WESTGLEN - support HTM Team GB

A wonderful weekend spent at the Westglen HTM Premier Competition.

HTM TEAM GB received a very welcome donation from Westglen HTM Club - thank you so much for your support which is greatly appreciated by all the Team members.

The competitors also supported HTM TEAM GB by taking part in several competitions put together by Karen which were run over the weekend, tuggies for sale hand made by Lucy Creek, towels given were all sold for donations and tennis balls sold too!  Plus a donation pot for loose copper or silver.

Thank you for supporting us in our efforts which raised over £100.

And HTM TEAM GB had fabulous results too with Lucy Creek with Skiffle  and Kath Hardman with Denby each winning a part of the large split class Advanced HTM Crufts Semi Final Qualifier and both qualifying for the HTM Semis to be held in January 2018.  (The top two scores qualify) Caroline Garrett and Fawkes have automatically qualified for the HTM Semi as she won Crufts HTM 2017.

In the Freestyle Crufts Semi Final Qualifier, Karen with Midge was first and Kim with Tyler a close second and again both have now qualified for the Freestyle Semis to be held in January 2018.   Lucy Creek with Skiffle has already automatically qualified for the Freestyle Semi as she won Crufts Freestyle 2017.

The qualifying places are still subject to official confirmation.

STREAMZ - Support HTM TEAM GB

Thank you StreamZ for supplying HTM Team GB with your DOG StreamZ smart-collars. 

StreamZ were keen to support the HTM Team GB and any of our retired dogs following successful sponsorship of our national agility teams. The technology lends well to helping competing dogs and the 'additional mobility' and 'improved recovery' reported as being key reasons to use their collars was of obvious interest to our handlers. A British invention supporting our British teams!  

The DOG StreamZ smart collar provides a unique approach to canine wellbeing, using a patented design based on resonance technology. Developed to cater for all breeds and available in three standard sizes, the design is based on the eye-catching StreamZ Global range.

The StreamZ material contained within the collar is designed to create day-to-day improvements in canine vitality, by rebalancing compounds and minerals in the body. For all dogs of all ages, for a long and healthy life.

Dog StreamZ users have reported significant improvements in their dog’s condition when wearing the Dog StreamZ smart collar. These relate to a range of symptoms, including arthritic conditions, energy levels, behavioural issues, stamina and general wellbeing.

Although developed to support clinical ailments with ageing dogs, StreamZ technology has shown to be beneficial for all of dogs of any age. Many of our endorsed agility trainers who compete at the highest international level support this view.

THANK YOU STREAMZ GLOBAL

The Puppy School - Major Sponsor

A massive THANK YOU to Gwen Bailey and the Puppy School for supporting the Heelwork To Music Team GB by being one of our Major Sponsors.

The PuppySchool is a UK network of training classes for young puppies.  PuppySchool tutors come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but all are carefully selected and monitored.  These professional tutors make the classes stimulating and fun for owners and puppies. 

Founder and Director of the Puppy School, Gwen Bailey

  

Gwen’s experience working amongst other things as Head of Animal Behaviour for one of the largest animal welfare charities for many years inspired her to set up the Puppy School. 

She saw in this work that many behaviour issues could lead to young dogs being rehomed. She felt the key to avoiding undesirable behaviour was to educate and support new owners during the early stages of puppy-hood and provide them with a strong foundation for the future.

Many PuppySchool graduates have gone on to achieve great things.  Amongst them is Sue Betteridge who won Freestyle HTM competitions at Crufts 2012 and again in 2013.

More recently Kim Lyddon and her Border Collie Tyler, who is a puppy school graduate have been Runner Up in Crufts HTM Freestyle competitions 3 years in a row in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Kim has now been selected to be part of the Heelwork To Music Team GB and will be competing in the Open European Championships in Belgium in August 2017.

To find out more about the Puppy School classes, locate a trainer or learn how to become a Puppy School tutor go to www.puppyschool.co.uk

THANK YOU "The Puppy School" for supporting HTM TEAM GB.  The Team all appreciate your help.

HTM TEAM GB Crowdfunding Page

HTM TEAM GB now have a Crowdfunding Page for any donations our followers would like to make!

