Kath Hardman at DFS Crufts 2010

Kath had a very busy Crufts 2010 - starting with the Freestyle Final on Thursday. Kath had two dogs in the final so had quick costume changes between the two routines.

All photographs on this page Courtesy of Allan Brown

Her first dog in the ring was Spice (Winner of the Crufts Freestyle and International Final in 2008) Props can get in the way!! But the skipping rope behaved and so did Spice finishing in 5th Place with their routine to Mr Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra.

Her next dog in the ring was drawn last in the class and it was just too warm in the waiting area, but Amber did very well and they completed a graceful freestyle routine to Dean Martin's Sway finishing in 7th place.

On Friday it was time for competing in the Heelwork To Music Final and again Kath had managed to qualify two dogs for this competition. First to work was Kath and Tipp, her rescue Working Sheepdog. They danced to (I) CanCan (You) by Vanessa Mae - a very fast piece of music which suits Tipp and Kath. They finished the competition in 9th place.

And finishing in 2nd Place was Amber - the dog Kath will be competing with in the World Championships. Amber worked enthusiatically for Kath and they were honoured to repeat the performance under the spotlights at the end of the afternoon's entertainment.

Meanwhile - Kath and her friends from the Top Lodge Dancing Dog Team found time to entertain at the Joint Aid For Dogs stand.And also for an hour, Karen and Kath both entertained on the Samsung Stand on Saturday.

And finally, Kath finished her Crufts with a demonstration on the Flexi Lead Stand along with Karen from Top Lodge Dancing Dogs.

A busy, successful and thoroughly enjoyable four days at Crufts 2010.

Dogs from Stroud led the pack at this year's Crufts

This was the headline in today's Stroud News And Journal with a feature about Carole and Michelle Dodson's recent success at dfs Crufts 2010.Carole with Clifton were the Winners of the Heelwork To Music Final and Michelle with Tamar were the Runners Up in the Freestyle Competition.

What a great start to 2010! Well done Carole and Michelle.

Carole Dodson at DFS Crufts 2010

Carole had her very best experience at DFS Crufts 2010. Carole and Clifton were the worthy winners of the Heelwork To Music Final held on Thursday in the Main Arena.

They were the 9th team to run in the competition and performed their very best to take the lead and win.

Carole and Clifton performed to "Escala Mix".

Carole had a very busy Crufts 2010, she was the DFS Crufts Final Competition Co-ordinator on Thursday and Saturday, ensuring that competitors and judges were adequately provided for and that the Stewards knew their tasks and places. Carole also entertained on the Samsung Stand on Friday showing the attending public various displays of Heelwork To Music and Freestyle with her daughter Michelle and their dogs Clifton, Tamar and Devon.

Towards the end of the attractions in the Main Ring on Friday, Carole and Clifton were delighted to be invited back into the main Arena to perform their winning routine in the fabulous spotlights.

A Crufts to remember!

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Michelle Dodson at DFS Crufts 2010

Michelle had a fabulous time at DFS Crufts 2010. She was placed second in the Freestyle Competition on the Thursday in the massive Arena dancing to "Busker Alley". Her routine went really well, with great musical interpretation and she used the huge space well.

Tamar is a very hard working and willing dog but Michelle decided that it was time he was to be retired at Crufts - he had a lovely retirement party at the benches with drink and cake. But this isn't the last time you will see them working together. He will be taking part in the HTM Team GB Cabaret Night on 27th April 2010 and of course his last competition will be when he takes part in the World Championships in June 2010 in Denmark.

They finished Thursday with another performance of the routine in front of an ever increasing audience to close the entertainment before the evening programme.
Then Friday was another busy day for Michelle as she was the Crufts Co-ordinator of stewards and competitiors for the competition. She also joined her mum, Carole in entertaining on the Samsung Stand in Hall 3.
On Saturday she joined forces with Carole to help with the organising of the competitors and stewards for the International Competition - with 13 Countries taking part - this was an enormous task which they carried out to perfection. Well done.

Penny Draper at DFS Crufts 2010

Penny was at DFS Crufts for just one day due to work commitments, but she still managed to put time into helping demonstrate Heelwork To Music in the Dog Activities Area in Hall 3.Tally was her dancing partner and she performed impecably showing some Freestyle and Dressage moves.Tally and Penny were the proud recipients of the Paws N Music Novice Dog of the Year award for 2009. Congratulations Penny.

