A COLLINGBOURNE Ducis dog trainer and her Border Collie are off to London on Sunday to compete in the prestigious Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes final.

Jilly Holness, 63, and her three-year-old dog Fizz will line up as one of 20 competitors in the ‘large novice competition’ in the agility section at the Hammersmith venue.

The duo qualified for the final 20 back in August and have beat off hundreds of competitors to make it the showpiece event.

“It is an amazing achievement and I am so excited, I really cannot wait. It is a spectacular competition,” said Mrs Holness, who competed at the event back in 2011 with her Border Collie, Whoosh.

“The competition will be fierce and gets tougher and more professional each year. Also as the crowds are so big it is hard to relay your instructions to the dog as they cannot hear but we will do our best and enjoy it.

“It is a very difficult competition but one I cannot wait for.

“They have to complete a tricky course at high speed but I have a lot of confidence in Fizz, he is fantastic.”

“I am just so honoured to make it here that I am not focused on winning it. My philosophy is, “Try to beat the course,” and that is what we are determined to do.”

Over the five days, the dogs will compete in five finals in the categories of small, medium, large, novice and anything but Collies.

The country’s most talented agility dogs and handlers have been competing in qualifying heats at agility shows across the country in an attempt to gain a place in the finals, which take place from December 15-19 as part of the London International Horse Show.