A PEEBLES dog handler is celebrating after reaching the final of the World Agility Open Championships in Spain.

Despite competing in her first international event Bernice Brown and her terrier, Milo rose to the challenge as they represented Agility Team Scotland in the northern Spanish town of Ovideo.

Bernice qualified for the team last October and spent the last few months training and fundraising for the biggest competition of their lives.

The journey took almost three days and, although the duo arrived in glorious sunshine, the tempertures soon dropped and the rain made Bernice feel right at home.

Speaking of the journey to Spain, Bernice said: "When travelling abroad as part of a team with 17 dogs you can't just jump on the nearest easyJet flight." The poor weather forced the organisers to move the event into a huge equestrian arena featuring some of the best dog handlers from 27 countries around the world including Japan, Argentina and Australia.

"The standard was extremely high, with many of the medals going to either the USA or Canada.

"But Scotland was not to be outdone and we were able to gain places in nearly every class." said Bernice.

Although Bernice and Milo compete at championship level at home in the UK on a regular basis it was the first time they had performed at international level.

But they coped well with the pressure and after two days of competing against the clock over four tough courses they managed to secure a place in the final. Although they failed to make the podium they acquitted themselves extremely well and the experience has whetted their appetite for another crack at the championships to be held next year in Italy.

Bernice said: "I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Peebles who supported Milo and myself.

"With no funding available from the official bodies normally associated with sports and team events, the members of Agility Team Scotland have to rely completely on the generosity of those who support the team's fundraising efforts.

"It's the only way we can afford to take our dogs abroad to compete. Next year's competition is even further away, so we will really need all the help we can get."