Introducing Karen Sykes - HTM Team Leader

I first competed and judged in 2001.  Since then I have continued to compete, judge and teach but never did I imagine back then where this sport would take me.  Thanks to HTM I have travelled the world making many great friends through the sport.

 

What I love about Heelwork to Music and Freestyle is that it is the only dog sport where you can do exactly what you want to within the rules and let your imagination run free.  You can show-case the individuality of your dog and never have to perform a move that doesn’t suit your dog.  Dogs, dancing and music are a magical combination which gives so much joy to many!

I have 3 dogs, Fly, Erin and Midge.  Midge is my one year old working sheepdog and is dancing along nicely taking 2 first places at her first 2 shows.  Erin is my 5 years old rescue cross breed and was Reserve Freestyle for Team GB 2013 in Holland.  Fly, my 13 year old working sheepdog won Crufts HTM in 2008 and the HTM Individual Open European Championships in Denmark in 2011.  This year Fly was selected to represent Great Britain for the 3^rd year running but sadly has had to be withdrawn due to ill health.

Although very disappointed not to be competing, I am delighted to be travelling to Germany in the role of Heelwork to Music Team Leader.  I am very keen to fully support the British Team.  With my wealth of experience in competing internationally I feel well qualified to help the entire Team produce their best, both in training and at the Open European Championships

Finally many thanks go my constant companion, Allan.  He has been by my side since 1983 encouraging me and supporting me in everything I have done, looking after our dogs when I have been travelling and helping me to achieve things that I would never have thought possible.  Thanks Allan!

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting the team in selection or any other way, however, 

the Kennel Club has given permission to Louth & District Dog Club to enter a team from Great Britain.

The Team

The Team held a Training Day for all team members to meet, 

chat and train with their competing dogs.   

A great time was had with everyone giving each other help and support throughout the day. 

Thanks to Team Supporter Allan Brown for the photos.

The Full Team with supporters

 Team Management!!

Kath Hardman HTM Team GBR Manager,  Team Co-Ordinator UK - Carol Mortimer and 

Freestyle Team Leader Lesley Neville and Karen Sykes HTM Team Leader

 The Heelwork To Music Team

 The Freestyle Team

 Lucy Creek with Skiffle - HTM Team and Freestyle Team Reserve
 and Teasel - Freestyle Team

 Helen Dennis with Maia - HTM Team 

 Kath Hardman with Spice Freestyle Team,
Denby and Amber HTM Team

 Nicci Hindson with Nala - Freestyle Team and HTM Team Reserve

 

 Christina Oxtoby with Eze - Freestyle Team

 Karen Sykes with Fly - HTM Team

Team Supporters
Allan Brown, Dylan Smith, Carol Mortimer,
Lesley Neville (now FS Team Leader), David Hardman and Rob Creek

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting this team in anyway by selection or in any other way.  However the Kennel Club of Great Britain has given permission to Louth and District Dog Club to enter a team for Great Britain.

Good Results for the Team competing this weekend

A large competition this weekend saw the team competing with great results.

Saturday was Freestyle Day with Lucy Creek with Teasel and Skiffle winning 1st and 3rd places in a very strong Advanced Freestyle Class. And Lesley Neville "Acting Team Co-Ordinator" being placed 4th with Dewy.

Sunday was Heelwork To Music Day with Kath Hardman and Denby winning 1st Place in the Advanced HTM class of 24.    Karen Sykes and Fly were placed 3rd and Helen Dennis with Maia placed 5th. 

Great team results!

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting this team in anyway by selection or in any other way.  However the Kennel Club of Great Britain has given permission to Louth and District Dog Club to enter a team for Great Britain.

Introducing Karen Sykes and Fly - Heelwork To Music Team Leader

I have 3 dogs, 2 Working Sheepdogs and 1 rescue crossbreed.  Fly, Erin and Midge.  Midge is my one year old working sheepdog and is dancing along nicely to follow in my other dogs’ paw-prints.  Erin is 5 years old and was Reserve Freestyle for Team GB 2013 in Holland.

This is the 3^rd year that Fly has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Open European Championships, which this year is being held in Germany.  The first year I was thrilled when she won the Individual Heelwork to Music Champion title in Denmark and the Team Championship title too.  Last year she had to be withdrawn from the team due to illness but happily she has come bouncing back to compete once again this year.

Fly is a very fast and intense dog who anticipates everything which makes training a real challenge and lots of fun.  Around the home you could not wish for a more loving and well behaved dog, she is a real joy to live with.  Fly has competed at Crufts every year since the very first competition in her speciality of Heelwork to Music.  Our proudest moment in the UK together was winning the Crufts Heelwork to Music competition in 2008. 

