Strictly Canine Heelwork to Music Competition

9 July 2022

My Grantham training students, Kate Russell with Hank (Springer cross Poodle) and Lucy Hardisty with Ruby (Springer Spaniel) both made their debuts at a proper Kennel Club Heelwork to Music competition for the first time at this show, and both of them placed well in a very large Starters Freestyle class! Kate and Hank taking 5th and Lucy and Ruby taking 6th. I have to give special mention to Lucy with Ruby as it is the absolute best I have ever seen the two of them work together anywhere (I wish that my first competition had gone so well!).

Naomi Evans with Rogue (Border Collie) worked a STUNNING round in the Advanced Heelwork to Music class, placing 3rd.

Naomi and Phoebe (Border Collie) also took 6th in both Novice Heelwork to Music and Novice Freestyle.

Stars of the day were our beloved Marian Green and Scout (Golden Retriever cross Border Collie), WINNING the Novice Freestyle class with an excellent score. I have to admit that I already knew Marian had won, as my partner Ross had been collecting the scores from the judges for the class, and I was eagerly awaiting her reaction!

As for me, I was not feeling it at all, with losing my 16 year old Sheltie Ash earlier in the week. I didn’t even go into the ring for any of my heelwork classes. I had a go at Strike’s first Intermediate Freestyle class, and it was the worst we have ever worked in the ring together. We still managed 2nd place with a good score but I think I learned my lesson to not try to work my dogs when my head is not in the right place.

I was thrilled to be there to support my lovely students and I’m so happy for all of our members that achieved such great results!