This week we’re catching up with Marita Ogilvie, one of agility’s most familiar faces — and proud Pawstrading Team Ambassador. She’s represented Team GB 13 times (yes, 13!) with three different dogs, picked up medals on the international stage, and is now training in sunny Spain with her current team.
Meet the Team
Marita is currently competing with her two Border Collies — Cicada (5) and Cha Cha (22 months).
Cicada is the steady, serious worker, with a bond that makes every run feel special. Off the field, she’s rarely far from Marita, cuddling so closely that her nickname has become “Scarf.”
Cha Cha is the whirlwind — bursting with energy, full of cheeky character, and already proving to be a thrilling young partner.
Podium Moments
One of Marita’s biggest highlights came when she and Cicada stood on the podium at the European Open, taking home silver:
“It wasn’t really about the medal, it was the acknowledgement that all the perseverance is paying off. Sitting there with happy tears streaming down my face is something I’ll never forget.”
Focus & Goals
Balance is Marita’s keyword this year — making space to enjoy life outside agility while keeping her dogs sharp for competition.
Cha Cha: building ring experience and really nailing her verbals.
Cicada: focusing on micro goals in training, with the bigger aim of Spanish team selections next year.
Training in Spain
Living in one of Spain’s hottest regions means big adjustments: early morning training, competitions that run into the evening, and swapping long walks for swimming sessions in peak heat.
Lessons from the Top
Having represented Team GB so many times, Marita says the key to success is mindset:
“At the top level you win or lose based on mindset. It’s not about being perfect every day, it’s about having a routine that gets you into your sweet spot before a run.”
Training Tip
One practice she swears by: rehearsing her competition routine down to the smallest detail — including the mental side — so that when it really matters, it feels completely natural.
Pawstrading Pick
As a Pawstrading Team Ambassador, Marita’s dogs are never far from their favourite toy:
“My dogs are obsessed with the Paws Holee Roller Cage with handle. It’s the perfect size and weight to throw, the dogs love grabbing onto it, and it fits in a pocket when I’m running.”
We’re proud to have Marita, Cicada, and Cha Cha representing Pawstrading as part of our Team Ambassador family — keep an eye out for them as they continue their journey in Spain and beyond.