Bonney Lake resident Desiree Snelleman and her border collie Pace finished first in the British Open Jumpers event at the Crufts Agility Competition in Birmingham, England.

The pair came in nearly a half second ahead of the second place winner, Snelleman said.

“It was an incredible rush,” she said. “This was a very exciting moment for me to actually be competing at the largest dog show in the world and win the British Open Jumpers event with my teammate Pace.”

Snelleman and Pace were one of three American teams competing, Stephanie Smith club communications manager at the American Kennel Club said.

Pace is 5 years old and this is not his first competition. Snelleman said he has been competing for a little over three years now.

“He is a very talented dog,” she said.

Snelleman has also competed in shows with her two others dogs, T’ai and Stinger. T’ai has since died but Snelleman and Stinger are still competing at national events, she said.

Due to an injury, Snelleman couldn’t practice with Pace the month prior to the competition. But the pair were able to practice before Pace’s injury.

She said they focus on the physical side of the competition as well as mentally preparing for the event.

“The mental preparation for an event of this magnitude can be a little tricky,” Snelleman said. “Never having been there, you don’t really know what to expect.”