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 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.

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.

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Why I Love Heelwork To Music ........... by Kath Hardman

Heelwork to Music came into my life when I had a dog with serious behavioural problems. After training Heelwork to Music and developing ideas for new "moves" with her, our relationship changed to one of respect and love for each other, all the behaviour became more positive and acceptable.

Kath & Spice - not the dog with serious behaviour problems!
Photo Courtesy of Allan Brown

“Dancing" changed our outlook on life and as HTM is still in the process of developing so are the relationships between all trainers and their dance partners. This is a sport for those who want to keep fit and love music, dance and being actively involved in a partnership with their dogs."

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.

See you at the FCI HTM & Freestyle Championship

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!

"Why I Love Heelwork To Music ................ by Gina Pink

Gina says "I love HTM because every breed of dog can take part

and bring to the sport their own individual chararcters;

it keeps the dogs and me fit!

and it merges my love of dog training

with my love of music very well."

HTM Team GB & Mary Ray Cabaret Night

For one night only:
A Cabaret Night with HTM Team GB
Jenny Deakin, Carole Dodson, Michelle Dodson,
Penny Draper, Kath Hardman and Gina Pink,
and Mary Ray

Plus a very special Auction, “Bumper” Raffle &
Lucky Number Entry Ticket Draw.

Tuesday 27th April 2010
7pm to 10pm
The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

For information & ticket sales:
http://www.teamgbhtm.blogspot.com/ or Email HTMTeamGB@live.co.uk
Contact Kath Hardman 07759909101
Or Jenny Deakin 01608 682314

A NIGHT NOT TO BE MISSED!

Advance Tickets now on sale!
£10/adult £3/child, discounts on bulk purchases
On the night £15 Adults - £5 Child

Cheques made payable to HTM Team GB and send to Kath Hardman,
CFGB, PO BOX 7680, Alfreton, DE55 9BX with SAE please.

If you would like a poster to promote this night at your local clubs,
workplace or dog venues, please contact Jenny
for one to be sent via email

Thank you

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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!”

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!

Kath Hardman with Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FS I Ex (Amber)

Kath Hardman and her dogs have been successfully competing in Heelwork To Music since 1999, travelling throughout the British Isles and within Europe. She is a Member of the Kennel Club, the Kennel Club Heelwork To Music Working Party and the Kennel Club Judges' Working Party and she is also a Heelwork To Music Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (Judges).Kath was honoured to be invited by the Kennel Club to judge the HTM and Freestyle Competitions at Crufts in 2006. In 2008, with her Crossbreed "Spice", she won both the Crufts Freestyle Final and went on to represent England in the Crufts International Freestyle Final which she is delighted to have won, beating the ten other countries competing.

Photo Courtesy of Allan Brown

Currently, Kath has three “Dancing Dogs”, (Tipp, Spice and Amber) all successfully competing in both divisions (Heelwork To Music and Freestyle) at the Advanced level. She has judged, demonstrated and trained the sport of Heelwork To Music throughout the UK and also in Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Eire, The Czech Republic, Switzerland and soon to be training in Finland and Australia. She has also travelled to Japan, Israel and USA to promote the sport further.

Together with her talented pets, Kath has performed on stage at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, at Pet Expo and twice at the Northern Ireland International Horse Show. She has featured in many live TV appearances: BBC ‘Blue Peter’, ITV ‘This Morning’, ‘Brilliant Creatures’, ‘The Feelgood Factor’, ‘Animal Road Show’ & ‘Good Morning’, Channel 4 “Its Me Or The Dog”, "The Big Breakfast" & ‘The Richard and Judy Show’ and many local TV and radio stations.

Kath and her dogs are proud to be members of The Top Lodge Dancing Dog Team – a group of three Advanced Handlers who travel the country demonstrating the sport of Heelwork To Music and Freestyle. She is also a founder member and Show Secretary of Canine Freestyle GB, a nationwide Heelwork To Music Kennel Club Registered Club who produce two highly successful and popular Heelwork To Music Competitions per year.

Photo Courtesy of Allan Brown

The dog she will be competing with at the Inaugural FCI 2010 Heelwork To Music & Freestyle World Championships is Stillmoor Lady In Red HTM A Ex, FS I Ex, pet name Amber. Amber is a 4 year old Red and White Border Collie and is maturing into a beautiful dog. She is the youngest dog to have ever competed in the Crufts Finals when she was under two years of age. Amber has been competing at Crufts for the last consecutive 3 years and has recently qualified for the DFS Crufts Finals for both HTM and Freestyle to be held in March 2010. She is developing into the perfect dancing partner for Kath. Amber loves her training and the rewards that go with it especially, her tuggy and the ‘Chuck It’.