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK HERE

Creek Family Dogs Make Their Own Movie!

This week the Creek family dogs have been busy filming their own movie, in an attempt to prove to the 'hoomans' that they are worthy of carrying the British flag at the OEC this year. Spider (the eldest dog in the household) did a great job at assembling the team and directing the picture!

You can see his results HERE

The HTM Team GB Auction Site

HTM TEAM GB have started an Auction Site where extremely kind companies and individuals have donated some fabulous items to auction in the next few weeks - take a look at some "Lots" which you could have won amongst items yet to go up for bidding on our Facebook Auction Site

Fabulous, Pets with Personality - ON SALE SOON

You cannot help but smile at this one item, a beautiful pair of kissing Jack Russells. Kindly donated by Foszies - Inspired Collectable Giftware and made by Arora. Their material, cermaistone gives them a lovely weighty feel and their special glaze gives their coats a super glossy finish.

Please follow this link to their website http://www.foszies.co.uk/

*****SOLD******* 

Thank you to the highest bidder Susan Steele. We hope you find the AQUAMAT TOWEL great!!!!      MORE ITEMS FROM AQUAMAT COMING SOON

FABULOUS ITEM!! This is a beautiful Microfibre towel kindly donated by http://www.aquamatdog.com/ Please check out this website for many other great dog products and LIKE their Facebook page too https://www.facebook.com/aquamatdogtowel/?fref=ts

COMING SOON!

Thank you to GWF Nutrition - Joint Aid for Dogs
NEW Product!    Joint Aid for Dogs + Muscle Maintenance ​
Contains Omega 3 and the Oatinol Delivery System
​Joint Aid for Dogs + Muscle Maintenance is a high specification complementary feed supplement.  Manufactured as very palatable 2mm pellets for quick and easy feeding; it provides a combination of 20 active nutraceuticals to maintain healthy joints, aid freedom of movement and support the natural regeneration of muscle regardless of age, size or level of exercise.

COMING SOON

Donated by HUNTER Pet UK Distributor of High Quality Products.
Dogs feel happy and content if they can move freely and without hindrance. The Hunter harness offers the best conditions for this. For puppies as well as strong pullers, a harness offers a greater degree of wearing comfort, as the pressure is spread over the chest and shoulder straps.

SOLD! 

One pair of Diamond Edge Scissors kindly donated by DIAMOND EDGE   Size as shown by measure!

 COMING SOON!

Kindly donated by The Company Of Animals - SLOW FEEDER
GREEN is a revolutionary way to turn a dog's meal into a challenging time-consuming game. Slowing down eating helps reduce the risk of bloat and the unpleasant after-effects of eating too fast, resulting in a happier and healthier dog.

ON SALE NOW UNTIL 1st April 2017

With thanks - Kindly donated by Vital Pet Products - K9 Kannon

Easy to use! Just pull back on the handle, Load ball and Shoot! - High Quality Construction - Hands free ball pick up - shoots up to 75 ft!

COMING SOON

Top off your look in style with this fabulous "Fascinator" kindly donated by Carol Bentley. Are you looking for that something Special for an upcoming wedding?  Maybe a routine in the plans where you could be ultra fashionable wearing this beautiful piece head decoration.

Keep your eyes open and follow this link to
 the Team's Fundraising and Auction Page.

CRUFTS 2017

Crufts 2017 was a very successful competition for the HTM Team GB Members who took part.

Lucy Creek  won the British Freestyle Final on the Thursday with Skiffle - they worked to "Chimes at Midnight by Drew Lerdal and Danse Macabre performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra"  Video available HERE

Kim Lyddon placed second in the Freestyle Final with her dog Tyler working to "Medley of Eye of the Tiger by Survivor and Tubthumping by Chumbawumba"  Video available HERE

Karen Sykes placed 4th in the Freestyle Final with her dog Midge working to "Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel".  Video available HERE

Lucy Creek later represented England in the International Final where they placed 5th in an incredibly strong competition with 15 countries entered.

