Crufts 2016

Lesley and Dewy had a great time at Crufts this year. On Thursday they competed in the Freestyle competition gaining an 7^th place despite Lesley having to do some nimble move adaptations in order to pick up a button which came off her jacket during the Chattanooga Choo Choo routine!

On Friday they competed in the Heelwork To Music Competition gaining the 10^th place.  This is the first time that Dewy has competed at Crufts in both disciplines and Lesley is very proud of the way he coped with all the hustle and bustle of the NEC environment.  At just 4 years old he is doing so well.

Crufts 2016 - and Flexi

The Top Lodge Dancing Dogs were delighted to visit the Flexi Stand at Crufts once again this year.

 The Flexi Stand is perfectly placed for good passing traffic and lots of business.

 Karen with Midge and Lesley with Dewy were happy to show some of their favourite moves.

 Kath was there too but sadly no dogs with her to demonstrate.

 Lesley and Karen took to the stage in turns

  Dewy keeping on his toes!

Super new Flexi leads on the stand - this one had flashing lights for night walking.
Thanks again to Flexi for supporting Top Lodge Dancing Dogs at Crufts.

Double Success For Lesley and Dewy

January is the first month in the HTM Competition year - and it was truly successful for Lesley and Dewy.

They were placed 9th in the Crufts Semi Final Qualifier for Heelwork To Music - with the top ten placed going through to perform in the final at Crufts in March.  A great position to finish in with plenty of potential to place higher!

And in the Crufts Semi Final Qualifier for Freestyle  they were placed 7th which this time meant they perform in the Freestyle Final at Crufts with again a chance to improve on this place!!!   GOOD LUCK LESLEY AND DEWY!!!!

Kath and Amber also competed in the Crufts Semi Final Qualifier for Heelwork To Music, After a very tough year with Amber sustaining two burst ear drums early in 2015, Kath knew her hearing would be impaired, and the KC Building with metal roof, busy chatter and lots of amplifiers could be overwhelming but she performed so well and reached a creditable 13th place sadly missing out on a final performance at Crufts.

Kath and Denby also competed in the  Crufts Semi Final Qualifier for Heelwork To Music however, Denby's confidence wasn't at its best and Kath withdrew from competition completing the routine to gain more experience for this sensitive dog and her.

Kath and Amber went on to be placed 3rd in the Advanced Freestyle Competition at the end of the day when sadly all the photographers had left the building!

Karen and Midge had a successful competition too as they were placed 3rd in Intermediate Freestyle.

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!!!

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

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!!

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 ;-)