Kath is honoured to have been selected with Amber to represent Great Britain and will be competing enthusiastically for the GB Freestyle Team. Amber is also the named reserve dog for the Heelwork To Music Team.

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!

Carole Dodson with Kinaway Doctor Watson HTM A Ex, FS A Ex (Clifton)

Carole lives in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, with her husband Steve, daughter Michelle and the dogs Clifton (6), Tamar (10) and Devon (1). Carole developed her passion for dog training from an early age and joined her first Dog Training Club at the age of 14. Having trained and competed successfully in Breed and Obedience since her teens, she became hooked on Heelwork To Music in 1999. By 2001 she was competing regularly in competitions and swiftly worked her way up the classes as well as keeping up with the Obedience.

Carole jointly runs the Cotswold Dog Training School where she teaches puppies basic obedience through to advanced Obedience, Heelwork To Music and Paws n Music progress awards. She is a founding member of the Cotswold Heelwork To Music Demonstration team and of K9HTM.com. Carole is the Treasurer of the West of England Border Collie Club and the Chairperson of the Paws in Music Association, the first and largest Heelwork to Music Association in the UK.

Years of dedication and success in the sport culminated in having the honour of judging the Crufts Heelwork to Music and Freestyle Finals in 2009, including the International Freestyle Final and Young Kennel Club Finals.

Carole will be teaming up with Kinaway Doctor Watson HTM A Ex. FS A Ex. B Ex., pet name Clifton. Clifton is a six year old black and white Border Collie. Clifton is working in both the Advanced Heelwork to Music and Freestyle classes and ‘C’ in Obedience. He has competed in the Crufts Finals for Heelwork to Music twice now and has also previously won West of England Versatility Award two years running as well as West of England Best Obedience Dog Award. If he were human he would be a Victorian Gent, complete with smoking pipe!

All who meet him can see he is one of those "once in a lifetime" dogs so Carole is over the moon to have the opportunity to show him off to the World. Clifton is going to be competing in the Heelwork to Music Competition and is reserve for the Freestyle Team.

Gina Pink and Daraydala Piccolo HTM I Ex (Bailey)

Gina Pink has been competing in Heelwork To Music since 1997. She is a Member of the Kennel Club; sits on the KC HTM Working Party and represents Heelwork To Music on the KC Activities Sub-Committee; she is also a KC Accredited Trainer in Heelwork To Music and has organised the Heelwork To Music Final competitions at Crufts since 2006. Gina will be judging the HTM Finals, the International and YKC Finals at DFS Crufts this year but in 2007 she won the Crufts HTM class with her working sheepdog, Tapper. Gina takes regular classes in Heelwork To Music in the south-east of England and has also taught the sport in Ireland, Denmark and Canada. Gina was also a trainer on the “Underdog Show” and “Richard and Judy”. She promotes the sport by being a member and Vice-Chairman of the Paws N Music Association for whom she is also their Show Manager for their three annual shows. Gina and her seven dogs have demonstrated regularly at Crufts in the YKC and Dog Activities rings. She has also demonstrated Heelwork To Music on various television shows such as the “Underdog Show”, BBC "Morning News" and "The Apprentice", as well as at numerous charity events across the south-east. Gina will be competing at the Inaugural FCI 2010 Heelwork To Music and Freestyle World Championships in Denmark with Bailey, a German Spitz (Mittel). Bailey was initially fostered by Gina and her husband, Gary, when he was just turning a year old. Within a week, Bailey found his way into Gina’s heart and has lived in the "Pink" household ever since. Bailey is a very loyal and loving dog and is a great ambassador for his breed, promoting not only his good looks but also the working side of the Spitz. His favourite past-times are chasing the collies and Bonio -time! Bailey is currently the only German Spitz to have qualified to work in the Advanced Heelwork To Music class in the United Kingdom.

Gina was extremely excited to have been selected with Bailey to represent Great Britain and was even more honoured to have been selected as TeamGB’s Manager. Gina said “this is all very exciting and a great honour for Bailey and I. We will do our best to make Great Britain proud of us in Denmark”.

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.