Lesley, Dewy and Tedi success

At the Strictly Canine HTM Competition on the last weekend in June, Lesley had a very busy and successful day.

 Lesley and Tedi placed second in his first Novice HTM Competition.

Then competing in his first Novice Freestyle Competition - Lesley and Tedi won the class! 

Not to be overshadowed by his younger brother - Dewy then won the Advanced Freestyle Competition! 

And to finish off Lesley's super results, she was placed second with Dewy in the Advanced HTM Competition.

What a great result!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Thank you Strictly for the photographs.

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.

Anglesey Sucesses

Kath and Denby (Stillmoor Extra Special) were very pleased this weekend as he was placed 4th in the Advanced HTM Class performing to Wings - Live and Let Die 

 then they WON the Advanced HTM Class on Sunday!

 Clever boy Denby!!!

  6th in the Advanced Freestyle Class on Saturday 

performing to a Top Hat Medley.

 Lesley and Dewy had a very successful Competition  at Anglesey. 

On the Saturday Lesley and Dewy qualified for the 2016 Crufts Semi Finals in the Heelwork  To Music division by gaining a 2nd place  with their brand new Heelwork routine and .......

 and  they qualified for the 2016 Crufts Semi Finals in the Freestyle Class with a 3rd place.  A double whammy!!

On the Sunday their success continued with a 4th in Heelwork and a 6th in Freestyle, well done Dewy, still only a baby at just 3 years old.

 

Midge is now in the Advanced Heelwork to Music Class and at 2 years old is taking the opportunity to work a training round to improve her skills.

 

Always an advantage to be able to reward in the ring for good work during a training round

Karen ensuring that Midge's position is perfect in one of those tricky behind positions.

Midge and Karen in the start pose of her Freestyle routine

 Cheeky faced Midge!

And the end pose!

After the competition, Lesley, Roger and their three boys, Hamish, Dewy and Tedi then went on to enjoy the rest of the week enjoying the delights of Anglesey.

 Having a great game on the beach

 And in the sea ....................

 with time for refreshments too!!!

Also extra holiday time before and after the competition for  Fly, Erin and Midge who certainly enjoyed their time in Anglesey

 Erin defying gravity, such is her joy at being at the beach.

Fly may be retired from competition, but being 14 and hard of hearing doesn't mean you are past catching a ball on the beach.

Japan Welcomes Kath

Kath was lucky enough to be invited back to Japan for two days helping the HTM and Freestylers and for one day of judging in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

 The beautiful Mount Fuji.

 Asako, Kath's host, took her sightseeing on her arrival day directly after the 20 hour day of travel.  This brown snake was weaving its way through the lava from Mount Fuji.

 A typical garden in Japan - so manicured and very pretty.

 And a visit into the Ice Caves which kept Kath alert at less than Zero Degrees!

The organisers were busy setting up the wonderful facilities for the busy three days.   The performance area was 25m x 20m, with room for crating areas down one side of the hall.

and 5 or 6  warm up rings for the handlers to spend time before their training time or before competing. 

 A friend from last year and her pretty Papillon.

 Beautifully groomed Standard Poodles - so full of character!!

Asako checking the Trophies and all the prizes for competition day.  There were 17 HTM Entries and 34 Freestyle entries.

 The HTM and Freestyle Winner's Trophies!  Huge!!!!

Another friend from last year who was the winner one of the three "Kath Special Trophies" - this one was awarded for Best Costume which she wore for "Diamonds Are Forever".

After judging, Kath was asked to explain HTM in a 5 minute television interview which stretched to 30 minutes!

The venue was part of a Dog Resort Hotel where many people brought their dogs over the weekend to enjoy the facilities.  This was a very sociable lunchtime gathering of Long Haired Weirmaraners!

This lady is known to Kath too with her attentive Shiba Inu!

And Kath met this lady for the first time with her very talented labrador balancing a tub of treats on its nose!

And more helping time - this time a Toy Poodle

Translation took time and it was sometimes hard for Kath to keep the thread of what she wanted to say, but her interpreter, Hiroshi, was excellent.

Helping a Borzoi!!!   A beautiful dog and gentle handler.

Finding the right words!

An Australian Labradoodle dancing to "The Little Mermaid"

Attentive spectators!  Always good to see!

An eight month old Maltese Terrier - learning moves well under her handler's gentle care.

Emiko - Kath first met her at Crufts in 2001 and found time in the evening to meet up with her.

And her translator Hiroshi with his wife Akiko.  He did work hard over several days, but he enjoyed learning all about HTM.

The resort's pool where Asako's dog Pepper was treated to a good morning swimming session after the competition and training days.

 And of course superb grooming facilities for drying off.

 Asako then took Kath on an amphibian bus for a drive around and on Lake Yamanakako

More sightseeing before the drive to Tokyo - passing the fishermen on Lake Yamanakako

 Time to say Goodbye to everyone.

 And then a 2.5 hour drive back to Tokyo passing paddy fields and solar panels!

 Tokyo City with the main Government Building straight ahead.

 Kath's last overnight stay in Japan at the Airport Hotel Nikko.

The departure board for busy Narita Airport - all these flights were taking off within 40 minutes of each other!

Kath's trip home with an upgraded seat giving her a chance to sleep before arriving home after another 23 hours of travel!
Thank you to Asako for arranging and inviting Kath to Japan once again on a very memorable visit.