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

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.

Why I Love Heelwork To Music ............... by Michelle Dodson

I have loved music, dance and dogs all my life so finding a sport which combines all three has been a real find for me. But the greatest thing about HTM is the amazing bond you develop with your dogs as you work, learn and grow together.

MIchelle Dodson and Kamarda Doctor Foster FS A Ex. HTM I Ex (Tamar)

Michelle lives in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire with her parents Carole and Steve and the dogs Tamar (10), Clifton (6) and Devon (1). Michelle became interested in dog sports in her mid-twenties after tagging along to Obedience Shows and HTM training sessions with her mum, Carole. Michelle started out competing in Obedience before turning her hand to Heelwork to Music some four years ago. With a background in dance, HTM was a logical next step. Since then she has been competing in both Advanced Freestyle and Obedience.

Outside the ring and her day job, Michelle is Secretary of the Paws n Music Association, the first and largest Heelwork to Music Association in the UK. She is also one third of the Cotswold Heelwork to Music Demonstration Team, founding member of K9HTM.com and supporting member of the Cotswold Dog Training School.

Michelle is delighted to be able to compete at the World Championships with her Black and White Border Collie, Kamarda Doctor Foster FS A Ex. HTM I Ex., pet name Tamar. Tamar is a ten year old black and white Border Collie and a veteran of the sport. Tamar started out in Breed before deciding he wanted to do something more taxing to do where he could have the ring all to himself! For Tamar the more complicated the routine is, the better.

Having worked in Obedience and Heelwork To Music, Tamar and Michelle came third in the Crufts Freestyle Finals in both 2008 and 2009 and are looking forward to 2010. This will be Tamar’s last (but not least) year in competition having had a highly successful career so they are aiming to go out on a high. Tamar is a wise owl and has learnt hundreds of moves over the years which he will happily pull out of the bag for a piece of cheese!

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.

February 2010 Online Kennel Gazette

The FCI 2010 Heelwork To Music and Freestyle World Championship Team GB and UK Judge Karen Sykes have half a page spread in the October Edition of Kennel Gazette. You can read the Article on line. Just double click the pictured front cover and scroll through the pages to find the article.