The Venue, Preparations and the Competition

After a good night's sleep in the hotel,
the team moved on to the venue to check out the facilities

The hall was totally empty
so the Team took time to check their plans for the routines

  

Fabulous area at the venue for walking the dogs.



And it was one of the few areas that dogs could be run off lead -
what a bonus

Back at the hotel - the other teams were arriving -
this was the Belgium supporters gear!

Goodness!!! 
This competitor looks like they meant business!!!!

Time to attach the Good Luck cards the team had received
to one of the Union Flags!!

Don't they look good?  Can you see yours?

Time to join the other 12 Countries for the Welcome Dinner

Team GB making the most of their uniforms :-)

Cards and Good Luck presents were exchanged -
the atmosphere was great

Show Manager Iben introduces herself
and sets out the format for the following days.

Karen and Fly performing Hernando's Hideaway -
thanks to Vincianne Hubbert for these photos

HTM TEAM GB - Open European Team Champions

The cheering was deafening!  What an experience!

And Karen with Fly and their huge cup -
Individual HTM Open European Champions 

Sorry - the Team doesn't have any photographs yet of Freestyle Day, but are pleased that Team GB were placed fourth and Lesley with Angus 4th and Kath with Spice 7th in the Individual Championship.

Unfortunate News

Unfortunate news from yesterday.   Kathleen Stubbings has informed the Kennel Club that she has had to withdraw from Team GB and the forthcoming Championships to be held in Denmark next month.

Team GB now stands as follows :
Heelwork To Music Team:
Karen Sykes – Iatka Spring Spangle HTM A Ex (Fly)
Kath Hardman – Stillmoor Lady In Red FCI HTM WCh 2010, HTM A Es, FS I Ex (Amber)
Lesley Neville – Choxxstart Dream Angus FS A Ex, HTM A Ex (Angus)

Freestyle Team:
Lesley Neville – Choxxstart Dream Angus FS A Ex, HTM A Ex   (Angus)
Kath Hardman – September Spice FS A Ex (Spice)
Kath Hardman – Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Es, FS I Ex (Amber)

The competition alllows a team of four dogs to compete with the highest 3 scores counting towards the Team Total  - so Team GB is still able to compete as a full team in both HTM and Freestyle.

Local Press Article

The Derbyshire Press contacted HTM Team GB for a photo and details of the forthcoming competition.
The Team hope that people will support them by raising the funds needed for travel, accommodation, competing and the compulsory veterinary treatment needed before the return journey.

Team GB Announced



Lesley with Angus, Kath with Spice and Amber and Karen with Fly

The Danish Kennel Club has accepted the Great Britain Team entry for the 2011 European Open Championships. The teams were selected carefully and are comprised of the following members:

HTM Team: Karen Sykes – Iatka Spring Spangle HTM A Ex
Kath Hardman – Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Es, FS I Ex
Lesley Neville – Choxxstart Dream Angus FS A Ex, HTM A Ex

Freestyle Team: Kath Hardman – September Spice FS A Ex
Kath Hardman – Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Es, FS I Ex
Lesley Neville – Choxxstart Dream Angus FS A Ex, HTM A Ex

9 Days to go!

Just 9 days before HTM Team GB leave for the competition in Denmark.

Preparations are going really well - the team members live quite some distance away from each other (except Carole and Michelle Dodson) so practice is not being carried out on a team basis.

The Team Members are all very involved with the sport of HTM and Freestyle and are already competing hard as there is a big competition in Great Britain once or twice a month at the moment with around 200 entries per competition. Because of this, the Team's dogs are in constant training which is good as this means they do not need to intensify training for the World Championships.

Kath Hardman and Amber have competed at 3 competitions in the past 8 days so their training and practicing is continuing gradually with lots of play and reward and lots of "time out" too. They have been making sure over the past two months that their training is kept very motivated.

Photo courtesy of Allan Brown - Official Photographer for the World HTM & FS Championships

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.

Kath and Amber Make The News!

The local Derbyshire newspaper (Derby Telegraph) contacted Kath a couple of weeks ago - asking if anything interesting was happening in the "World of Dogs". After Kath had updated the reporter on Top Lodge Dancing Dogs' successes at DFS Crufts, Kath was then able to give them the news that her dog Amber had been selected for HTM Team GB for the World Competition being held in Denmark in June 2010. She also told them that another of the Top Lodge Dancing Dog Team had been invited to be Head Judge at this prestigious event.

You can read the article which was printed on 7th April 2010 here.

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.

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 Carole Dodson

I love the satisfaction of putting together and teaching the dog new moves and routines. My dogs are my partners and my friends.We have great fun in this sport and it is a way of really achieving something special when everything comes together on the day. There is nothing better than seeing a dog and handler working in harmony together.

HTM Team GB at Crufts

The Crufts Semi Finals were held on Saturday 30th January 2010 at Stoneleigh in zero conditions!!

Through to the Crufts Heelwork To Music Final are Carole Dodson with Kinaway Doctor Watson HTM A Ex, FS A Ex who were placed 3rd and Kath Hardman with Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FSI Ex who were placed 4th.

Through to the Crufts Freestyle Final are Michelle Dodson with Kamarda Doctor Foster HTM I Ex, FS A Ex who were placed 4th and Kath Hardman with Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FS I Ex who were placed 8th.

Team Member Gina Pink is one of the three judges for all three days of HTM and FS at Crufts.

Another Team Member, Jenny Deakin will be busy at Crufts as she is organising the Dog Activities Section for Heelwork To Music where Penny will also be demonstrating.

The Team

Selection of HTM Team GB was made early December at a meeting held at the Kennel Club. Those selected were informed just prior to Christmas and they now eagerly await the Press Release announcing the team members.