The HTM Team Day

Friday was the day for the opening ceremony and the Heelwork To Music Teams to compete for the World Championship Title. The trophies and rosettes already on display.
Team GB led into the ring by Gina Pink - Team Manager with Bailey, followed by Kath Hardman and Amber and Penny Draper with Secret ..........................

Followed by Carole Dodson and Clifton and Jenny Deakin with Tom.

............................. and Michelle Dodson with Tamar.

Team GB looked great in their uniforms - red jackets (Crazydogs)with the logos of their main Sponsors Rugby DTC, Belgian Shepherd Dog Association, Paws N Music Association and Canine Freestyle GB. Navy trousers, black shoes and white embroidered T Shirts. The dogs each wore a Union Jack Dog Coat! No mistaking the Team were representing Great Britain! The three judges - Karen Sykes, Head Judge - England, Marleen Van Hees - Belgium and Carina Enevoldsen - Denmark. Karen made all the competitors very welcome with her opening speech. The President of the FCI Obedience Commission Mr Johann Kurzbauer followed with an enthusiastic speech opening the Inaugral FCI World HTM Championships

Ready for action - the Heelwork To Music Team now had their work to do. The nerves began not only for the British HTM competitors but all of the Team as they realised that the competition that they had prepared long and hard for was actually starting; from training the dogs, choreographing routines, the massive task of the fundraising and finding sponsors – yes, it really had started!!!!

Gina Pink was the first British competitor; the HTM team had drawn a running order of 8th in the event. Gina and Bailey (Daraydala Piccolo) performed to a funky Black Eye Peas' number.

Their final score was 22.57 which left them just outside the top ten who would go through to the final on Sunday. Kath Hardman with Amber (Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FS I Ex) was second to compete for Great Britain performing to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.

Amber was on top form and they gave a lovely performance. They finished the day on the highest score of 28.60 which took them into the Individual Competition to be held Sunday. And the third team member, Carole Dodson with Clifton (Kinaway Dr. Watson) performing to an Escala Compilation. Clifton is a stunning dog to watch and he did not disappoint. Clifton’s breeder, Kathy, was in the audience and she was very proud too; thank you Kathy for your company and support throughout the whole competition. They scored 27.30 which took them into the final to be held Sunday.The Team made a discovery on the FCI HTM blog, that this was updated throughout the competition with the scores so they were finding out the judges scores prior them being announced at the end of the competition! Jenny and David were keeping tally on where the team was, which was rather exciting as HTM TEAM GB were delighted to be placed second with a score of 78.47. Denmark won the Team Competition with a score of 81.14 and The Czech Republic were placed third with a score of 73.03.

Carole and Clifton and Kath and Amber qualified through to the individual HTM finals which were held on the Sunday. This individual final would title the first World Champion in HTM.

The Team's benches covered in Good Luck Cards and the Blue and Silver Rosettes for the HTM Team's second place.

The Team thank everyone for their support and good luck wishes - looks like they worked!

The Practice Day - Thursday

The Team arrived at the venue for the 2010 World dog show early as Jenny had been invited to demo her reserve HTM routine in the main arena.

It was a short walk from the Car Park to the HTM/FS Arena but the Team were pleased they had taken their sturdy trolleys.The Team stuck together like glue for their first venture into the massive venue. Main Sponsor of the event was Eukanuba.Ted had a short break taking in the scene and the atmosphere! On getting there, the team began setting up camp in the HTM teams' area! Cages, cards, bunting and pictures all filled the HTM Team GB area, giving it some colour and throughout the 4 days received many compliments about it! One person saying we have heard about this decorating the area from Crufts!

The Main Arena - all ready for the show to begin..Jenny and Tom in the warm up area.Jenny’s demo went very well and being in the spotlight performing her routine was somewhat of a new thing! Tom did not bat an eyelid and was on true Tom form! The routine even had some coverage on a local Danish TV news programme who were explaining about the World Dog Show and the events taking place there. The team returned to the HTM Hall waiting for the allocated practice times in the HTM competition ring. Each team had a HTM and Freestyle time to practice in the ring. There was also a warm up ring just behind the competition ring which was very useful throughout the whole competition.
The team’s times were used effectively walking through their routines, floor plans and checking movements on the ring’s red carpet.

Whilst the HTM competitors were preparing for the start of the competition there were other events going on in the World Dog Show and some of the team saw the Obedience and Breed showing too. It was amazing to see some breeds that we do not have in this country, or maybe not very often!
Thursday night there was a prearranged Team dinner where some of the competitors had a a chance to dine together, getting to meet other Team members.

The Accomodation - in Denmark

The Team arrived at the house - not easy as it wasn't signed and the Sat Nav couldn't pick it up since in the middle of a field. But at least it would be quiet and no neighbours for the Team to annoy!

Plenty of room for parking too! The house was found on the Internet with help of Emmy Simonsen (Thanks Emmy). 6 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, utility room, 3 bathrooms, a lounge and a games room - but very cheap. Only problem was that it needed cleaning - top to bottom!

Michelle taking a little time out with book, Tom and Teddy.

And sleepy Amber - well it had been a long journey!

And sleepy David too - but only after he had cleaned the oven and washed and sorted crockery and cutlery for the 7 staying in the house! Remember - he was going to be spending 9 days with 6 women and 6 dogs!

One morning - a sea fret crept in - the journey to the venue in Herning was an hours drive away so the fog wasn't going to help matters!

A good roomy kitchen plenty of space for prepping the night's meals and breakfast which Team GB did every day!

