Tuesday 8 October 2013

Thoughts from The Team GB Leader

I am a rain drop what can I do?
I love the feel of gentle summer rain on my face, especially after a long hot summer like this one.  My plants need it to flourish in my garden.  Even my strongest horse chestnuts need it or they will die.
The strength of these small drops is only understood when you follow their passage over the earth.  They join into streams and rivers which can cut through the landscape and make lakes and seas.  These can erode and build coastlines.  Water in its frozen form can break metal and shatter mountains into tiny bits, then carry them for hundreds of miles.  Are you getting my gist?
The Team UK at the Open European Championships were streamed directly into your rooms and hands, wonderful! This gave the impression that it was a few handler and dog teams that took part.  How wrong can you be.

It is the support from the grass roots of HTM in this country that I am taking a round about way of giving a standing ovation for.
·         Clubs that either sponsored directly or allowed us to have a stand at their show to raise funds (or both).  
·         Handlers and spectators that bought tuggies, hunted for fleas, donated prizes, bought books, ordered DVDs, your pounds, smiles and best wishes and a whole host of other things.  
·         The good luck messages on the media, phone calls and cards.
All these grew together like the rain drops and gave these competitors a sea of support as they stood on the ring entry line with their dogs (as you know a very lonely place).  It brought tears to my eyes you wonderful lot.
This way of pulling together is the way I would like to see our sport going.  Please apply positive conditioning not only to our dogs but also to how we treat others in HTM.  If someone gives a negative comment about something reply with a positive one. A ‘hi’ and a smile does not cost anything so let’s spend lots of them.

Carol Mortimer

Monday 30 September 2013

The Championships Close

The Closing of the Championships
All the teams were asked to gather in the warming up area adjacent to the main ring in full uniform
Team GB looked very smart in their "Crazydogs" Gillets and uniform trousers and white T Shirts and of course the dogs also wore their Union Flag Dog Coats - hand made by Lesley., 
It was a good time for Team GB to reflect on their journey and competition so far.
Ready to enter the ring.
Kath saying Goodbye to Asako from Japan.
And little Spice - the highest scoring Team GB dog of the Championship.
Time for a farewell dinner with the Team and supporters.
Hetty and her partner Adrian saying farewell as they left the hotel  to spend time with old friends over 2 hours away!
The following day and an early start for the team to arrive at Calais for the Eurotunnel train to Folkstone   (Chase look to his right)
And one or two more photos for their sponsorship.  (Chase look to his left!) 
 Chase look at the camera!!!!   Well Done Team GB
And after all passports checked - another photograph for Eurotunnel.
Thanks for supporting the Team GB Blog.  Thanks to sponsors, supporters and everyone who made this journey possible.  A great experience for a great Team GB.

Sunday 29 September 2013

The Freestyle Championship

Sunday - the day for Championship Freestyle
The Union Flag was amongst the other National flags forming the back drop for all the routines.
At Running Order 20, Christina and Eze were the first of Team GB to compete.
They performed a fast moving routine to Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars.
Christina was dressed in her Union Flag "Cheer leader's" costume which suited the music well.
 And they did it!!!   Not a paw out of place.  Well done!
Kath and Spice were the next Team GB "players" at Running Order 28.
 They worked to the music "The Dance Fight" from Puss In boots
Although a quiet start - the music soon changes pace as Spice "stole" Kath's sword!
Spice pushing the barrel.  One of the best performances Spice has done to this music.
And a big jump towards the end.   Spice finished in the Top Ten finalists at 7th place.
 At Running Order 38, Hetty and Wizz took to the arena.
Performing to a "Hollywood Medley" they had super props for the Hollywood paving and the red carpet.
The routine flowed through the short soundtracks of  many great Hollywood Films.
Finishing with Titanic.  Well done Hetty and Wizz.
 At Running Order 41, Jackie and Indi had the longest wait to perform their routine.
They worked to the music That’s What I Like by Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
Jackie and Indi covered the entire ring at speed!!!
Jackie kept good control of Indi's enthusiasm hitting these jumps perfectly on the beat.
At the end of the huge Freestyle Class of  48 entries, the reserve handlers and dogs were invited into the ring to entertain whilst the judges had a break for food.
Karen and Erin took to the open ring and performed to Lollipop by Mica.
Erin was another enthusiastic Team GB dog.
Well motivated and very precise when needed. 
A lovely end to a very happy routine.

The Team Places were as follows:
1st   Russia
2nd The Czech Republic
3rd  Switzerland
Team GB finished in a brilliant 5th Place.

The Individual Places were as follows:
1st Russia Marina Novoselova with Funnewf Gloria Day 
2nd Czech Republic Vanda Gregorová with All That Brandy Gentle Mate
3rd Slovakia Monika Olšovská with Arsinoé z Ríše Wa
Kath and Spice finished the day in a great 8th Place!   Well Done Spice.

Saturday 28 September 2013

The Championships Begin - HTM

The Heelwork To Music Championship competition day had arrived.  All the teams were gathered together in uniform for the opening ceremony.  Can you spot GB?
Kath and Amber had been drawn 13 in the running orders - they were first to compete for Team GB. 
They performed to Celtic Kitten - and they covered the entire ring at quite a pace with their planned out routine.
 Amber did experience some slipping even though the surface was Astro-Turf. 
 Kick those legs Amber and Kath.
And they finished!!   They were placed in the Top Ten out of 41 competitors so were very pleased.
 Next to take to the arena was Jackie and Indi.
They performed very accurately to Sharp Dressed Man and again another team that covered the ring space very well.
Dylan and Chase were next to perform.  Dylan had been the reserve for HTM and sadly Karen had withdrawn Fly due to a recent operation which meant Dylan and Chase had to step up to the competition.
 A Cart Wheel and a "Flip Over" added to his routine. 
And of course plenty of Heelwork too!
 Lesley and Hamish were the final Team Players for HTM. 
 They danced to "A Night Like This"
Lesley looking elegant and Hamish looking happy and very fluffy!!!

The Team Competition finished with Team GB in 8th Place.  Well Done Team!!!
1st Place Denmark
2nd Place Russia
3rd Place The Czech Republic

The Top Ten individuals then randomly chose a bag of food with their running orders for the HTM Final attached
Kath and Amber had placed 10th in the Team Championship and finished the Individual Competition still in 10th position. 
 The Top Three Places
Denmark - Anja Christiansen with Feahunden’s Queeny Las 55.13 

Russia – Olga Kuzina with Almond Chokolat S Chernoy Vody 53.97
Czech Republic - Vanda Gregorová with All That Brandy Gentle Mate  53.60