Kath, Spice, Amber and Denby captured on video by Mars PetCare

Thanks to Mars Pet Care for edting this lovely short video of Kath's time with you for Christmas.

Christmas at Mars Pet Care Melton Mowbray

 Another visit to Mars Pet Care for Kath and her three dogs, Spice, Amber and Denby, but this time to the factory at Melton Mowbray.

 Kath showed them some of the basic moves for Freestyle with Spice and explained the sport of HTM to them.

 A couple of people had brought their own dogs for today's lesson - and others borrowed Kath's dogs.

Time for everyone to join in with a rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas made especially special for the dogs by Kath.

 All had to join in - singing or taking part with the dogs.

 Amber thoroughly enjoyed dancing with her new partner!

 Captured on film!!!

 Nearly at the end of the song - and once again Kath and Spice were the only ones not to miss a beat!!!

 Time for a rest - well done Denby, Amber and Spice!

Kath did OK too!!!   Thank you to Mars Petcare for inviting Kath and her "pack" to entertain at this special Christmas lunch time break.

Karen & Kath judge the Swedish Championships

Shortly before the Open European Championships, Kath and Karen received a wonderful invitation from The Swedish Kennel Club to judge at the Swedish HTM and Freestyle Championships to be held on 10th & 11th December

Arlanda Airport - Stockholm - beautifully decorated for Christmas

The huge venue where the Swedish Championships were held

On arrival at the venue each dog was carefully checked by a veterinarian

The Swedish Kennel Club Stand

Inside the venue with its "living walls" - carefully covered for the weekends visitors!

The Saturday saw the judges working with the Young KC Members.  Three levels of competition and some superb routines.  Judging took all morning and then within the Dog Show, prizes were presented.

 Unfortunately - no photos of the competition as Karen and Kath were busy judging!

Lovely to be able to give a little feedback to the competitors during the presentations

The FCI celebrated its100th Birthday in 2011 and the Freestylers were invited to "dance" out the decades in the afternoon for the Main Arena Entertaiment - they did very well.

 Whoops - there is a Chihuahua there somewhere!!!

 Manchester Terrier and its handler depict the 1980's

 And a fabulous finale for all the handlers and their dogs

 These two were kept busy throughout the weekend with each Champions Fanfare

The Young KC - Class 3

The evening Dinner where Karen was joined by Rolf for aperitifes - anyone for a sprout??????

Sunday and the day of the Swedish HTM & Freestyle Championships.
All the competitors were greeted by the audience before the show started

 The Prize Presentation - Thank you Yvonne Oster  And Photos

View from the hotel - 17th floor!  No snow!!

Thanks to the organisers of both competitions, to the Swedish KC and to the wonderful competitors for a great competition

Christmas Lunch Time at Mars Petcare Waltham

Kath and her dogs, Spice, Amber and Denby were invited to entertain for the lunch hour at the Mars Petcare in Waltham.

Chairs set out in readiness for approximately 30 staff to be entertained.

And hot mince pies also lined up for a Christmas lunch time treat for those attending.

Kath with Spice and Denby all ready for the action.

Great - a few members of staff had brought along their dogs to learn some of the basic steps required for "Dancing Dogs"

Those without dogs watched intently hoping to take home some good training tips from Kath

Anyone struggling was given One to One help and guidance

Weaving, spinning, creeping and giving a paw - plenty to keep these dogs and handlers training over Christmas

Kath lent both Amber and Denby to people who had no dog with them to get a feel of training some moves

Everyone joined in throughout the hour

And a little hind leg work demonstration

The Finale - The 12 Days of Christmas".  Twelve "volunteer"  spectators were brought out on to the floor from the audience and each given a card prepared by Kath. Each card had one move for each of the 12 days.   Kath with Spice completed the entire song and every move - helped by the singers and other dog handlers!

Each "card holder" had to remember when it was their turn to sing or call out their "move". So simple - well that was the plan!

The "singers" were harder to control than the dogs each having to read or sing out their Day of Christmas at the right time!!!



But it was all worthwhile - all participants - human and dog were given a Christmas Stocking courtesy of Pedigree

Thank you Mars Pet Care for inviting Kath and her dogs to entertain you all and thank you for taking part in the Finale!

Karen Receives the Open European Winner's Jacket

Karen and Fly
Winners of the Open European Individual Heelwork To Music Championship

This week, Karen received her fabulous "Three In One" jacket from one of the major sponsors of the OEC held in Denmark on October.  For more photos check HERE

The Canine Freestyle GB Committee Meet the Kennel Club

The Kennel Club invite Committee Members of KC Registered Clubs to meet the staff that deal with the running of clubs and other administration towards the sport, so Karen, Lesley and Kath travelled to London.  It was a very useful and instructive meeting - and they would recommend other clubs to send representatives to meet the staff and find out more!

Joanna Nosalik was a key member of the staff that sent in the HTM Team GB entries for the Open European Championship - so the trio took the opportunity thank Joanna and to show off their rosettes and Karen's huge Individual Winner's Trophy. 

A great day out!  Thank you to everyone in the Canine Activities Department for all the information and guidance they gave during this visit.

Karen and Fly at Discover Dogs

Follow this LINK for more photos and a video link too!!

Success for Angus and Hamish

Come on, let's go!

Lesley and Roger, and Angus and Hamish spent the weekend in Aberystwyth at the Show run by Aberystwyth DTC.

On Saturday Hamish enjoyed working his last Novice HTM Class, he has now moved up to Intermediate level, gaining a very respectable 4th place, and Angus and Lesley tried out their new routine in the Advanced Freestyle Class - and gained 1st place!

With the sun shining all weekend Sunday was a day for the beach - and how the boys enjoyed themselves!

This path goes on for miles!

Just like the beach

Miles and miles

Right down to the sea

Find a stick, dad, throw a stick, dad, please, please.....

Camouflaged Beardie!