Page 105 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

CRUFTS 2020

Heelwork To Music Final

Report by Kath Hardman (Head Judge) Photos by Alan V Walker
Day two of judging at Crufts – decided to wear a some freestyle moves to incorporate the prop of “the
skirt and heels – would I be able to walk across the moon”.
hallowed “Astro” turf in those – well yes, I did and it Our next competitor
felt great to dress up and respect being invited to was Christina Oxtoby
take part in this great occasion. with her Border Collie
I met my fellow judges, Pamela Ruscoe and Dawn Legacy’s Heaven
Hill again backstage of the Main Arena – competitors Sent Shai. Using
were dressing, warming themselves and their dogs the music “FEVER”
up, gathering themselves together in order to show by Michael Buble,
the results of a year’s very hard work to not only Christina showed great
those in the audience, but to those all over the world musicality and a good
as this event was live streamed via YouTube. range of heelwork
Once again, there were ten competitors in this final, positions performed
those who had been placed in the Top Ten at the by Shai, incorporating
Semi Final held way back in January 2020, so this many directions of
would be their final performances at Crufts of those work with a number of
very special routines. Freestyle poses marking the music really well.
First to take centre Anne Shuker was next
stage was Cathy Bates to perform with her
with her very young Crossbreed Freckle
Border Collie, Sarkam Frenzy to the music
Twinkle Toes - Twinkle. “Confrontation” by
Cathy wore a delightful, the Cast of Jekyll
finely pleated and Hyde. A clever
dress which flowed costume worn by Anne
beautifully when she showing a very definite
moved working to “I split personality – on
Dreamed A Dream” by one side Jekyll was
Patti Lupon. Twinkle kind and movements
managed a very were soft and on
creditable routine with Cathy using very gentle verbal turning she became the mysterious and disturbing Mr
cues along with carefully choreographed dance Hyde. Freckle worked so well with both very different
movements. They performed a good balance of heel personalities, covering a wide range of heelwork
work positions with very timely pivots interpreting the positions which is expected at this level of working
music. at Crufts.
Next into the ring Lucy Heath with her Border Collie Stillmoor Winter
was Michelle Dodson Sun was the next pairing into the ring. Taking on
with her Border Collie a routine they had choreographed to a mix from
Kinaway Doctor Foster Grease – the audience
– Devon. Devon is a were captivated as
beautiful red and white they worked at speed
dog, very attentive through the four minute
of Michelle’s every routine. Lucy covered
move as they worked every speed though,
to “Lost Boy” by Ruth reducing to very slow
B. Michelle wore a in places matching the
fabulous costume, music perfectly and
very fitting for this managing to maintain
music with nothing to detract any attention away from control giving the dog
her dog. The music was slow but this team managed good accuracy.
to include a good variety of heelwork positions and

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