Crufts thrown into chaos as owner takes huge fall during event – and commentators can’t resist savage joke
CRUFTS fans were left gasping in horror after one of the dogs’ owners took a big tumble on television.
The handler was darting around the International Agility course with his Working Kelpie when he lost his footing.
The chap, called Henk Simon, then fell to the floor and rolled onto his back as his dog Tucker cleared a jump.
If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, the Crufts commentators laughed and then made a savage joke.
Hank’s unfortunate fall was also replayed in slow motion. Twice.
One of the pundits said to his colleague – and millions of Channel 4 viewers who were watching at home: “Now, if that had have been me who had fallen over, I’d have still been there.
“A proper tumble, a proper tumble.”
Laughing, he then quipped: “That will be a video he won’t be keeping probably.
“But we will be reminding him of it for many, many years!”
Unfortunately for Dutch trainer Henk, he and Tucker did not place in the Crufts Large Dog International invitation – Agility round.
The winning rosette went to French handler Kim Barreau and her Border Collie called Pepper.
Crufts 2025 kicked off on Thursday, marking the 135th year of world-famous dog show.
More than 20,000 pets and their owners are expected at the international competition, which runs until Sunday March 9.
One of those was Freddie Osborne, six, who has become Crufts’ youngest ever dog-handler.
He and his eight-year-old fox terrier Penny took home two winning rosettes in different categories at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
Following his triumph, Freddie said: “I love dog shows and I love Penny because she’s not just my dog, she’s my best friend.”
Meanwhile, security at the venue has been tightened after last year’s show was interrupted when protesters stormed onto the showground – with guards forced to pull a man and a woman out of the arena.
The coverage on Channel 4 is once again led by Clare Balding, who is joined by co-presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.
There has also been two new faces added to the presenting team – Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson.