Newark dog trainer heads to Paris for world championships following Crufts success

A trainer and her star dog will be heading off to compete in the world championships this month.

Nicci Hindson and her five-year-old border collie Elsa will be travelling to Paris for the competition, held from April 22 to 24.

The pair have recently had huge success at prestigious dog show Crufts, winning both the heelwork to music and freestyle categories.

They will compete in both categories at the championships.

Nicci, of Newark, said: “Its a dream. Any sport that you do, when you’re on the world stage you’ve made it.

“Elsa is my absolute soulmate. I call her the Torvill to my Dean. Without each other we are just a dog trainer and a nice dog, but together we are something special and a magic combination.”

This year they are competing as individuals, having previously competed in 2019 as part of the British team, where they ranked fifth in the world.

Nicci said: “I was offered the opportunity to attend as an individual. I thought it is definitely worth bringing Elsa now she’s older and more mature.”

Keeping Elsa in tip-top shape for her competitions is a huge priority for Nicci.

In the run up to events they train four times a week, alongside conditioning exercises ­— including hydrotherapy ­— to keep Elsa fit.

She said: “It’s an awful lot of work, but I’m very strict that she has to do normal dog stuff. The work is in addition to being a normal dog, not instead of.”