A dog owner from Salisbury who has battled back from a serious horse-riding injury and losing her sight will fulfil a lifelong dream when she takes to the famous green carpet at Crufts.
Elizabeth Rawlings hopes she will prove an inspiration to others when she enters the ring with her beloved cocker spaniel River as part of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Display Team.
An accident in 2012 changed the course of Elizabeth Rawlings’ life, leaving her with seizures, hemiplegic migraines, chronic pain and a blood pressure disorder that causes her to faint without warning.
She now needs ten medical treatments a day just to stay alive.
By 2021, the 27-year-old was registered blind and was further diagnosed with a rare condition called Ehlers Danlos that causes her joints to dislocate every single day.
Despite it all, the Wiltshire native is relishing the chance to star at the world-famous dog show alongside her six-year-old working cocker after dreaming of taking part since she watched the show as a child.
‘I’m really excited. It has taken a lot to get here and it’s a huge privilege to be chosen to do this,’ she told the Mail on Sunday.
‘When I was a child and I would see Clare Balding sitting on the famous settee talking to people, I would think it would really mean something for yourself and your dog to get to that position.
Elizabeth Rawlings hopes she will prove an inspiration to others when she enters the ring with her beloved cocker spaniel River as part of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Display Team
The Wiltshire native is relishing the chance to star at the world-famous dog show alongside her six-year-old working cocker
The 27-year-old has been dreaming of taking part since in Crufts since she watched the show as a child
‘I always dreamt of getting a dog to Crufts in any capacity and I just wanted that opportunity to make that memory happen. I’ve never seen somebody with a white stick going into the main arena and doing this display, so I wanted to prove that we could do it.’
She added: ‘It’s hard but when the application came through to apply for this team, I needed something good and something to look forward to this year.’
Paying tribute to her devoted companion, she said: ‘It’s hard to describe but she’s not just a dog, she’s incredible. She has given me my world back.
‘Before I had River, every time I left the house, I was terrified. Now that I have River, I don’t feel scared leaving the house anymore because I know she’ll keep me safe and if I say to her ‘I want to try this’, she’s there, straight away willing to do it, whatever you ask of her, she’s happy’. I’m also not scared of seizures anymore because she alerts me and gets help.’
She added: ‘I wanted the opportunity to show people what my dog can do because I know she’s the best dog in the world. She has given my life back and I want other people to see how special she is.
‘Without River, I wasn’t brave. She’s my bravery and my courage and independence. When she’s at my side, I feel like I can give things a go. I know River will be up for it and will support me in whatever I choose to do or what I ask of her.’
Elizabeth hopes her appearance at Crufts will inspire others.
‘I know River will be up for it and will support me in whatever I choose to do or what I ask of her’ Elizabeth says
Dozens of beautifully groomed dogs arrived for the third day of Crufts on Saturday morning – to see who will win a set of coveted awards
Crufts brings more than 150,000 to Birmingham’s NEC, with almost 9 million set to tune in and watch on telly; the programme is airing in the UK on Channel 4
Irish Setter judging during Crufts 2025 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
She said: ‘I wasn’t born disabled, I’ve acquired many disabilities for various reasons and I just didn’t want to give up on my dreams just because my body was failing in certain areas.
‘I’m still 27, I still want to live my life and just because I’m disabled doesn’t mean I’m not capable of dreaming.
‘I will suffer from lots and lots of pain after this but as soon as I’m with River, it’s the only time I’m not in pain. Because just for a short time, everything else disappears and it’s just River and I doing something I love.
‘I want to show that if I can do it, anyone can do it. I’m not special, I’m just privileged to have an incredible dog.’
