An 11-year-old Lochgelly schoolgirl has made her Crufts dream come true after stepping out onto the famous green carpet and landing two major titles with her beloved dogs.
St Patrick’s RC Primary pupil Grace Dall returned from this year’s showpiece with a Young Kennel Club jumping crown and a national pairs win, competing with her rescue dog and a veteran partner.
Grace, who has just completed her fourth trip to Crufts, earned her place in Birmingham by winning the prestigious Jumping Cup at shows across Scotland over the past year. That qualified her for the Junior Cup semi-final in the Young Kennel Club arena, where competitors are split into age and height categories.
She won her semi-final to secure a coveted spot in the main arena final on the green carpet, going on to finish third in her age group.
Mum Kirsty said that moment fulfilled years of hard work.
“Her (Grace) biggest goal going to Crufts has always been to get on the main arena. That’s all she’s ever wanted,” she said. “This is the year that she actually managed to go for it and do it.”
She explained that Grace just takes all the pressure in her stride. “She does do really well and I don’t think she really appreciates how well she does. Not many kids in her position have achieved what she’s achieved so far from being 11,” Kirsty said.
Grace trains with her parents at Woodbank Dog Agility Club at Hubbard in Lochgelly, where the family put in extra hours in the run-up to the show. Zoom, the rescue collie cross she “pinched” from her mum, is now nine, while Bow has just turned ten.
With both dogs edging towards retirement, keeping them fit is a priority. “Once our dogs are kind of showing those signs, we don’t push them any further.” Kirsty said.
There is already a new star in the making at home. Mini, the young dog, has just turned one and will be the next to come through once she is old enough to compete.
Strong results at Crufts also mean Grace can be invited to try-outs to represent Great Britain at Young Kennel Club level in future world championship events.
While Grace is laser-focused in the ring, her parents freely admit to jangling nerves on the sidelines.
“Oh, I’m a nervous wreck,” Kirsty laughed. “Me and her dad definitely had the nervous belly, the butterflies, and the ‘oh my goodness, I hope she does well’… but you try not to show it for them. You just want her to go out and enjoy it.”
Back at St Patrick’s, staff and pupils have been cheering her on from afar. The school showed her Crufts run at assembly on the big screen and Grace took in her rosettes and trophies for classmates to see.
Grace's headteacher Fiona Millar said: “We are incredibly proud of Grace and her remarkable achievement in competing at Crufts.
"It was a real joy for the whole school community to watch her in action on the TV during Friday’s assembly, demonstrating not only her impressive skills but also her deep bond with Bow.
"Grace showcased exceptional meta‑skills, particularly in communicating clearly and focusing with real determination to guide Bow so confidently through her routine.
"We couldn’t be prouder of her hard work, dedication, and success.”
In a school where none of her friends do dog agility, her training is getting the recognition it deserves.
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