Fundraising at West of England Show

As part of their fundraising efforts Team GB ran a fun event on Saturday 27^th March, at the West of England Border Collie Club Breed and Obedience Show, Bristol. The ‘Fun Run’, organised by Michelle and Carole Dodson, involved obedience weaves between poles and a fun retrieve over agility jumps.

Despite rain threatening all morning, once the course was set up the sun broke through and shone all day. The Fun Run proved popular for competitors from both the obedience and breed classes. Even the locals passing through the park on their dog walks had a go!

The rounds were timed and there was a prize for the fastest, most accurate dog. Well done to Steph and Loki on winning the first place trophy, completing the course in just over 16 seconds – wow!

Our thanks goes to West of England Border Collie Club who have been so supportive, not just letting us run this event but donating further funds and money raised in the show raffle.

Carole and Michelle on Stroud FM!

Carole and Michelle Dodson were delighted to be invited onto their local radio station - Stroud FM - last night, to plug HTM team GB and talk about their respective successes at Crufts.

Hanna, the presenter, had never heard of Heelwork to Music before, so she was intrigued. They were asked questions about how the sport had developed, how they had got involved and what it entailed. Even down to if the dogs could do it at the same time! The answer was yes but trying to do a whole routine with three dogs at the same time could prove very entertaining J

Thanks to Hanna for being so welcoming and inviting us back to promote any upcoming fundraising opportunities and to let them know how we all get on.

Penny and Kath at BSDA of GB Show at Tomlinson's

The BSDA of GB have kindly agreed to be a Main Sponsor of HTM Team GB which will help the team make their way to the World Championships in DenmarkPenny made the trip to Leicester to put on a Demonstration of HTM and Freestyle with both her Belgian Shepherds Tally and Secret in thanks for their help. Kath Hardman also made an appearance to help out.

Judging of all four breeds of Belgian Shepherds took place inside the Main Hall at Tomlinsons with Obedience taking part outside in the paddoock.

Spice and Amber waited patiently to help with the entertainment.

The spectators gathered during the judging to watch their Lunch Time entertainment

Kath explained a little of the sport of HTM to the spectators and then Penny took to the floor to show them her HTM routine with Tally to "The Grassland Theme".

Then it was Spice's turn to dance with Kath - they chose to have fun with their "If I Only Had A Brain" routine.
Spice loves this routine - it includes all her favourite moves.

Then it was Secret's turn to show them "The Man In An Iron Mask"

Secret is very motivated for work and this routine will soon be ready for the World Show.

The trophy's were on show for the Breed Show Winners

The BIS was won by the Lakenois - we all admired the graceful gait of this fabulous dog.

Thank you from the entire HTM Team GB - to all at the Belgian Shepherd Dog Association of Great Britain. Your support is appreciated so much.

Gina Pink at DFS Crufts 2010

Gina enters the Main Arena at DFS Crufts 2010Photograph Courtesy of Allan Brown

Gina is always very busy in the lead up to the Heelwork to Music Finals at Crufts as she is the Crufts Co-ordinator for Competitors, Stewards and Judges .Photograph courtesy of Allan Brown

But at Crufts 2010, she handed over the co-ordinators responsibilities to Carole Dodson as Gina had been honoured to accept the Kennel Club invitation to be the Head Judge for all three days Competition plus the YKC HTM Competition held in Hall 3.Photograph courtesy of Allan Brown

The three days competitions - Freestyle on Thursday, Heelwork to Music on Friday and the massive International Freestyle Class on Saturday meant she had judged 33 of the very best routines along with fellow judges Ann DeRizzio and Heather Smith.When not judging, Gina found time to help with the demonstrations of Heelwork To Music in Hall 3 in the Dog Activities Arena with Bailey, the dog she is teaming with at the World Chamipionships. Bailey looking very much at home on the green carpet - great practice for him to work in front of the very large numbers of spectators attracted to the Arena.

Kath Hardman at DFS Crufts 2010

Kath had a very busy Crufts 2010 - starting with the Freestyle Final on Thursday. Kath had two dogs in the final so had quick costume changes between the two routines.

All photographs on this page Courtesy of Allan Brown

Her first dog in the ring was Spice (Winner of the Crufts Freestyle and International Final in 2008) Props can get in the way!! But the skipping rope behaved and so did Spice finishing in 5th Place with their routine to Mr Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra.

Her next dog in the ring was drawn last in the class and it was just too warm in the waiting area, but Amber did very well and they completed a graceful freestyle routine to Dean Martin's Sway finishing in 7th place.

On Friday it was time for competing in the Heelwork To Music Final and again Kath had managed to qualify two dogs for this competition. First to work was Kath and Tipp, her rescue Working Sheepdog. They danced to (I) CanCan (You) by Vanessa Mae - a very fast piece of music which suits Tipp and Kath. They finished the competition in 9th place.

And finishing in 2nd Place was Amber - the dog Kath will be competing with in the World Championships. Amber worked enthusiatically for Kath and they were honoured to repeat the performance under the spotlights at the end of the afternoon's entertainment.

Meanwhile - Kath and her friends from the Top Lodge Dancing Dog Team found time to entertain at the Joint Aid For Dogs stand.And also for an hour, Karen and Kath both entertained on the Samsung Stand on Saturday.

And finally, Kath finished her Crufts with a demonstration on the Flexi Lead Stand along with Karen from Top Lodge Dancing Dogs.

