Towards the end of 2003 I began to receive some very funny phone calls, a very nice person, but a little cagey about giving out too much information. At first all she would say was that she was producing a documentary about dog sports, Mary Ray was heavily involved and was I available on 2 particular dates. To cut a long story short, it was Louise Dibley of RDF Media, who make the "Faking It" programme for Channel 4.

Karen and Fly Winners of Faking It Channel 4 Photo Courtesy of Allan Brown

For those who have never seen the programme, the concept is that somebody is taught a skill in a very short space of time. They are then entered into a competition alongside seasoned competitors and placed according to their performance. Finally the judges are taken to one side and told that one of the competitors has only recently been taught the skill and they are asked to pick out the "Faker" from the others. Previous programmes have included show jumping, female impersonation and surfing to name but a few.

So it was on the 7th September 2003 that I found myself cloaked in secrecy, for I was not allowed to tell anyone what I was doing, and en-route to Ascot Racecourse with my partner, Allan and our two dogs Kes and Fly. I was invited to take part in the programme as one of the competitors in a HTM/Freestyle competition, which was being staged to see if the judges could spot the fake!

The competition was filmed during a Richmond Championship Breed Show. Happily the spectators who were there to see breed showing didn’t mind us using their main ring and appreciated the performances put on by all the handlers.

Before the competition there was a lot to do. RDF Media wanted many stills and video shots along with interviews with all of the competitors. At last I was to meet the other 3 dogs & handlers for the day. Although I had asked frequently who else was included, Louise had not been allowed to tell me. As expected I knew 2 of them, but it was also nice to meet our "faker" who was very friendly and owned a delightful dog. We were all assigned "minders" who looked after our every need and ensured that we did not tell anyone what we were doing. A slip up at this point could end the whole programme!

The 3 judges then joined us at the benches and interviewed each competitor as the cameras rolled. They wished us all good luck and left.

At last it was time for the competition. I had been to look at the size of the ring earlier that day and was pleased to see that there was a good large area to work in. Imagine my surprise when I turned up to perform and found half of the space taken up by cameras, microphones, lighting gantries and TV personnel! I quickly readjusted my routine in my head to fit the space, and then I was in with Fly by my side, keen as ever and not in the least bit phased by all the strange lights and equipment.

Peter Purves introduced each team and all four routines were performed for the judges. Peter then interviewed us whilst the judges made their deliberations. Finally the positions were decided and the rosettes awarded in reverse order.

I was so pleased to be awarded first place, Fly had danced her heart out for me and really deserved the red one! But most of all I was relieved not to have been thought the faker! Incidentally Rob & Bobbie were not spotted as the fakes, well done to them!

I would like to thank my fellow competitors, David Moxon and Julie Collingwood for a super day, the camaraderie was brilliant. Thanks to Rob Archer, the faker and Bobbie, his borrowed rescue dog, what a super pair. Thanks also to the organisers of Richmond Championship Dog Show for allowing us time in their main ring. Thanks to the folks of RDF Media for looking after us throughout the day and giving us the opportunity to bring this fabulous sport to the notice of thousands of TV viewers throughout the country. Finally, a big thank you to Allan, Fly, Kes and Top Lodge Dancing Dogs, without whom I would never have achieved a routine that got me noticed by the TV company in the first place.