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

Jenny and Tom at the Auditions for Toto

Jenny and Tom took a break from rehearsing for the World Championships and joined hundreds of other dogs and handlers in the auditions for Toto.

They did really well.

Read more about it HERE.

Kath and Jenny at Westglen HTM Show

Just a month after DFS Crufts 2010 - the first DFS Crufts HTM Competitions, holding Crufts Qualifiers for the Semi Final for DFS Crufts 2001 was held today. Amber and Kath were placed First

And Tom (Shepwood Morning Sunrise) with Jenny were placed second - so those teams are through to the Semi Finals to be held in January 2011 by Rugby DTC - one of the main sponsers of Team GB.

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

Why I Love Heelwork To Music ................ by Jenny Deakin

I love training new behaviours and testing the strength of my dog’s learning when I interpret the music and add dance moves. I really enjoy listening to music and imagining what Tom and I could do a certain piece of music. Everyone has their own style in this sport which makes it so diverse and on seeing some routines I often think “WOW, I would have never thought of doing that”.

And of course, the training keeps both Tom and me fit, dancing away to the music. We have been “caught out” on a number of occasions out on a walk boogieing away to my iPod!

Jenny Deakin with Shepwood Morning Sunrise FS N Ex, HTM I Ex

Jenny Deakin lives in the North Cotswolds with husband Ollie and four dogs: Millie (WSD) 8 years, Tom (BC) 6 years, Zac (WSD) 3 years and newest addition Bobby 11 months (mini poodle). Jenny started her Heelwork to Music journey with learning about clicker training and a foundation dog training knowledge; completing an OCN qualification in Canine Behaviour and Training. Jenny has a background in competing and teaching dance and aerobics. Jenny is also on the committee of Paws n Music Association.Jenny started in Heelwork to Music with the Paws n Music progress awards in 2007 and moved into competing with Tom in 2008. The pair now compete in Advanced Heelwork to Music, Intermediate freestyle, Novice Dressage and Advanced Dances with Dogs. Jenny also competes with her youngest collie Zac in agility, working at Senior level in UKA shows.

Jenny is the Team Leader for Heelwork To Music for the Kennel Club’s Dog Activities area at Crufts, where the team displays twice a day in Hall 3 and interacts with members of the public on the stand. Tom has been part of Crufts Dog Activities Team for three years demonstrating to the public the sport of Heelwork to Music but this year Tom will have to share this time with the youngest and cheekiest “Deakin” dog – mini poodle Bobby!Shepwood Morning Sunrise FS N Ex, HTM I Ex (Tom) is a 6 year old Tri Border Collie who Jenny describes as “a show off, a gentleman and a brilliant companion”. Tom loves long walks with his friends, eating fish and cuddles in front of the fire! Jenny and Tom love Crufts and look forward to it every year!

Jenny says “When I received my letter of being selected to represent Great Britain and the sport of Heelwork to Music, I was dancing around the kitchen and couldn’t stop smiling all day! I look forward to representing the country and the sport to the best of my ability. Tom and I cannot wait!”