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 Driving 1,500 Miles to Denmark for HTM
‘Twinned with Denmark’ that’s how I feel after my 3rd visit to Denmark in one year, and it feels good! Each time Kath & I have visited Denmark (DK) we have become more and more involved. Our first visit was to Judge at Denmark’s very first competition which was held by the Border Collie Club of Denmark. Our second visit was by invitation of the Danish Kennel Club who asked us to head two training seminars (Judging and Choreography), assess potential judges for suitability and judge at the first HTM Competition held by the Danish KC. Our third visit was once again for the DK BC Club who asked us to judge their first Competition to be held under the DK KC Rules and direct a training seminar. They also suggested that we should compete too! Pet Passports The Journey The 3½ hour ferry crossing went very smoothly, landing in the Hook of Holland slightly ahead of time. Kath and I passed our time on the ferry in the cinema. Now that was a strange experience… watching ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ whilst at sea. The ship on the screen would roll to starboard as our own rolled to port! What a weird experience!
On landing in Holland at 23:30 local time, we hastily found somewhere for the dogs to take a quick comfort break before driving on through rainy, dark Holland, through Germany and finally, with dawn breaking, into Denmark. The one thing we found really strange was that at no time did anyone check our passports, or the dogs’ for that matter. Four countries and not one Passport Control! Our last landmark before arriving at our accommodation was to cross The Great Belt Bridge (at 18Km long, the second longest bridge in the world!) with its fabulous views. We finally arrived at our apartment mid-morning, 21 hours after leaving home; we then ate lunch and took a well earned siesta. Friday was a much needed rest and relaxation day. The morning dawned a little grey and damp, but Kath and I were feeling much refreshed and happily joined Emmy Simonsen and her dogs for a wonderful walk through the Danish countryside. Competition and Judging
Saturday was the day of the Competition. Kath and I were to judge classes 1 & 2 in both HTM and FS. There was also a special class, the ‘Crufts 2007 Qualifier’ which was open to any Danish handler whose dogs were eligible to travel to the UK in March 2007 on the ‘Pet Passport’ scheme, to take part in the First International HTM Competition to be held at Crufts. Dressed in our finest judging outfits, Kath and I entered the Hall at Naestved where we had judged their first ever competition just one year ago. The ring looked magnificent, the perfect size and freshly carpeted that morning. The big difference from the previous year was the number of people. This sport has really grown in popularity! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to meet our co-judge once again, Knud Djernes. The day began with HTM Class 1, Starters. There were 14 competitors showing a very good standard overall. The winner of the class was Emmy Simonsen with her Border Collie Robbie (24.4), second was Johanna Allanach with Spooky (23.9) and third was taken by Annette Dalgaard and Zico (23.7). Class 2, Intermediate, had only one competitor, the only team in Denmark to win enough points to compete in that class, Emmy Simonsen and her BC Whisper. Their routine was awarded 27.2 points, a worthy score for a super win! Next was the Crufts Qualifier Class. This class was judged by just Kath and I as the DK KC wanted it judging under the newly amended British KC Freestyle rules and marking system to give their representative the best possible chance in the ring in March 2007. There were 4 teams competing for this privilege, but the winners by a large margin were Emmy Simonsen and Whisper with 25.5. Emmy also took the reserve with her Sheltie, Biscuit, scoring 24.7. Third place went to Marianne Blom Larson and Meghann (22.4) and in fourth place was Annette Dalgaard with Zico (21.1) After lunch it was our turn to be judged in Class 3, Advanced HTM. Over the past year we had been teaching the Danes how to judge and how to choreograph a routine. To say that we felt that our reputations were at stake was an understatement! Happily we did not let ourselves or our dogs down and managed performances which impressed both the audience and judges. Fly “tangoed” into first place with 28.1, second was Kath and Amber dancing to Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (26.4) and in third place was Kath with Spice, to Orange Coloured Sky (25.5) A quick change back into our suits and we returned to our places at the judges’ table for Class 1 Starters Freestyle which had attracted a huge entry of 26 teams. Again, there were some very creditable performances that would not look out of place in the higher classes. First was Emmy Simonsen with her Sheltie, Biscuit (26.6). Second was Christina Ingerslev and Chillie (23.8) and third was Rikke Lund Adamson with Chili (23.7). Class 2, Intermediate, again had just one competitor – Emmy Simonsen and Whisper. They scored a very respectable 26.9 with their lovely routine to The Lord of the Rings. Once more Kath and I were scheduled for another quick change into costumes with Kes and Spice competing in Class 3, Advanced Freestyle. The weather had turned very nasty outside, with the rain coming down in one big sheet – sideways! For safety’s sake we were allowed to warm the dogs up in the ring as long as no food was used. No problem as Kes and Spice are more than happy to work for a ball or a tuggy :-).
Spice flew into first place with a score of 28.9 with Kes skipping in just behind her with 28.7 We were very pleased that all our dogs performed so well for us, after a very tiring journey and an extremely long day when we were busy judging for the majority of the time, they were superb.
Our final judging appointment of the day was for the 6+ Class where there must be more than 6 legs in the ring. As in Britain, this is where we see handlers working a brace or more, or sometimes just 1 dog with many handlers. It is always interesting to see what combinations people come up with. In first place was Annette Dalgaard with her 2 dogs Zico and Devin (24.4). In second place were Johanna Allanach and Whizz with Marianne Blom Larsen and Meghann (23.2) All the prize giving was done at the end of the day. There were lovely rosettes and food prizes from Oliver’s Pet Foods along with various other gifts for those placed. The whole event was very well run and supported by many spectators. The buffet at lunch time was wonderful, supplied by Lis, who also invited us for a splendid dinner during our stayl Training Days
Sunday and Monday were Training Days. We had been asked to head a one day seminar to teach handlers new moves, improve their existing skills and help with motivation. The day was soon over-subscribed, so we agreed to hold a second day to accommodate those who were not able to get a place on the first one. Again, it was good to see so many familiar faces and to be able to help the teams who we had watched over the past year to improve their skills and repertoires. The second day brought more familiar faces and also some people who we had not met before. The enthusiasm on both days was tremendous. Kath & I really enjoyed working with everyone and it was so nice to have our own dogs there to demonstrate what we wanted them to achieve and also to loan to one or two handlers to help them to understand the importance of their own accuracy in luring skills. We finished each day by putting a short routine together, which everyone joined in with as pairs. There was a lot of laughter and a great deal of fun for all on both days. A Day of Rest
Following 3 days of quite intensive work it was a relief to rise and shine on Tuesday morning knowing that we had nothing to do but please ourselves. Dogs must be kept on a lead in most places in Denmark and if you are seen running a dog in a prohibited area there is an instant fine of £50. Fortunately, we had discovered a lovely walk through some woods not far from the apartment where we were staying. These woods were full of surprises with different man-made structures dotted all over the place. The most amazing thing we came across was a Flying Trapeze practice area – Yes! A proper trapeze with safety harnesses and tracking lines – the works, right in the middle of the woods! What a shame we never saw the owners using it, now that would have been something to write home about! Preparation For Home and a Visit to the Vet The Journey Home The final leg of the journey went quite quickly and Kath was soon dropping me off at home. It was lovely to see Allan again and Kath couldn’t wait to get away to see David, Ginnie and Tipp. Thank you to The Border Collie Club of Denmark for inviting us once again and to the people of Denmark for making us so welcome. So welcome, in fact, that we have already accepted their invitation to return again next year! |
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