Former eventing groom wins Crufts Friends for Life award
A former groom of international eventing stars Andrew Nicholson and Clayton Fredericks, Lou Holmes, has won the 2009 Crufts Friends for Life award, with her dog, Brock.
The 7-year-old Collie cross Australian Shepherd dog works with the Lowland Search and Rescue Team to bring home missing persons.
Owner and trainer Lou said: “Brock was nominated by the Kennel Club, as a result of his work with the team.”
Lowlands is a voluntary organisation that has helped to find countless missing people.
Lou, who has been involved with the team since she was a child, said: “As soon as I got Brock I knew he would be perfect, so I trained him up and started taking him to the searches.”
Brock was voted for by the public, beating 5 other finalists, and received his award on Sunday in the Crufts main arena, at the Birmingham NEC.
Lou, who groomed for the Fredericks for five years before being forced to retire due to a knee injury, has owned Brock since he was a puppy.
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She said: “He was really great and he definitely deserved to win. It is safe to say he got an extra large dinner on Sunday.”
Brock was responsible for finding the body of government scientist Dr David Kelly in 2003.
Five years ago he was also awarded a Chief Constable Commendation from Thames Valley Police for his work.
www.friendsforlifebrock.co.uk
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