And it was Kath and David's Wedding Anniversary whilst there too - a surprise party was waiting for them both on the Saturday night! Balloons, cards, love hearts, champagne, cake, chocolate and a steak dinner!!

Amber checking that the cleaning had been done!!!

Whoops - no it hadn't so Penny did more cleaning after the previous occupants!!

The Games Room - shame the floor was so slippy! But it was used for careful training the day before the competition began - and for watching the World Cup!!!

Planning the menu! The Team took on all the tasks required to keep the home running smoothly! And not one argument all week!!

The beautiful Church in the village. These fields had hares running in them both morning and night.

There were some good features of the "BIG" house - the Team all had their own space - very important in competition mode!

More on the Ferry from Harwich to Esjberg

The top Bunk in one of the cabins! Well at least Jack the Team's ted looked comfortable :-) Ted looking out across the stern of the ship and the deck area where the Team could exercise their dogs at given times.
Penny - on a deck a bit higher than she felt comfortable! Well done Penny - you did it!!!

"Are we there yet?????"
At last - 17 hours later and the Team landed in Esjberg, Denmark.

The journey continued for a couple more hours before the Team found their accommodation.

All travelled on convoy - Kath, David and Penny in the lead car, followed by Carole and Gina in the centre car and holding up the rear was Jenny and Michelle - all drivers muttering "Remember to keep on the RIGHT!!!".

HTM Team GB - the Cabaret Night

Tuesday 27th April 2010 - the Big Fund Raising Event. Held at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh. A beautiful evening - and an enthusiastic audience. What could be better?

The Team were proud to be introduced into the ring wearing their HTM Team GB uniforms to open the show. Jackets supplied and designed by "Crazydogs" with a superb Union Jack Paw Print on the back, featuring the four Main Sponsors of HTM Team GB - Rugby DTC, Belgian Shepherd Dog Association of GB, Paws N Music Association and Canine Freestyle GB.Many thanks to Dave Ray who gave up his time and supplied the PA equipment and great commentary throughout the evening.

All photographs featured on the blog are thanks to Allan Brown, who was kept busy from the moment he arrived!

Firstly the GB Heelwork to Music Team were introduced.
Gina Pink with "Bailey" Daradala Piccolo HTM I Ex German Spitz

Carole Dodson and "Clifton" Kinaway Doctor Watson HTM A Ex. FS A Ex. B Ex Border Collie

Kath Hardman and "Amber" Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FS I Ex Border Collie

Then was the GB Freestyle Team - Michelle Dodson and "Tamar" Karmarda Doctor Foster FS A Ex, HTM I Ex
Jenny Deakin and "Tom" Shepwood Morning Sunrise FS N Ex, HTM I Ex Border Collie

Sadly missing from the evening, due to work commitments, was Penny Draper with Delark Gavotte FS I Belgian Shepherd (Terveruen). She was in our thoughts though!

Each member performed a routine or two - this is Jenny and Tom - they are the Reserve Dog and Handler for HTM, dancing to "Sing Sing Sing" by The Spitfire Band. Jenny loves this track and is avid fan of Strictly Come Dancing, where she first heard a version of track. Jenny has already qualified, with this routine, for the 2011 dfsCrufts semi-finals to be held in January 2011 by Rugby Dog Training Club, one of the main sponsors of Team GB .

Followed by Carole Dodson and Clifton - the Reserve handler and dog for Freestyle performing a "Pirate" routine. Clifton got a big cheer from the audience when he found the treasure!

Gina with Bailey performing an HTM Routine. Bailey and Gina performed to some very moving music - demonstrating all the different positions which the HTM team will need at the Champs.

Michelle and Tamar - performing a Freestyle Routine to "Busker Alley". The track is from a musical and tells the story of a busker called Charlie who spends his life entertaining the crowds on the streets of London.

The team was very honoured and grateful that Mary Ray also joined in the night's entertainment performing her 2010 DFS Crufts routine.

Kath Hardman also joined in with another of her dogs, crossbreed Spice with their Crufts 2008 winning Freestyle Routine to "If I Only Had A Brain". This helped show how GB also has some great non-pedigree dogs working in the sport.

This was followed by the very popular auction which raised over £500. Thank you to everyone who bid for items and those who gave items for the auction.

After the short interval, Michelle and Tamar completed another Freestyle routine, performing to "Another Cup Of Tea". The crowd, mesmorised by the storyline, could see how much Tamar loves this routine - this team were placed 3rd with this routine the first time they ever performed in the Crufts Freestyle Finals.

Kath and Amber performing a Heelwork To Music routine to "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand. A piece of music which lends itself to Heelwork To Music with its forever changing of pace and phrasing. Kath and Amber have already qualified for the DFS Crufts 2011 Semi Finals with this routine and they were placed 2nd at the DFS Crufts HTM Final held in March 2010.

And Jenny with Tom performing to Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nultini.

An upbeat number that leaves Jenny rather breathless at the end!!! Tom won't be – shows Jenny up!
Jenny is a secret (not anymore!) country and western fan from her many trips to the USA in her childhood and where her Dad now lives for most of the year! This is where the theme of this routine was inspired from…

And to close the evening's entertainment, Carole and Clifton took to the floor performing their Crufts 2010 winning HTM Routine to "Escala". Carole’s interpretation took us into the world of a Russian Secret Agent, which does not know whether to run and hide or stay and fight. But of course she eventually is saved by her trusty dog Clifton!

Once again - thank you to everyone who supported this event.