Friday 14th November - Practice Day

Another early start - the Practice sessions had been notified to all the participating countries and Great Britain was in poll position starting at 08:15 until 09:15. 

Nicci and Nala

This would be the Team's times for all their competitors so a rota was worked out to make the ring available for each team player and Karen with finger on the stop watch! 

Lucy and Skiffle

Christina and Eze

Kath and Amber

Spice - Practising alone!!!

Thank you Dagmar Blariaux for these Practice Session Photos.

  The hour was nearly over, but there was a little overrun time
when all the handlers could all go into the ring

After the Great Britain practice session all the other countries would be visiting the venue for their allocated hour - the practice sessions would not finish till 18:45!  

The Team made their way back to the hotel where they had arranged to meet in the Bar to exchange Good Luck cards and presents.
 Unfortunately - the bar was not open - but the foyer was available!

A unusual "selfie" by David Hardman who took all these photos - Thank you!

So many Good Luck wishes from all the Team's supporters.  THANK YOU!

   

  

And Attila one of the five judges, dropped by to say Good Luck too!

It would soon be time to return to the OEC Venue - but some of the Team decided there was time for a safe walk to an area of the woods where they had been lost the day before!!

Left to Right - Denby, Amber and Spice Hardman, Maia Dennis, 
Skiffle and Teasel Creek and Nala Hindson!

A lovely relaxing walk :-)

 

 It was soon time for the Team to return to the Venue for the Opening Ceremony.
(Plus Jules who decided she would join the Team from Great Britain!)

 It was soon time for Großbritannien to be announced as they entered the arena!

Their uniforms embroidered and supplied by Crazydogs looked superb! 

The flag was the biggest there!!!

And friends from Japan.

A great opening ceremony really setting the scene
 for the competitions to be held in the following two days!

The judges.  Katharina Henf (Germany) Nóra Karlyik (Hungary)
 Esther Niemeijer (The Netherlands) Heather Smith (Scotland) Attila Szukalek (England)

And then a quick trip back to the hotel for the Welcome Dinner

Lots more exchanging of cards and Good Luck gifts between the countries.

Team Japan

Team Belgium

Team Sweden

Team France

Some of Team Germany

Team Switzerland

Team Finland and Team Hungary

Team Holland

And More Team Holland

Team Italy

Switzerland and Germany?

And more Team Holland

Team Denmark

The Judges  and Officials

More of Team Germany

Team Czech Republic