Caroline Garrett won the British Heelwork To Music Final on Friday with her dog Fawkes working to "Phantom Of The Opera performed by Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley."  Video available HERE

Lucy Creek and Skiffle placed second place in the Heelwork To Music Final working to  "Fix You by Cold Play"  Video available HERE

Karen Sykes with Midge placed fourth in the Heelwork To Music Final working to "Hungarian Dance Number 5"  Video available HERE

Kath Hardman with Denby in 8th place working to a "Pinocchio Medley by Nicola Piovani". Video available HERE

Huge thanks to Nicci Hindson for the videos.

Dog World pays tribute to HTM

Lucy Creek, Caroline Garrett and Karen Sykes - all HTM TEAM GB Members are mentioned in this report of Crufts 2017.  To read in full click HERE

Canine Freestyle GB - Major Sponsor

HTM Team GB are proud to announce that Canine Freestyle GB are Major Sponsors of the Team who will be competing at The Open European Championships in Belgium in August 2017.

The club has one of the largest memberships nationwide and has always supported every CFGB Member who has been selected for Team GB in previous years.  Team GB have competed in Championships since 2010 and these include The FCI World Championship in Denmark and The Open European Championships in Denmark, Holland and Germany.    

Canine Freestyle GB wish all Team Members and supporters the very best of luck in 2017.

Wilbury Veterinary Surgery Support

Caroline Garrett (HTM TEAM GB - HTM member) would like to say a big thank you to Peter and Anne at Wilbury Veterinary Surgery for supporting and sponsoring her as part of Team GB for our trip to the Open European Heelwork to Music Championships in Balen, Belgium, in August. 

Caroline is very excited about our selection by the Kennel Club and is delighted to have just returned from Crufts as Heelwork to Music Champions for the second year running. 

All the HTM Team GB Members would like to add their thanks for Wilbury Veterinary Surgery's donation towards sponsorship.

CSJ Dog Foods Major Sponsor

HTM Team GB is very pleased to announce that CSJ are a major sponsor of the Team.  The Team has worked with CSJ in the past and look forward to working with this company again during 2017.

Delighted to sponsor 

the Heelwork to Music Team GB 2017

At CSJ, we're very excited to be sponsoring the Heelwork to Music Team GB selected by The Kennel Club to represent Great Britain, in the Heelwork to Music Open European Championships to be held in Balen, Belgium in August 2017. A highly skilled group of 6 handlers with 7 very talented dogs, we can’t wait to see the performances that will showcase the best of Heelwork To Music and Freestyle in Great Britain.

Within the team, there are 4 Crufts winners, a World Champion and a European Champion.  Plus several of the handlers were part of a Silver medal winning team in the FCI World Championships and also part of a Gold and a Silver medal winning team at previous European Championships, as well as an exciting selection of young, up and coming dogs that have already been very successful at the top level of competition in this country.  Most of the team members competed in the HTM and Freestyle Finals at Crufts 2017.

Look out for the big bright CSJ logo on the jackets that the team members will wear (hopefully you won’t be able to miss them!). We think they look stunning. That’s all for now - but you’ll be hearing more from us! And massive good luck to:

Uniforms for the Team Dogs

HTM TEAM GB have always had Team Coats for the dogs entered in the overseas competitions and Lesley Neville has always been there with her needlework expertise to make coats when needed.

Although the competition is held in August, the dogs can still wear these lightweight coats for the opening and closing ceremonies along with the Prize Givings too!!!

The money received in payment for this year's coats has been very kindly donated back into Team GB funds by Lesley.

Thank you!!!

Lucy Heath and Indie (Stillmoor Winter Sun)

I live with my 6 dogs and 1 cat in Lincolnshire. Ash, an 11 year old Shetland Sheepdog, Trent, a 10 year old Smooth Collie, Indie, a 9 year old Border Collie, Foxy, a 4 year old Border Collie, Trip Hazard, a 3 year old Pomeranian x Maltese, Dizzy, a 1 year old Pomeranian x Maltese and Littlepuss, a 10 year old Siamese cat. 

Trip is an Advanced Freestyle and Intermediate Heelwork dog (and made it to the final of Britain's Got Talent 2016) and Foxy currently competes in Intermediate Freestyle and Heelwork. 

I started competing in September 2010 with Indie (Stillmoor Winter Sun) and we won up through the classes incredibly quickly. Indie has qualified for the Crufts finals in 2013, 2015 and 2016 where she took 3rd place in the Heelwork to Music final, which was the highlight of our Heelwork to Music career so far. 

