Crufts winner Nicci Hindson shares stories of Elsa, the Border Collie who changed her life…
Dog walker Nicci Hindson from Newark in Nottinghamshire is living her dream life, thanks to a red and white Border Collie called Elsa. On listening to Nicci’s story, it’s easy to see that destiny played a huge role in bringing this pair together, creating a partnership that was always meant to be. With six Crufts Heelwork to Music titles to their name, they are poetry in motion to watch, with a bond that is unbreakable.
Q: Is Elsa your first dog?
A: No, she’s my third dog. Year ago, I saw legendary heelwork to music handler Mary Ray work four red Border Collies together at Crufts in a spotlight performance. I remember watching in awe and thinking, that’s what I want to do! I borrowed a few dogs at first, and eventually got a red Border Collie of my own called Leo.
Q: How did you find Elsa?
A: Just over ten years ago I was thinking of getting a miniature American Shepherd puppy, but everything was put on hold when Leo sustained an injury and needed major surgery. By chance I was introduced to a lady who breeds Comebyanaway Border Collies. We got chatting and she mentioned that she had a red Border Collie litter due, but the timing wasn’t right for me. But then she sent me a picture that I’ll never forget.
Q: What was special about the picture?
A: When I saw the picture, I had the strongest feeling I’ve ever felt in my life. I didn’t know it then, but I was looking at Elsa. I felt really strongly that one day she would be mine. Elsa already had a new owner lined up, but I just couldn’t shake off the feeling that we were meant to be together.
I was having a tough time, worrying about Leo, and one night he had a very bad reaction to his medication. I was in tears, and suddenly the breeder messaged and asked me how I was. I told her I wasn’t great, and what I needed was that puppy to make me feel better, but it seemed like that would never happen. Fate had other ideas though, and sometime later, due to a strange set of circumstances, the person who was going to have Elsa couldn’t have her. It was like Elsa and I were always meant to be together, and she had always been waiting for me. Some things are meant to be.
Q: When did you realise how special Elsa is?
A: From a very early age. I remember when she was only about four months old a few of us did a heelwork to music demo at a local care home. I wasn’t going to do anything with Elsa, but everyone asked to see her, so I brought her out. She was tiny, but never took her eyes off me, and we busked a little puppy routine. I thought, wow, you are going to be so good!
Q: How has she changed your life?
A: Elsa is now nine and a half years old and has given me the best time of my life. I owe her everything. She’s won Crufts six times - two heelwork to music wins, three freestyle wins and one international win. She was the Biathlon winner at the European Championships in Hungary in 2025 and excels in both heelwork and freestyle.
Before Elsa I’d never travelled much, but Ellie has opened up so many doors. Now we represent our country in European competitions and spend months teaching and having adventures around Europe.
Q: How would you describe Elsa?
A: I love absolutely everything about her. I find her really easy, although she’s quite intense and very fast. She always gives me everything and time just stops when I’m dancing with Elsa.
Ellie is a real mummy’s girl, although not at all loving and soppy. She gives me a cuddle each night, but then takes herself off to sleep under the bed! We are a team and complete equals in our partnership. When Elsa looks at me with those gorgeous eyes, I just know I have to do my best, so she can be the amazing dog that she is. I can’t believe how lucky I am.
What makes Elsa unusual is that she just loves to work. I do reward her obviously, but she kind of looks at rewards as information to know that she is right. Her favourite reward is to keep working! She also likes a bit of cheese, pieces of sausage, or playing with a tuggy toy, but her absolute favourite reward is to run through an agility tunnel! We often train at agility venues, and we use tunnels to reward her and proof some of our moves. She is crazy about tunnels!
Ellie also loves to run free and after we have finished a routine, if I can I take her outside and let her chase around and let off steam.
Q: What was your favourite routine?
A: We performed a routine to Dolly Parton’s song, 9-5, which was a real favourite. It meant we could have a nice, sassy time in the ring with lots of crazy fun, including Ellie learning to ‘type’ on a typewriter, and push me around on an office chair!
Q: Do you have a special memory?
A: I have so many! The first time we won at Crufts was to Trip the Light Fantastic from Mary Poppins in 2020. As winners we got to do a spotlight performance in the main arena, which I’ll never forget. The audience reaction was incredible! And there have times when everything has come together, and we’ve felt like we were just dancing as one. Those moments will stay with me forever.
Q: What are your current plans?
A: We are putting together new routines for the Crufts semi-final, and we’re training three to four times a week. After Crufts Elsa will be in a theatre production of Goodnight Mister Tom at the Robin Hood theatre in Newark, which will be great fun.
I recently got a new puppy, called Libby who is Elsa’s great niece, and she is only 18 weeks old but is just lovely. I also have Rory, who is Elsa’s nephew, and does lots of demos with me in the summer and is amazing at Frisbee! And finally, I have a little crossbreed called Milo, so I’m always busy training – in between being a dog walker! Life is very busy, but thanks to Elsa, I really am living the dream and can’t wait to see what the future holds for my gorgeous girl.