Some dogs are born champions.
Others take a detour… via the burger van.
We’re kicking off this long read with someone who needs no introduction in the agility world — Alan Bray — and his whirlwind of a Working Cocker Spaniel, Ticita (Ag Ch Devongem Firestarter at Upanovatiger).
Now 10½ years old, Ticita has just earned the title of Senior Agility World Champion, but her path to the podium was anything but straightforward. Her journey is packed with spirit, sass, and more than a few detours (both literal and figurative).
“She thinks her name is Get Down Get Off”
Alan met Ticita as a puppy and says the connection was instant. But smooth sailing? Not quite.
“She kept running out to burger vans and dog food trade stands for two seasons before we managed to keep her in the ring!”
Ticita, it turns out, has always done things her own way. She’s not a fan of traditional training sessions — “she thinks it’s beneath her” — but when the big lights go on, she lights up.
Crufts. Olympia. Championship Finals. The internationals. She knows the rhythm, senses the atmosphere, and turns it on with flair.
At home, though? High maintenance. Ticita guards Alan fiercely from the other dogs, shadows him everywhere — including to the bathroom — and will whinge at the door like he’s been gone for hours.
“Spaniels are a strange combo – she’ll jump on the kitchen worktop 26 times in a row without caring... and be told to get down get off but heaven forbid you raise your voice once as she will sulk for hours.”
A Champion’s Record
Ticita’s list of achievements is impressive by any standard:
🥇 Senior Open Agility World Champion
🥇 Individual Gold, 🥈 Silver & 🥉 Two Bronze medals at SOAWC
🇪🇺 Top 10 finishes at FCI World & European Open Championships
🏆 ~10 Championship Certificates (Alan’s lost count…)
🐾 Multiple Discover Dogs Mixi Pairs wins
Several Wins at Crufts
🏆 British Agility Champion 2024
🏆 Many other Final Wins as well
“She just turns it on when it matters — and when it doesn’t, she lets you know it!”
Prep, Heat & Headspace
Getting ready for the World Champs wasn’t just about clocking miles — it was about choosing the right shows. Alan picked events with international-style courses, judges, and ring setups — like Greg Derrett's International Qualifiers, WAO, and CSJ.
“We were lucky to compete in the very warm weather before Portugal — 40 degrees over there isn’t for the faint-hearted! However, first day true to form it rained!”
Training-wise, Ticita keeps it selective. She joins monthly sessions with Stacey Irwin and Shannon Springford — but only if she’s in the mood.
And the travel? Three days’ journey there and another three back! Added to the very long days, early starts, and stamina-testing timetables.
“First course build at 5:45am and last at 6:45pm — that’s the real test!”
The Big Moment
“Finishing that clean agility run on Neil Ellis’s excellent course and knowing it was good –and therefore landing a Silver and Gold in the qualifiers knowing that would deliver us overall Gold …And then singing the national anthem stood on the podium with Team GB Seniors and Juniors – during prize-giving. Unforgettable.”
What’s Next?
With a glittering career behind her, Ticita is slowly easing into retirement. She’ll still be seen at this year’s Mixi Pairs Final at the Excel Centre, partnered with Stacey Irwin (who is running Ticket, Alan’s Border Collie). But Crufts is off the cards.
“She’s earned the right to chill and put her slippers on!”
Ticita’s Favourite Pawstrading Picks
This spaniel is rarely without something in her mouth — and here are her obsessions:
Her absolute favourite is the Paws Pockets, she loves them then the
- Drilled rubber balls (perfect for stuffing treats in and keeping them occupied and quiet while queueing, etc– made specially for Alan, but drop us a message if you’d like one!)
- – great for carry-and-play
“All four of my spaniels are toy addicts — Paws Made is a hit in our house!”