Rotorua's Chelsea Marriner has won gold for New Zealand at the World Agility Championships in Britain.
The 18-year-old dog handler competed at the championships over the weekend - with a borrowed dog - and won first place in the jumpers competition.
Chelsea's mother, Alex Marriner, said Sunday night had been very exciting
as her daughter kept her up to date with her progress through text messages.
"At about 9.30 [Sunday] night we got a text from Chelsea to say she'd had a really good run in the jumpers competition and she was really pleased with it.
"Then she sent a text which said 'Well I do believe we just won gold at the jumpers'," Mrs Marriner told The Daily Post.
But Chelsea and her parents had to wait several hours for confirmation she had won gold.
"I didn't get much sleep [Sunday] night, I was highly excited. She said she wasn't getting excited until it was confirmed," Mrs Marriner said.
Once the win was confirmed Chelsea said it was "absolutely awesome".
The teenager also excelled in another category, missing out on a medal by just one place.
"This was with a dog she was only working with for three days," Mrs Marriner said.
Because of the expense and logistical difficulties of transporting dogs overseas, Chelsea had to use an England-based dog for the competition.
The dog's owner, Dave Jolly, told Mrs Marriner he was thrilled with the result. However, Mr Jolly said he was concerned if he made any errors when competing with his dog in future, people might suggest Chelsea run the dog instead as she could do it better.
Mrs Marriner said she was very proud. "For such a homebody of a girl she says the experience has been awesome."
