Happy Birthday Amber

Amber - Stillmoor Lady in Red is 8 years old today!!   Where do these years go??

Sad News

Choxxstart Dream Angus

3rd August 2001 - 2nd April 2013

Robbie and Angus

It is with great sadness to let you know that Angus has gone to dance with the stars.

He had a heart murmur for most of his life, this did not bother him too much as his dancing proved, but today that wonderful heart gave up.

Lesley's lovely boy made the decision himself and died at home in her arms, perfect to the last.

 

Please look out for the new, bright star in the sky.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS FLY AND ERIN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLY - 12 YEARS OLD TODAY!!!

And
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN 4 YEARS OLD TODAY!!!

Teaching in Germany

Kath and Karen left a snowy Derbyshire a day early to ensure they caught their early morning flight to Munich for some teaching in Oberammergau.   Thanks to Karen for these great photographs!

Birmingham Airport - the first day of clear sky for over a week

Snow Below

And more snow in Oberammergau, Near Munich

Hotel Wolf - home for Kath and Karen for the next 6 nights

The Passion Theatre and Fire Station

They took a walk around the village prior to dinner - very snowy and lots of shops - most were very religious for the visitors to the Passion Theatre

The Mountains surrounding Obergammerau

Typical village shop

Very pretty painted murals on the hotels, restaurants and shops

And very cold - the river had frozen over

Great training facilities owned by the Hotel Wolf.  Good floor surface and very spacious.

A good variety of dogs at the seminar and a very friendly group of handlers.

Heelwork To Music in pairs.

Cheese Platter - the food was very good at the hotel

A delicious Fish Dish

Forest Dwarves (Mushrooms In Cream with Sliced Dumpling

Good Friday speciality - Pancakes with almonds, sugar and apple

The Final Day - a Group Photograph

Planning a Group Routine

Performing a Group Routine

Neuschwanstein Castle

It wasn't all work though as during some time out, Kath and Karen were taken sight seeing by their new friends Kurt and Barbara

A forty minute walk up to the castle
 was rewarded with a mug of Hot Chocolate
 with Kurt and Barbara

The view from the castle

On the final day of teaching in Germany, Karen and Kath were taken by Michaela Köppel to her training facility.  A huge industrial unit with another special dog friendly floor surface.  Wonderful

.

Group performances - working out their own choreography

Each group differing in their interpretation of the music

A Group of five dogs and handlers working in harmony!!

Sunrise on the final day - Easter Monday

And their final meal was taken at MIca's home - a very nice Easter Breakfast.

Thank you to Michaela Köppel and to Inge Raggl - Hotel Wolf,  for great hospitality during Karen and Kath's visit to the beautiful area in Bavaria.

They hope to see you again in 2014.

Karen and Fly on Radio Derby

Karen Sykes and Iatka Spring Spangle (Fly) were on the Phil Trow Breakfast Show on Radio Derby this morning.

 The interview can be heard online – click here! - It starts at around 38 minutes.

Crufts 2013 - a great result for Karen with Fly

Karen and her super dog Fly competed in the Crufts 2013 Heelwork To Music Final on the Friday in the Arena, NEC to a packed audience.

Karen and Fly - happy to be entering the big ring

Super start pose

The music they used was "Tango de Roxanne" from the film "Moulin Rouge" which is a very emotive piece of music.

This dog dancing drives you mad!!!!!!

A heartfelt performance

She's behind you! ;) 

A stunning finish pose

Maybe this can be a caption competition?

Karen and Fly accepting the Trophy for 2nd place

The three judges were Annette Lowe GB (Head Judge), Carol Mortimer (GB) and Brigitte van Gestel (The Netherlands) who is the judge handing the award to Karen.   A very proud moment.

The evening 'spotlight performance' 

Being placed second gave Karen and Fly an "encore" at the end of the afternoon's entertainment in the huge Arena,  which was made extra special by being spotlit.

Just putting her shoe back on - it came off during their final performance!

Giving a paw to punctuate the music

Both performances were flawless and the audience showed their appreciation with their applause.  You can watch their competition performance HERE  Karen and Fly's performance starts at 48mins 17seconds.

Fly relaxing at home with her trophy for 2nd place at Crufts Heelwork to Music Final 2013

Karen would like to thank all her family and friends for the their everlasting support.

Apart from celebrating Karen and Fly's wonderful competition result, for the other two members of Top Lodge it wasn't such a good event.  Lesley had to retire Angus from competition before the Semi Finals due to arthritis setting into his shoulder and although Kath and Amber had been well placed in the HTM Semi Finals she had to withdraw Amber whilst at Crufts as Amber had a poorly tummy.  She is pleased to say a week later and she is now fully fit!!

Denby 2 Today

It was Denby's 2nd Birthday on 3rd March.  Doesn't time fly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY VERY HANDSOME
 STILLMOOR EXTRA SPECIAL