I
have 4 dogs, 3 Working Sheepdogs and 1 rescue crossbreed.
Kes is
15 years old Working Sheepdog and has been very successful in the sport. Although she no longer competes, she does still
enjoy her training and performing for the public. She is amazing for her age, I am so lucky to
have her.
Midge
is my new baby, born on 6th
April 2013. She is lovely Working Sheepdog puppy with lots of potential for the future.
I
have 2 dogs on the team this year.
Erin is a 4 year old rescue crossbreed. We don’t know what breeds are mixed into her
but she is a great comic with an amazing personality. Initial illness & behavioural problems made
for a slow start in the sport but with consistent training and help she has
done well enough to be invited onto the Team as a reserve for the Freestyle
Competition. I am very proud of my
achievements with her as she has been a very challenging personality.
 |
| ERIN Team GB Freestyle Reserve |
Fly,
my 12 year old Working Sheepdog, won the Heelwork to Music Individual and Team
Championships in 2011. Fly is a very
fast and intense dog who anticipates everything which makes training a real
challenge and lots of fun. Around the home you could not wish for a more
loving and well behaved dog, she is a real joy to live with. Fly has competed at Crufts every year since
the very first competition, placed highly every year and won the Crufts Heelwork
to Music competition in 2008. We were
unable to compete at the OEC in Prague
in 2012, so we are looking forward to trying to win back our title this year!
 |
| Fly - Team GB Heelwork To Music Member |
I
first competed in Heelwork to Music and Freestyle back in 2001 when Kes and I
won the Starters Freestyle class. I also
had my first judging appointment in that year too. I have judged both at Crufts and around the
world and I was the Lead Judge at the Inaugural Heelwork to Music World
Championships in 2010 held in Denmark. I have continued to compete, judge and teach
but never did I imagine when I first started where this sport would take
me. Thanks to HTM I have travelled the
world with my friend Kath Hardman, judging and holding seminars which has
resulted in our making many great friends all over the world through this
fabulous sport.
 |
| Karen and Fly when they won the HTM in 2011 |
What
I love about Heelwork to Music and Freestyle is that it is the only dog sport
where you can do exactly what you want to within the rules and let your
imagination run free. You can show-case
the individuality of your dog and never have to perform a move that the dog
doesn’t like.
Dogs, dancing and music are a magical combination which gives so much joy
to many!
I
cannot finish my profile without mentioning my constant companion, Allan. He has been by my side since 1983 encouraging
me in everything I have done, looking after our dogs, taking wonderful photos
and helping me to achieve things that I never thought I was capable of.
To
represent your country is a huge honour and I shall do my very best with Fly
and Erin but whatever the result, I can be
sure of taking the best dogs home to my wonderfully supportive family and
friends!
