26 October 2015

Denby succeeds in Advanced Freestyle

Canine Freestyle GB held the 9th Crufts 2016 Semi Final Qualifier in September 2015 with entries exceeding the allowed 25 per class so the Advanced Classes were split into two parts.
With his new routine to a Top Hat and Tails Medley, Denby and Kath were placed 2nd in the second part of Advanced Freestyle.  The scores were then merged for the two parts to find the highest scoring team who haven't yet qualified and Denby just missed qualifying by 0.06 points! There will be another year!!!
But Well Done Denby who hadn't competed in Freestyle for nearly 2 years! !!!   And in October at the Westglen Competition he competed in Advanced Freestyle and again was placed 2nd missing the Winners place by 0.05 points!!!!!!!   So close!!!

16 August 2015

Lesley on Holiday

Fylde K9 Dancers was to be the next show for Lesley and the boys but sadly the old knee injury which she had operated on in December decided to flare up making it too painful to walk, yet alone dance, so, no show for the boys but instead a week in Yorkshire in the caravan was had instead.

With the help of lots of pain killers and a stick Lesley and Roger and the boys explored parts of Wharfdale.  Lesley grew up in neighbouring Nidderdale so some old haunts were visited – with some surprising results!

In Kettlewell there was the annual Scarecrow festival
Little Bo Peep found her sheep!
The villagers really make a super effort, first prize went to “The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe” but every house had made a contribution.
The Tour De France which went through the Dales was remembered too!

Not to be left out, Settle held their  “Flower Pot People” festival the same week!
 Oh no, not the Daleks!
 Miss Muffet and her spider!
 Here be Dragons!
 Ah! A more friendly rabbit!
Watch out Sid – they grow them big in Yorkshire!
But not to worry, everyone arrived back at the caravan in one piece and ready for a lovely walk up on t’ moors!

 A lovely holiday

2 August 2015

New Training Hall Floor

It is 10 years since the training hall was built and it was decided that the floor was now feeling a little more than springy - so a new floor was to be laid by the Top Lodge Team
 Whoops - it was time to replace some of the floor and lay a new floor on top.
 Roger and Lesley made a start looking for any damage the night before.
 More damage!!   Too much dancing on this part of the floor!
 And then the team came to work the next day.
 All the carpet tiles needed lifting and stacking - new floor panels brought in, screwed down .....
 and then the tiles had to be relaid!
 Time for lunch!
 The final corner of floor is screwed in place.
 Nearly all done - last piece to be cut to fit!
 Perfect!!!
Well if its OK for Spice - then its perfect for the rest of the team!!

26 July 2015

A great show for Kath's Dogs

Kath took her dogs Spice, Amber and Denby to socialise at a local Dog Show in Long Eaton, Notts.
Not only did they socialise but they came away with many prizes and Rosettes!
Obedience  -  Top Dogs  - Winner Denby!
Obedience -  Hopefuls - Winner Denby!
Breed - AV Pastural - 4th place Denby!
Novelty - Best Match Pair - Winners Amber and Denby!
Best Vintage (10 years or over) Winner Spice!!!   4th Place Amber!
Overall Best In Show - 5th Place   "Amber and Denby" 
Spice wasn't keen on being hidden behind the food ;-)

25 July 2015

Bonsall Carnival

A super Summer's Day in Bonsall, Derbyshire where Top Lodge Dancing Dogs entertained the huge crowd from the village and surrounding areas.
After a very rainy Friday, the team had doubts about the weather, however, the forecast was good and it stayed bright and sunny all day.
Lovely to see families enjoying the day and sitting out on the grass.
The Floats arrived into the arena, led by the one carrying the Carnival Queen for 2015
The very colourful Alice In Wonderland float - whoops someone should have proof read the banners!!
The Team assembled ready to be introduced
Lesley with Tedi, Dewy and Hamish
Kath with Spice, Denby and Amber
and Karen with Midge and Fly.
First to "dance" was Kath with Spice, now the oldest performing member of the group to Michael Jackson's "Rockin' Robin".   
This is when everyone appreciates the dry ground!!  What a very happy audience.
Well done Spice!!   Enjoying every minute of her time in the arena.
Following on was Karen and her youngster Midge.   This was Midge's first public performance and she did do well.
"Dancing" to 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' by Queen, they were obviously enjoying every minute.
The audience were captivated, No one wanting to leave their front row viewing point.
Now it was time for audience participation - four volunteers to work with four of the Team's dogs.  This lady chose to work with Hamish and she soon worked out how to get him weaving at top speed.
This young lady, Laura, chose to work with Spice, luckily Spice has been weaving a number of years so she taught Laura very well!
Midge was chosen by this lady, Emma - the two of them very elegantly moving!
And finally Amber was chosen by Richard.  Amber doesn't mess around - if Richard wasn't moving his legs - then she would just barge through!!
And the Winner of the Red Rosette - HAMISH!!!!   He has certainly won more weave races than any other dog on this team!
In second place was SPICE!!!   Her handler very proud to receive the blue rosette.
Third to cross the finish line was MIDGE - she is learning so well - she will soon be moving up the places in this race!
And in 4th place was AMBER - actually her handler coped very well on the first stretch but unfortunately, he couldn't get back into the rhythm after an about turn and he ran with Amber over the finish line forgetting that Amber should have been weaving through his legs! But he was happy with his 4th rosette and did a lap of honour!
To close the performances, it was the turn of Lesley with Dewy "dancing" to 'Puttin' On The Ritz'.
Once again, thanks to the good weather the ground was dry and safe for jumps and kept the handler's costumes in good order!
Well done Dewy making it through a super routine to the final pose.
There were one or two familiar faces in the audience!  Annette Lowe, fellow Heelwork To Music Competitor, had been invited by the Carnival Committee to judge the Dog Show taking part directly after Top Lodge finished their performance time.
And Joy Lowe also came to the Carnival to watch the proceedings!!
Three Classes for Annette to judge - Waggiest Tail, Best Behaved and Best Trick!
The Best Behaved class had a run off for second place between these brothers, very nice 15 week old Spaniels
And a super little Jack Russell performing his Best Trick!
A natural on hind legs - this little Chihuahua.
And this one year old Boxer performs a Roll Over - helped carefully by his owner.

Thank you Bonsall Carnival Organisers and Committee for inviting Top Lodge Dancing Dogs to entertain at the Bonsall Carnival 2015.