Kids & Family

Ellicott City Border Collie Wins 2 Blue Ribbons at Westminster

A Howard County dog named Spice was rewarded for her athleticism at the Westminster Kennel Club's first ever agility championship.

Spice, an Ellicott City border collie, won best in her class at the Westminster Kennel Club's Agility Championship, according to the official results.

Cynthia Hornor, of Ellicott City, led her 4-year-old border collie, Spice, through the obstacle course—leaping over hurdles and zipping through a tunnel—in 33.4 seconds.

"Spice did well at the Westminster Kennel Club trial, winning rounds 1 and 2 for her height class, so she won two blue ribbons!" Hornor told Patch on Wednesday. "Her placements let her run in the televised finals."

Spice did not win the finals due to a "teeter fault," Hornor said, meaning she came off an obstacle too soon.

More than 200 dogs competed in the agility competition over the weekend, attempting to make quick time and no mistakes on the obstacle course. It was the first time Westminster Kennel Club featured an agility competition.

Hornor has been showing dogs since 1998, according to The Baltimore Sunwhich reported Spice wasn't the only Howard County pooch at the dog show; Stephanie Fleming of Columbia competed in the agility trials with her poodle, Diego.

While Spice placed at the top of her class, it was another border collie who stole best in show. The Associated Press reported that 7-year-old border collie Kelso, of Maine, won the competition overall.

Hornor said that the show was a positive experience.

"It was well organized and Spice and I had fun," Hornor said.

"Spice excels in agility because of her love of the game, her speed and her intelligence," Hornor said. "She is very well trained and always tries her best. She is very athletic and a great jumper. Being a good jumper is probably the most important part of agility since jumps make up most of the obstacles."

As a result of her agility, Spice now has two blue ribbons to add to what The Baltimore Sun reported was a wall of colorful ribbons in her Ellicott City home.


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