Indie is very experienced and won the ITV show That Dog Can Dance on Boxing Day 2012, got 4 yeses and a standing ovation on her Britain's Got Talent audition 2015 and does advertising work.

Indie is the dog of my dreams and I couldn't wish for a better dance partner. She lives to train and work and she would never let me down - her only "issue" is getting too excited about working and sometimes being vocal. She is a complete "goodie two shoes" and so willing and obedient in every day life - she lives to please me and is a pleasure to live with. 

I let Indie down in the Crufts semi finals this year, due to being away from home for so long during the run up to the show in Pantomime with Trip, so I am absolutely honoured that we have been selected as the Heelwork to Music reserves for TEAM GB. I am excited to knuckle down and focus on Indie's routine and even if we are not competing, it will be a great experience to travel abroad with such a talented group of trainers - some of which I used to sit and watch when I was younger and only dream that I could do what they do.

Kim Lyddon and Tyler (Canen You Said What FS A Ex)

Team GB for Freestyle

I’m excited to be part of Team GB for the first time representing them in the OEC Freestyle Championships.  

I live, with Tyler my red and white Border Collie, in Cheshire along with Archie my 5-year old Pyrenean Sheepdog and the newest addition to my dog team, Rio a 5-month old chocolate and white border collie.  I have been in the sport for 6 years and focus on competing in Freestyle with both Tyler and Archie.  Like me they both love the sport.   

Kim with Tyler

Tyler and I have achieved great success coming runner up in the Crufts Freestyle Competition in both 2015 and 2016.  We are delighted to be in the Crufts Freestyle Final once again this year.

I started Heelwork to Music by chance at a club I attended where I originally intended to do obedience training and competing at Crufts.  I noticed they did Heelwork to Music classes and thought I’d have a go.  I was hooked and we’ve not looked back since.  I chose Freestyle because I love combining training my dog to do great fun moves together with the creative challenge of choreographing a story to music.

Kim and Tyler - Crufts 2015

It is amazing to think I have gone from watching those I admire in the sport to being mentored, encouraged and trained by them.  It has been a joy and I have enormous respect for all those in the sport who have made me so welcome. 

Kim and Tyler - Crufts 2016

I am now in the wonderful position of welcoming and training others who want to enjoy and experience this fun sport with their dogs.

Finally, I’d like to wish every success to all the competitors from all countries participating at the Open European Championships in Belgium.

Lucy Creek and Skiffle (Harriot Skiffle King HTM A Ex, FS A Ex) and Teasel (Dialynne Making Waves FS A Ex)

TEAM GB for Heelwork To Music and Freestyle

I live in Warwickshire with my husband and four dogs. The oldest two are beagles. Spider, 13yrs (and will be 14yrs the weekend of the OEC so his birthday party will have to wait until we get home!) was our first dog and has been retired for a number of years due to a back problem which gives him muscle shakes. It doesn't stop him enjoying his walks and playing with the youngest member of our family though.

Teasel, our other beagle, is now 11yrs, and although still very bouncy, I feel it has come time for her to retire so this will be her last competing year. She has not been the easiest dog to train as she is very slow at learning new things, and the beagle nose means she can become quite distracted but despite this she has always loved training and her tail never stops wagging when she is getting her one-on-one training time, so that makes it all worth while. She is an advanced freestyle dog and has appeared in the British freestyle final five times. 

Lucy and Teasel competing at Crufts

Skiffle (the border collie) is next. He is 7yrs and has become more and more confident as he has got older. He was quite a timid puppy and can still be quite sensitive. I always have to make sure training is very positive and upbeat. He can sometimes become a bit overexcited when he is competing and it can be quite a job keeping him calm. He does have a tendency to think I'm a bit of a spare part and he could do it much quicker and better without me! He is a very loving dog who will happily take a cuddle over a treat. He likes to keep busy and his main job at home is to herd the other three dogs, who I am sure would have a tendency to wander off if it wasn't for Skiffle keeping them together! 

