreographing our Crufts routine in my head and beginning to teach Fawkes a few moves alongside his summer competitions in obedience. As the summer obedience season ended we switched back to Heelwork to Music to purely focus on Crufts. All of our hard work paid off when we championed at Crufts 2016. It was a very special moment not only for Fawkes and I, but for my family and friends who have been with us through the highs and the lows of our journey so far and particularly for the memory of my late friend.