A busy, successful and thoroughly enjoyable four days at Crufts 2010.

Dogs from Stroud led the pack at this year's Crufts

This was the headline in today's Stroud News And Journal with a feature about Carole and Michelle Dodson's recent success at dfs Crufts 2010.Carole with Clifton were the Winners of the Heelwork To Music Final and Michelle with Tamar were the Runners Up in the Freestyle Competition.

What a great start to 2010! Well done Carole and Michelle.

Carole Dodson at DFS Crufts 2010

Carole had her very best experience at DFS Crufts 2010. Carole and Clifton were the worthy winners of the Heelwork To Music Final held on Thursday in the Main Arena.

They were the 9th team to run in the competition and performed their very best to take the lead and win.

Carole and Clifton performed to "Escala Mix".

Carole had a very busy Crufts 2010, she was the DFS Crufts Final Competition Co-ordinator on Thursday and Saturday, ensuring that competitors and judges were adequately provided for and that the Stewards knew their tasks and places. Carole also entertained on the Samsung Stand on Friday showing the attending public various displays of Heelwork To Music and Freestyle with her daughter Michelle and their dogs Clifton, Tamar and Devon.

Towards the end of the attractions in the Main Ring on Friday, Carole and Clifton were delighted to be invited back into the main Arena to perform their winning routine in the fabulous spotlights.

A Crufts to remember!

The Blog Visits

These are the Blog visits updated today 22nd March 2010.
Thank you for visiting us.
Please keep in touch.

Michelle Dodson at DFS Crufts 2010

Michelle had a fabulous time at DFS Crufts 2010. She was placed second in the Freestyle Competition on the Thursday in the massive Arena dancing to "Busker Alley". Her routine went really well, with great musical interpretation and she used the huge space well.

Tamar is a very hard working and willing dog but Michelle decided that it was time he was to be retired at Crufts - he had a lovely retirement party at the benches with drink and cake. But this isn't the last time you will see them working together. He will be taking part in the HTM Team GB Cabaret Night on 27th April 2010 and of course his last competition will be when he takes part in the World Championships in June 2010 in Denmark.

They finished Thursday with another performance of the routine in front of an ever increasing audience to close the entertainment before the evening programme.
Then Friday was another busy day for Michelle as she was the Crufts Co-ordinator of stewards and competitiors for the competition. She also joined her mum, Carole in entertaining on the Samsung Stand in Hall 3.
On Saturday she joined forces with Carole to help with the organising of the competitors and stewards for the International Competition - with 13 Countries taking part - this was an enormous task which they carried out to perfection. Well done.

Penny Draper at DFS Crufts 2010

Penny was at DFS Crufts for just one day due to work commitments, but she still managed to put time into helping demonstrate Heelwork To Music in the Dog Activities Area in Hall 3.Tally was her dancing partner and she performed impecably showing some Freestyle and Dressage moves.Tally and Penny were the proud recipients of the Paws N Music Novice Dog of the Year award for 2009. Congratulations Penny.

Jenny Deakin at Crufts 2010

Jenny had some busy weeks in the lead up to DFS Crufts as she was named leader of the HTM Dog Activities Group who were to be busy every day throughout Crufts. This entailed collecting a team of handlers and dogs for each day to cover the HTM Dog Activities area in Hall 3 plus organising two splendid demonstrations of Heelwork To Music in the Main Arena - which was something new and exciting for Jenny to organise.
This is Jenny with her very newest addition to her pack of dogs - Bobby the Poodle - trotting beautifully in the Dog Activities Area and concentrating very well on Jenny - waiting for his next command.


Jenny was not only organising the Dog Activities Group for HTM, she was also taking part with Tom, her HTM Team GB Dog. This was taken during the demonstration in the Main Arena.

And here we have the entire HTM Team in the spotlight in the Main Arena.

Jenny involved young spectators in the demonstration in the Activities Ring in Hall 3, NEC.

The children loved being involved.

Well Done Jenny - huge congratulations on organising a splendid 4 days of entertainment and education at DFS Crufts 2010.
All photographs courtesy of Olly Deakin (Big Deaks Photography)

What Is Heelwork To Music?

Heelwork to Music (HTM) is one of newest canine sports and is a recognised Kennel Club activity. The sport of HTM is very popular with all dog breeds and the sport is evolving year by year, with numbers in classes and competitions growing.Heelwork to Music is the official title for the sport and includes two different divisions: Freestyle and Heelwork to Music. The Heelwork to Music class is performed with the dog in up to 8 official different heelwork positions around the handler and may include the forward, backward and side stepping movements, along with change of pace, all interpreting the music. Freestyle is the class where different types of behaviours are performed, eg jumps, leg weaves, paw work, walking back and many more moves depending on the imagination, creativiity and training ability of the handler. Props may be used in both divisions. For each of these classes the dog and handler perform a routine to a piece of music, chosen by the handler. This is where the magic happens, choreographing a number of behaviours together to the chosen piece of music.

At all times the dignity of the dog is respected and handlers work to the confirmation and physical ability of their canine dance partner. No dressing of the dog is permitted but the dog may wear a dressed collar.

In competitions, each routine is marked by three judges on three areas each: Content, Accuracy & Execution and Musical Interpretation. This is where the handlers' ability to training the behaviours and put together a routine are looked against these criteria; It takes a little practice but with guidance from classes, handlers in the sport and enthusiasm it is soon addictive and great fun.

Jenny Deakin