JUST a couple of weeks after learning she will represent Great Britain at the World Agility Championships, a dog trainer from Okehampton has qualified for the prestigious Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes finals in London — for the eighth year running.

Lauren Langman has qualified for the finals with two of her dogs, having recently been picked for the British team attending next year’s world championships with four of her dogs. The event kicks off today (December 17) and runs until December 21.

The Olympia finals are two of the most important showcase events for dog agility in the UK and take place every December at Olympia’s London International Horse Show. Every year the country’s most talented agility dogs and handlers vie with each other in qualifying heats at agility shows across the country to gain a coveted invitation to compete at the Olympia finals.

Lauren has consistently qualified for the finals for eight years and in 2014, she secured victory at the competition with her border collie Fiji.

Lauren said: ‘Olympia is the most magical place to compete, absolutely awesmoe. A few years ago I was competing there eight months pregnant — I wouldn’t miss it for the world! It’s the coolest place to be, full of Christmas spirit and festive cheer.

‘I’m passionate about my dogs and to their care and fitness as sports dogs and seriously committed to their training and welfare. I want the very best for them and I school them for their job, they love it, they love to work and I love to work them.

‘The big events carry a lot of pressure, so my aim is always to be cool and calm and focused and to love my dogs. Being there is a complete privilege, we are so lucky to be in the presence of so much awesomeness.

‘It’s an amazing place to be and if I go clear and do well that’s awesome, but my dogs know no different either way. I love the fact that they work either way, they try their hearts out for you.’

As well as getting ready for the Olympia finals, the world championships is also at the forefront of Lauren’s mind.

‘We are part of the preparation squad for the Team GB squad, so the dog’s fitness is carefully monitored, diet and care is very important as well as sometimes just letting them be dogs. It’s all a fine balancing act. We love every minute of it.’