Colchester Crufts competitors to compete at dog show

Crufts 2023 will see owners from across the country travelling to Birmingham, with hopes of taking home the best in show on the big day.

Here are some of the competitors from Colchester, who hope to go for gold on the big day:

Tina Holman, of Layer De La Haye, will be travelling with her daughter and granddaughter to show off their adorable Pomeranians, Ally, Henry and Pandora, alongside their Australian Silky, Alice.

Smiles - Tina's Pomeranian, Henry, cracking a smile for the camera. (Image: Tina Holman)

Strike a pose - Pandora strutting at a previous dog show. (Image: Tina Holman)

Calm and collected, owner Tina is no rookie, winning best in breed with her Pomeranians, back in 1997, as well as showing her beloved pooches all year round. Each dog will be showing in their breed classes, at differing ages.

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Adorable - Alice posing for the camera. (Image: Tina Holman)

Elaine Beecham, of the Hythe, will be showing her beloved yellow Labrador, Quaver. Quaver gets her name from Elaine’s other passion, music, as she is the musical director of Colchester accordion show band.

Veteran - Quaver when she qualified for her lifetime participation at Crufts. (Image: Noelene Dodd)

Elaine also runs two preschools in Colchester, where Quaver is a massive hit amongst the youngsters, who cannot get enough of her.

Popular - Tilley walking Quaver at the Beeches preschool, Colchester. (Image: Elaine Beecham)

Quaver has had two litters, mating with a German dog show champion after Elaine drove 400 miles to get there. Amongst her litter of ten puppies, two pups went on to be service dogs.

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A veteran of shows, Quaver gained her championship certificate and has qualified for Crufts for life. Now aged nine, she competes in the veteran class, recently winning Best Veteran Bitch in Show title.

Favourite - Myles walking Quaver during dog week at the Beeches preschool. (Image: Elaine Beecham)

Lesley Cook, of Greenstead, Colchester, will be showing her Hungarian Pulis, Tilly, Maggy and George, who will be showing in their breed class. She will be attending with friend Peter Anderton.

A Puli’s coat is much like a dreadlock, so preparation into their coat goes on all year round.

Cute (L to R) - George, Maggie and Tilly. All bred, loved, owned, and shown by Lesley Cook and Pete Anderton. (Image: Lesley Cook)

Lesley won best of breed with her Pulis back in 2004. On her experience with Crufts, she said: “My favourite part of the day is being in the ring and showing them off, it’s the shop window to the world.

“I love talking to people from all over the world, its about enjoying the dogs and enjoying the day.”

Eileen Segui will be competing with her Portuguese Podengos, named Grace and Fausti – short for Faustino, a Portuguese wine.

Sweet - One of Eileen's beloved Podengo's. (Image: Eileen Segui)

Eileen cares for seven of the dogs, usually walking them in batches of two or three, and letting them run free on her large plot of land.

Eileen has cared for dogs for 45 years, judging the Podengos at Crufts back in 2019 and bearded Collies back in 2003, winning best of breed with her Podengos, back in 2012.

She said: “Crufts is always so special for us.”

Are you or anyone you know competing in Crufts? Get in touch at liam.maynard@newsquest.co.uk - we would love to hear from you.