I first competed and judged in 2001.  Since then I have continued to compete, judge and teach but never did I imagine back then where this sport would take me.  Thanks to HTM I have travelled the world with my friend Kath Hardman, holding seminars and judging which has resulted in making many great friends through this fabulous sport.

What I love about Heelwork to Music and Freestyle is that it is the only dog sport where you can do exactly what you want to within the rules and let your imagination run free.  You can show-case the individuality of your dog and never have to perform a move that the dog doesn’t like.  Dogs, dancing and music are a magical combination which gives so much joy to many!

I cannot finish my profile without mentioning my constant companion, Allan.  He has been by my side since 1983 encouraging me in everything I have done, looking after our dogs and helping me to achieve things that I never thought possible.  To represent my country is a huge honour and I shall do my very best with Fly.  Whatever the result, I can be sure I will be taking the best dog home to my wonderfully supportive family and friends!

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting this team in anyway by selection or in any other way.  However the Kennel Club of Great Britain has given permission to Louth and District Dog Club to enter a team for Great Britain.

Great Results at Westglen for all Team Members

Westglen HTM Show

This was the first show of the season and all of the members of the Team were competing, and achieved some great results! The Heelwork to Music classes were held in the morning. Advanced HTM had a huge entry and so was split into two parts. Part one was won by Lucy Creek and Border collie, Skiffle (Harriot Skiffle King) closely followed by Kath Hardman and Border Collie, Amber (Stillmoor Lady in Red)  in Second place. Part two was won by Kath Hardman and Border Collie, Denby (Stillmoor Extra Special) with Helen Dennis and Maia (Goddess Spring of Jucando) her WSD in Third place and Karen Sykes and WSD, Fly (Iatka Spring Spangle) in Sixth place.

Line up of HTM Part Two

In the afternoon came the Advanced Freestyle class. First was Nicci Hindson and her WSD, Nala (Ravestar Scarlet Dancer) followed by Kath Hardman and crossbreed, Spice (September Spice) in Second place. Third was Lucy Creek and her Beagle, Teasel (Dialynne Making Waves) and Fourth was Lucy Creek with Border collie Skiffle (Harriot Skiffle King.) Fifth was Christina Oxtoby and Border collie, Eze (Legacy’s Eze Ezekiel.) 

Line up of Advanced Freestyle

So all in all, a great start to the season for The Team

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting this team in anyway by selection or in any other way.  However the Kennel Club of Great Britain has given permission to Louth and District Dog Club to enter a team for Great Britain.

Louth and District Dog Club Announce The Team

Open European Heelwork to Music Championships

14^th to 16^th November 2014

Stuttgart, Germany.

Louth and District are pleased to announce the selected members of the Team  from GB going to Germany this year.  There were more high quality applicants than places this year so apologies to those who did not make it.  The decisions were not easy.

Heelwork Team  (In alphabetical order)

Handler	Dog’s KC name	Breed	Pet name
Lucy Creek	Harriot Skiffle King	Border Collie	Skiffle
Kath Hardman	Stillmoor Lady in Red	Border Collie	Amber
Kath Hardman	Stillmoor Extra Special	Border Collie	Denby
Karen Sykes	Iatka Spring Spangle	WSD	Fly
1st Reserve Nicci Hindson	Ravestar Scarlet Dancer	WSD	Nala
2nd Reserve Helen Dennis	Goddess Spring of Jucando	WSD	Maia

Freestyle Team  (In alphabetical order)

Handler	Dog’s KC name	Breed	Pet name
Lucy Creek	Dialynne Making Waves	Beagle	Teasel
Kath Hardman	September Spice	Crossbreed	Spice
Nicci Hindson	Ravestar Scarlet Dancer	WSD	Nala
Christina Oxtoby	Legacy’s Eze Ezekiel	Border Collie	Eze
1st Reserve Lucy Creek	Harriot Skiffle King	Border Collie	Skiffle
2nd Reserve Lesley Neville	Brambledale Blue Dewy	Bearded Collie	Dewy

Good Luck to them all.

Any offers of sponsorship or permission to raise funds at a show will be greatly appreciated.  They certainly helped a lot last year in Holland.

Carol Mortimer

Please note that the Kennel Club is not supporting this team in anyway by selection or in any other way.  However the Kennel Club of Great Britain has given permission to Louth and District Dog Club to enter a team for Great Britain.