Lucy and Skiffle - Winner Crufts FS 2015 & 2016
  Photo Allan Brown 

He has done very well in competition and has won, in various years, the Crufts British freestyle final (twice), the Crufts British Heelwork to Music final and the Crufts International Freestyle.

Lucy and Skiffle Winner Crufts HTM 2015 
Photo Allan Brown

Our latest addition is 1yr old Maple, a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. She is completely bonkers but very clever and very loving. She seems to be enjoying training so she may become a reasonable freestyle dog, though she does get very easily distracted and is also rather nervous of new environments so at the moment we are mostly doing things to boost her confidence.

Lucy and Skiffle Crufts International Freestyle Winners
Photo Demelza van der Lans

We are very happy to have been selected for the Team GB once again. We had a great time last time and hopefully it will be just as fun this time!

Karen Sykes and Midge (Kingsfarm Spring Surprise HTM A Ex, FS A Ex)

TEAM GB for Heelwork To Music and Freestyle

My first competition and judging appointment was in 2001.  Since then I have continued to compete, judge and teach but never did I imagine back then where this sport would take me.  Thanks to HTM I have travelled the world and made many great friends in the dog world and beyond.

Karen and Midge

I have represented Great Britain previously with 2 of dogs, Fly who won Crufts HTM in 2008 (Iatka Spring Spangle, 1/4/11 – 20/2/16), .....................

Karen and Fly - Winners of Crufts HTM  008

.................  and Erin (Our Irish Second Chance, 1/4/09).  Erin was Team GB Freestyle Reserve in 2013 in The Netherlands and Fly was selected for Team GB in 2011 in Demark, 2013 in The Netherlands and 2014 in Germany.  Sadly her health issues meant that I had to withdraw Fly from the team in 2013 and 2014 which meant that she never had the chance to defend her title of Open European Individual Heelwork to Music Champion which she won in 2011.  I was very proud that along with my team mates, Kath Hardman and Lesley Neville, Great Britain also won the Heelwork to Music Team Championship that year too.  Although unable to compete in 2014 I travelled with Team GB to Germany as Heelwork to Music Team Leader.

Karen and Fly after winning the Open European Individual HTM Championship

Honoured is the word I would use to describe how I feel to have been selected this year by the Kennel Club along with a very strong team.  I am thrilled to be working alongside every one of them and look forward to lots of fun and hard work over the coming months.

Representing Team GB with me is this year is my youngster, Midge (Kingsfarm Spring Surprise) who is a three year old Working Sheepdog.  Midge is the niece of Fly my previous Champion and shows great promise in the competition world.  She is a super companion, very relaxed at home but ready to go at a moment’s notice!  She is at her happiest when training and has continued to contribute to my education in dog training!  

Karen and Midge - Freestyle Routine

Speaking of dog training, I must give credit to Jo Hill who has changed my training methods and understanding of dogs over the past decade or so and continues to do so.  Also, credit must be given to my regular training buddy Annette Lowe who keeps an eye on me on a weekly basis.
Finally personal thanks go my constant companion, Allan.  He has been by my side since 1983 encouraging and supporting me to help me to achieve things that I would never have thought possible.  

Caroline Garrett and Fawkes (Wildsea Phoenix Of Fire HTM A Ex, OW)

TEAM GB for Heelwork To Music 

I live with my two dogs in West Sussex where we enjoy long walks across the South Downs. Both are my advanced dance partners in Heelwork to Music and as a team we are best buddies.    Fawkes also competes in Championship class obedience. 

Caroline and Fawkes

Fawkes is a 7 year old border collie. He is a highly motivated individual who seeks to please in everything he does. It is Fawkes' excitement and eagerness to please that has been a challenge to manage but also the key to his success. Fawkes has made two appearances at Crufts, first in 2015 where he finished second by a whisker to the fabulous Lucy Creek with Skiffle.

Caroline Garrett and Fawkes - placed 2nd in 2015

His second appearance was last year when he lifted the Crufts crown as winner of the 2016 Heelwork To Music Final with our interpretation of Tchaikovsky 's Swan Lake. 

Caroline and Fawkes - Crufts HTM Winners 2016

We are very excited to have been chosen to be part of Team GB, representing Great Britain at the Open European Championships. I am really looking forward to being part of the team whilst competing in a new environment with competitors from other nations.