The Freestyle Team Day

Friday was the Competition Day for all the Freestyle Teams.

Running first in the Team GB Freestyle was Penny Draper and Secret (Delark Gavotte) a Belgian Shepherd.

After a tentative start both Penny and Secret performed some great moves to "The Man In The Iron Mask"

And they finished on 15.50 points.

The second team member for Team GB was Jenny Deakin with Tom (Shepwood Morning Sunrise) a Border Collie.

A fast paced routine to "A Pencil Full Of Lead" they covered the entire ring with a confident routine.

And it's a "High Five" from Tom as they finished with 25.53 placing them 11th - just missing the Individual Competition on Sunday.

And the final member of Team GB Freestyle was Michelle Dodson with Tamar(Kamarda Doctor Foster)

This was a lovely routine which matched both Michelle's and Tamar's style of work.

They completed the round in superb fashion scoring 26.57 and secured themselves a place in the Individual FS Championship Competition to be held Sunday.

Team GB Freestyle - Michelle & Tamar, Jenny & Tom, Carole & Clifton (reserve) and Penny & Secret. The team finished the day in 5th place with a total score of 67.60.

1st Position went to The Czech Republic with 81.64, 2nd to Denmark with 77.60 , 3rd to Russia with 75.40

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.

Why I Love Heelwork To Music ....... By Penny Draper

HTM for me combines a number of my favourite things. I have always loved working with animals, initially horses and then dogs, and being able to do this sport that combines this with my love for music and dance is a treatI enjoy the challenge of training my dog, and then working in partnership with her to create a routine inspired by the story in the music. It is a sport but also involves a number of other skills such as costume design, music editing and prop design being just a few of the skills I have learned along the way.

Penny Draper with Delark Gavotte FS I (Secret)

Penny Draper lives in Lincoln with her partner Nick and three dogs: Jack (Flatcoated Retriever) 10, Tally (BSD) 5, and Secret (BSD) 4. Last year she was diagnosed with breast cancer which was followed by a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. This meant she had a lot of time at home which she used for training and she attributed this to her success during last year when she won through to Advanced in Freestyle with Secret.

Penny started training HTM with Jack at Louth and District Dog Training Club in 2003 and then was joined by Tally a year later. Secret followed quickly and unexpectedly after a social visit to Tally's breeder. Penny found herself driving home with a puppy in her lap (she wasn't driving!)

Penny is a member of the Paws n Music Committee and the Newsletter Editor. She enjoys helping to run the shows, has taken and passed her "Requirements of a HTM Judge" exam and has judged at all levels throughout the country.

Jack, her Flatcoated Retriever decided that while dancing was not for him jumping into water was, and at Dash n Splash events he qualified as the British and European Champion and was asked to go to America to represent GB in their WorldChampionships.This trip was the highlight of his life.

Secret was not a very confident puppy, and for a long time it looked as though she would not compete, when all of a sudden something clicked and she began to enjoy herself. This renewed motivation lead to consistent placing in competition and Secret quickly won through the classes and she now competes in Advanced Freestyle.

Photograph courtesy of Allan Brown

Secret enjoys her walks and her training, and being chased by Tally. She hates being groomed and loves her weekly treat of tuna. Secret's favourite move is jumping and this features in the new routine that is being prepared for the World's.Penny was still recovering from the thrill of winning into Advanced and qualifying for the Crufts Semi Finals when she heard she had been selected for Team GB. She says she was excited and scared all at once!