Open European Championships 2014: Nala

Monday, 17 November 2014

Sunday 16th November - Freestyle Day

Another early start for the Team - thankfully the Hotel Restaurant started serving at 06:30! A hasty breakfast eaten and the Team were off on their short journey to the OEC Venue for the Freestyle Championships.

The Venue - photo Lucy Creek

There were 14 countries competing in this Championship as follows: Germany, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Italy, Sweden and Austria. with 49 competitors.
Again everyone had been notified of their running orders down to the time to be ready for the Warm Up Ring to the time to make their way to the Arena Entrance to the performance time. This helped immensely with having 4 dogs competing in the event (plus two demonstrations to be done by GBR dogs) and as the draw had been made in country order first - there was plenty of time for each member of the team to support and help prepare the next GBR Competitor.
The draw received was as follows:
10:15 Number 12 Lucy and Teasel
11:59 Number 25 Kath and Spice
13:58 Number 37 Nicci and Nala
15:26 Number 48 Christina and Eze. Unfortunately Eze scuffed a pad sometime Friday and the Team all hoped that it would be good to compete, but Christina realised it was not healed enough and made the tough decision to withdraw from competition which meant the reserves for Freestyle, Lucy and Skiffle would compete in their place.
Lucy was to have taken part in a demo during the lunch break so the organisers were immediately notified Saturday evening of the change in Team for Great Britain.

This is Peter - he was asked to video a flavour
of the competition for one of Team GBR Sponsors CSJ.

First to compete for Team GBR - Lucy with Teasel

Teasel jumping as high as possible!

Kath with Spice

Spice so keen to run fast!!!!!!!!!! Finishing in 26th place.

The State Vet - Photo by Helen Dennis

Straight after Spice had competed, the State Vet arrived to administer the worming tablets for each dog travelling back to Great Britain the following day. Microchips scanned and checked against each Pet Passport, worming tablet given and the necessary notes with stamps made into the correct page! Phew - all done and ready to enter GB any time on Monday from 13:00. Sorted!

Nicci with Nala

Ah - don't cry - all going well ;-) Finishing in 16th place.

Lucy with Skiffle this time!

Special lighting effects added to the drama!!
Finishing in 25th place

A chance for the Team to watch the final routines.
It was certainly busy!

Lesley with Dewy

Demo time after the competition.

The FS Team - placed 8th

The Judges - Freestyle Day

Lucy with a hiding Teasel!

A happy Nicci and Nala - 16th place

Smiling Lucy with Skiffle in 25th place

Kath with Spice in 26th place

The Individual FS Winner Sandra Roth from Germany

The Team Winners - RUSSIA

Sadly, the Championships for 2014 were over - the competition was a great success for the organisers and was certainly a success with all the handlers.
Well Done to Carmen Schmidt and all the Team of helpers and stewards. You all made the Championship a very happy affair for all attending.

Team GBR had competed well, enjoyed their experience, had been proud and honoured to be there and now looked forward to their evening meal with fellow team members and the journey home on Monday.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

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!!