CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Activities => Other Activities => Topic started by: Mybuddies on November 15, 2011, 06:28:09 PM
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Well we finally went and did it, after a couple of years of well on and off training, Poppy and ella (and obviously myself) have competed at
KC licenced Heelwork to music competitions,
our first show was held at West Glen, the venue was exceptionally small with dogs and people jostling for room, despite Ella being very on edge with unknown people/dogs/environment we both managed to present a nice routine in the starters HTM class dancing to Bad Romance by Lady Gaga ph34r, ok some of the freestyle parts at the beginning did not go to plan and because the ring size was very small she occasionally returned to her prop where we had started the routine, we were placed a very credible 7th in a class of 18 :cool4:
Poppy and I then competed in the Starters freestyle class and danced to Come follow the band from Barnum, poppy is quite the opposite to ella and loves crowds (people and dogs) so I was very surprised when poppy never put a foot wrong throughout the whole routine and responded to the move cues as soon as asked, we were placed 10th in a class of 14 I think but i was told I had slightly too much heelwork in a freestyle routine and i know the ending was a little messy (I was asking poppy to roll a musical drum with her feet and I was pulling it with my hands , unfortunately we only managed to have the drum for a fortnight before the show and did not perfect the move intime)
all in all we acheived 100 times more than I ever expected to in our first show and am still shell shocked at how they both remained with me :D
Anyway our second show soon loomed 2 weeks later at Aberystwyth (last saturday), unfortunately Poppy came in season afew days previous and was unable to go but ella competed for the 2nd time in starters htm and am pleased to say she was placed 3rd in class of 14, we acheived some immaculate heelwork positions (something which is quite hard with a small dog) but we did mess up the freestyle beginning and end a bit :shades:
So, Ella has collected 4 of the 14 points needed to move up to the next class :banana: but this is something I am in no rush to do as both ella and myself need more performing experience :005:
What I would like to say is any of you which are training a little bit of htm , do have a go at the competitions everyone is so friendly in this discipline and received loads of positive comments (particularly about working spaniels :lol2:) and helpful advice from complete strangers whom watched the routines, well we now have plenty to work at now over the winter before we start some competitions in the spring but in a very long winded way :005: I am trying to say how proud I am of my girls, they are little gems :luv:
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:clapping: :clapping: Wow well done you must be really proud of your clever girls and yourself :luv:
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Well done to you and your girls!!! :clapping: You're very brave competing at HTM - I have 2 left feet... Congratulations. Hope you continue to enjoy it and fly the cocker flag.
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Well done to you & the girls :clapping: :banana: :clapping:
You have every right to be proud of them :003:
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Very well done with Ella and Poppy. :clapping: Well done with all your training it is not easy finding the music working out the moves and teaching the routine with your dog.
Competed in March with Jessie at HTM at a show Findon Down, but she decided to sniff round the hall but managed to do the end of the routine. Have done a couple of progress awards, Have you tried them?
Have now decided to retire Jessie as she did not seem keen to work on routines. Also the cost of classes and petrol etc. was making it expensive. So now we just dance round the kitchen ;)
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Well done - what a great start...
Meg started doing HTM with Lou when he was a pup but didn't keep it up or do any comps.
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Well done! :clapdance: Any videos?x
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Thanks everyone :D
Very well done with Ella and Poppy. :clapping: Well done with all your training it is not easy finding the music working out the moves and teaching the routine with your dog.
Competed in March with Jessie at HTM at a show Findon Down, but she decided to sniff round the hall but managed to do the end of the routine. Have done a couple of progress awards, Have you tried them?
Have now decided to retire Jessie as she did not seem keen to work on routines. Also the cost of classes and petrol etc. was making it expensive. So now we just dance round the kitchen ;)
tbh going off sniffing was actually my biggest fear :005: and i concentrated alot in the preceding weeks in keeping their attention on me in all sorts of positions, I also made the conscious decision to let them have some sniffing down time in the ring during the warm up slot before the show commenced and it seemed to work as they never let me down on that score at all :o
Funnily enough we had a progress award training day with Margaret Booth about 10 days ago, although I have to admit I had decided it was something I probably would not be able to commit to, as I have enough trouble chreographing a routine to my own choices of moves never mind a pre determined test :shades: I think we might focus a bit more towards the move development scheme :-\
My biggest gripe is lack of time to train (particularly in the winter), I also show my tribe in the breed show ring and the show trimming takes up hugh amounts of my time , as well as performing with our local display team during the summer; which in some ways is quite detrimental to the htm as trying to keep the display tidy etc occasionally some naughty habits get allowed (eg sniffing the grass and picking up discarded burger buns) :005:
Am sorry the htm didnt suit Jessie, not all activities suit all dogs do they, I used to show Ella last year but she didnt really enjoy that, too many other dogs around at the same time which is why she is alot happier performing on her own in the htm ring ;)
No vids sorry......maybe in the spring!!!, but might have some photos when my friend passes them over to me
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We did a freestyle progress award and got a distinction for that but failed the next one. Trying to find a space to practice in is hard. Though have done practise for a routine in winter in our local tennis courts in the park :005:
If you get a chance to do a Richard Curtis workshop well worth doing. Did one at the beginning of last month was really good.
Erica.
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If you get a chance to do a Richard Curtis workshop well worth doing. Did one at the beginning of last month was really good.
Erica.
Yes he is fab he explains everything so well doesnt he, we have had him twice now and hoping to get him back next year.......... cant wait :lol2:
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brilliant stuff, well done :clapping: :clapping:
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Well done, hopefully we will see you at some of the competitions.
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:clapping: :clapping: Well done all three of you :clapping: :clapping:
You have every right to be proud of them, and of yourself!! Would luv to see any pics when you get some and can't wait to hear more about your progress.
Mel X
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Sorry only just read this sweetie so a bit late in congratulating. Big well done from us here, you have so much more confidence than me. Very proud of you. See you soon :luv: