03/08/2026
Aaron Pickard has won the Shooting Times Trophy for Best English Springer Spaniel at Crufts 2026 – the third time he’s done it.
Aaron, beat keeper at Ballinacor Estate in Wicklow, Ireland, was in the ring with six-year-old liver and white springer Archer, whose KC registered name is Cuandor Roe and Co.
Explaining the importance of a dog in his line of work, Aaron said: “You can’t do your job without them. You need a good, reliable dog – and Archer does everything.”
Aaron’s father, also a gamekeeper, told him Archer is a once-in-a-lifetime dog. On today’s evidence, it’s hard to argue.
On what the trophy means to him: “It’s an honour – a bit special.”
