Karen Judges at the World Dog Show

HTM World Championships 2016

Moscow, Russia

Karen Sykes was privileged to be invited to judge the Heelwork To Music World Championships 2016 held in Moscow, Russia from 24^th to 26^th June 2016.  She was particularly honoured to be appointed Head Judge of the competition.

Fabulous trophies were available to the winners of the competitions. 

The Team Freestyle Championships were decided on Friday and the Team Heelwork to Music on Saturday.

The winners of both the division were the host country, Team Russia!

On Sunday the Individual Championships were decided.  The top 10 competitors in the 2 divisions danced again and their 2 scores were added together to give the final individual results.

The Freestyle World Champion is Yvonne Belin from Switzerland with her beautiful Border Collie Bitch, Jewel del Mulino Prudenza Brains ‘n Beauty.

 Yvonne and Alice

The Heelwork to Music World Champion is Polina Ilina and her magnificent Belgium Shepherd Malinois Liniya Gracii Ilim Yan.

  Polina and Ilim

Karen would like to thank the organisers of the World Dog Show 2016 for all their hard work and magnificent hospitality.

The full results of the World Championships can be found here  http://wds2016.dogdance.ru/?lang=en&page=results

Judging at the FCI World Dog Show Finland

Lesley and Kath were both honoured and delighted to be invited to judge the Heelwork To Music and Freestyle Championships at the World Dog Show held in Helsinki.

The competition was held over two days -
 HTM on the Wednesday and Freestyle on the Thursday

The Arena where the routines would be performed

Everything is almost ready

The timetable for the competition and personalised Rosettes for each judge.

Lesley preparing her paperwork for the Team HTM Championship competition.

A lovely touch - each judge had their own flower arrangement in their National Flag Colours.  Sweden - Frida Binette!

Denmark - Helle Larssen

Great Britain - Lesley Neville and Kath Hardman

And the Host Country Finland - Henna Meriharju and Laura Jalli (Head Judge)

 Super Rosettes

 

And wonderful trophies

For winners and those placed

Lovely display of awards

The opening ceremony - all teams in alphabetical order.

And after the competition it was award time for the Teams in HTM. 

First Russia, Second Sweden and Third Denmark 

A happy winning team Russia

THe HTM Individual Championship. 

And the judges had time to offer their congratulations

The Freestyle Team Championship
First Russia, Second Finland and Third Sweden

A very happy Team Russia

And the Freestyle Individual Championship

What a super time - Kath and Lesley were given these superb Vanity Cases as a memento of the occasion.

  Thank you to the organisers and competitors for making this a wonderful Championship.

Kath, Spice, Amber and Denby at Little Eaton WI

Earlier this year, Kath received an invitation to talk at the Little Eaton Women's Institute Meeting on 12th September 2012.

Along with her three dogs, Spice, Amber and Spice - and with the help of her husband David, Kath "entertained" the ladies to a display of dog training.

The dogs behaved very nicely - except when Amber caught the scent of freshly made cakes!  Whoops!!!!!

But control was resumed and after a routine from Spice both Kath and David were privileged to taste a vast selection of their home made produce.

Thank you for letting Kath explain a very kind method of dog training and of course for the delicious cakes!

DogLive Germany

DOGLIVE Munster, GERMANY

Kath was very happy to accept the invitation to perform at DogLive 2012 with Spice and Amber. David and Denby joined them for the experience and were invaluable help. A two day drive with stop over in Folkstone - then onwards to Euro Tunnel for the short journey into France, followed by a drive through Belgium, Holland and into Germany.  Perfect!

Backstage - the day before the show which was held on 21st and 22nd January.

The stall holders spent a day or two preparing their produce for the huge crowds expected.

Huge advert for the event on the convention centre

The river close by the hotel and venue.

Walk time for Kath and the dogs for their morning exercise.

The hotel which would be their base for four nights next to the Convention Centre.

Saturday morning and the queues were very long.  The public were allowed to take their dogs into the Trade Halls as long as their vaccinations were checked by security at each doorway.

Kath had also been asked to carry out a workshop each day - 12:00noon on Saturday and 5:00pm on Sunday.  This was Denby's first big show.

Very busy aisles between each stand but Denby took it all in his stride.

One performance from Amber and Spice each day in the DogLive Gala.  Saturday night from 7:00pm and Sunday afternoon from 1:00pm.  Amber was to open the show - walking into the arena, unlit except for flashing spotlights - she was super and showed her experience by not being affected by the large audience, sounds and darkness.

A huge screen which was used for advertising but also showed great close ups of the action.

DogLive is a very popular event - this was its fourth year and very well organised

The audience ready for the start of the "entertainment".  Amber's routine was a good show opener and she completed her brand new routine really well. 

Spice was to perform 3 hours later as the penultimate act.

Backstage during the interval - time for all three of the dogs to have a look around

Kath and her dogs with Comedian Florin and Cato - a very funny and clever act.

The arena was 50m x 23m - a great size and the surface was from the "Horse of the Year Show" held at this centre the previous week - wonderful surface for all the dogs involved.

Spice, Amber and Denby ready for the final workshop.

Denby, at 10 months old, was well focussed and happy to show what he has been taught.

Amber's attitude was brilliant - very willing to please.

And Spice "hiding" from the audience!  Always happy to show her repertoire of freestyle moves.

The following day, the return drive through Germany, Holland, Belgium and France to Euro Tunnel - and no cars waiting.  The dogs were checked through Pet Passport Control - Denby's first trip out of GB with the new Passport Regulations - no Blood Test now and no Tick Treatment required!!  This is making travel so much easier.

Euro Tunnel Shopping area - and David on his way in!!!  Thank you David for filming, taking pictures and for being with us.

Thanks to everyone of the organisers involved in DogLive Munster 2012 - you were a pleasure to work with.