31 May 2009

Euro Dog Show in Dublin - Day 2

All well in Ireland!

It has been a very hot today and both dogs and handlers are getting tired from long days of performing and talking to people about HTM and dog training, but they are enjoying themselves and coping ok.

They have performed twice today and both demos went very well.

The organizers from the Irish Kennel Club wants Kath and Tipp to perform their Irish Dancing routine in the main ring just before the Best In Show final tomorrow.
'Duelling Violins' surely is an appropriate choice of music for an Irish Show! :o) - and not bad for an 11 years old resuce dog to be invited to do a Main Ring BIS demo at an European Winner Show! Well done Kath and Tipp and good luck tomorrow!

Good luck to the rest of the team too - enjoy your last day in Dublin.
Happy Dancing!

Tipp's Irish Dance at Crufts 2008

30 May 2009

Euro Dog Show in Dublin - Day 1

Our friends in Dublin had a good 1st day at the Euro Dog Show. Their performances went very well and the organizeres are impressed. Karen and Kath have been asked for an extra performance just before the Best In Show final on Monday.

And they found the Danish Kennel Club, who is in Ireland to promote the World Dog Show, which will be held in Herning in Denmark in June 2010. The World Show is a HUGE event - not just for those interested in breed, but also for the agility, obedience, rally-obedience and HTM fans.

The FCI World Championship in HTM/Freestyle will be held as part of the World Dog Show 2010. The competition is a team event for countries affiliated to the FCI and Karen will be one of the judges.


Karen and Kath meeting Jette and Jette from the Danish Kennel Club

29 May 2009

It's not all about Dublin

Our Crufts 2009 routines are finally online! :o)
The Top Lodge Trio managed to qualify no less than 6 routines for Crufts this year - 3 HTM and 3 Freestyle routines.

Enjoy them here!

Karen and Fly's HTM routine to 'Roxie'


Kath and Amber performing to 'Hoedown'



Lesley and Angus: 'Capone'...



And the freestyle
Karen and Kes are 'Reviewing The Situation'...



Kath and Spice saying 'Good Morning'!



And last, but not least...
Lesley and Angus performing to 'There Is Nothing Like A Dame'


Arrived to Dublin!

Kath, Karen, David and Allan + dogs have arrived to Dublin. They have settled in a superb hotel and found out where they are going to work over the next 3 days.

The hotel and park - a great exercise area for the dogs

Kes, Fly, Tipp, Amber and Spice outside the venue

The last rehersal before the 3 busy days in the spot-lights went very well and both dogs and handlers are ready to show Europe what Heelwork To Music is all about!

28 May 2009

Ireland - here we come!

Allan, Karen and David on the ferry to Ireland

Shortly after their Crufts wins in 2008, Karen and Kath received an invitation from the Irish Kennel Club to entertain at the FCI European Winner Dog Show in Dublin on the 30th May - 1st June.

Kath, Karen, David, Allan and all the dogs have been travelling to Ireland today and will be ready for a rehearsal in the hall tomorrow - before 3 days of performing.

The show is to be held at the historic showgrounds of the Royal Dublin Society in the centre of Dublin. Spectators and exhibitors are expected to come from all over Europe.

We wish Kath with Amber, Spice & Tipp and Karen with Fly & Kes the best of luck in Ireland and are looking forward to hear news from their performances!

18 May 2009

Top Lodge Tries Punk!

Nick Abrahams contacted us first in December 2008 saying he had recently been asked to take part in an exhibition in a London Gallery and what he wanted to try and do was to make a short film about Heelwork to Music, centred around a performance to an old punk rock song by Iggy Pop called 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' which is 40 years old this year.

Top Lodge Trio listened to the music and after Karen had found the lyrics, it was decided to give it a go.

We met and choreographed the short piece so we had a draft of a "routine" to show Nick for the first film session.

Nick left late Friday - "inspired" and said what a great time he had with us - hopefully Nick will be arranging a venue for us to perform to this track once perfected.


2/3rd of The Top Lodge Trio, James (soundman) and Nick Abrahams

Nick Abrahams and James



Photos: Karen Sykes

13 May 2009

Kath and Karen in the Danish Kennel Club Magazine


The May issue of the Danish Kennel Club Magazine 'Hunden' has just been published and there is a big article about Kath and Karen in it.
The article is a profile of two of the Top Lodge Members and it focuses on positive training and the importance of motivation and safety when working with dogs.
Kath and Karen are teaching and judging in Denmark later this year.

9 May 2009

Canine Freestyle GB Show

The Top Lodge Trio and the rest of the Canine Freestyle GB committee have been very busy these last months getting ready for this year's first CFGB Show, which is held at Tomlinsons in Markfield, Leicestershire this weekend. They are pleased that everything went well today, both the competition and the AGM afterwards.

The Trio are not competing this weekend as there is too much to do with the organisation of the show.

Looking forward to see you all again tomorrow!

The next CFGB Show is held at Lady Eastwood Building at the Newark and Notts Showground in Newark on the 4th and 5th of July. Click here to get more information!