The Kennel Club has announced the names of the heelwork to music competitors who will be part of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle Team GB in 2018.
Four teams have been selected to take part at the World Championships in the Netherlands from 9th - 12th August 2018 and the Open European Championships in Switzerland from 12th - 14th October 2018.
Team manager, Kath Hardman, said: “I am thrilled and excited by the announcement of the HTM GB Teams in 2018 for both the World Championships and the Open European Championships.
“The teams consist of the same dedicated handlers selected in 2017, when they showed tremendous commitment to the sport in achieving team gold in both heelwork to music and in freestyle, a unique HTM Team GB achievement.
“I am very honoured to be Team GB manager of both very strong teams of handlers and dogs and we will obviously try hard to emulate the results from 2017.”
The successful handlers and dogs are as follows:
World Championships, Netherlands, 9th - 12th August 2018
Heelwork to Music
- Lucy Creek with Border Collie, Harriot Skiffle King
- Caroline Garrett with Border Collie, Wildsea Phoenix Of Fire; and as a reserve with Whippet, Midnight Moonshine
- Kath Hardman with Border Collie, Stillmoor Extra Special
- Lucy Heath with Border Collie, Stillmoor Winter Sun
Freestyle
- Lucy Creek with Border Collie, Harriot Skiffle King
- Kath Hardman with Border Collie, Stillmoor Extra Special
- Lucy Heath with Border Collie, Stillmoor Winter Sun; and as a reserve with Border Collie, Stillmoor Star Turn
- Kim Lyddon with Border Collie, Canen You Said What
Open European Championships, Switzerland, 12th - 14th October 2018
Heelwork to Music
- Lucy Creek with Border Collie, Harriot Skiffle King
- Kath Hardman with Border Collie, Stillmoor Extra Special
- Lucy Heath with Border Collie, Stillmoor Winter Sun; and as a reserve with Stillmoor Star Turn
- Karen Sykes with Working Sheepdog, Kingsfarm Spring Surprise
Freestyle
- Lucy Creek with Border Collie, Harriot Skiffle King
- Kath Hardman with Border Collie, Stillmoor Extra Special
- Lucy Heath with crossbreed, Trip Hazard; and as a reserve with one of the following Border Collies, Stillmoor Star Turn or Stillmoor Winter Sun
- Karen Sykes with Working Sheepdog, Kingsfarm Spring Surprise
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We wish Heelwork to Music and Freestyle Team GB all the very best for the World and European Championships in 2018 and will be hoping they can replicate their incredible success of 2017. They are very committed to their sport, so there is no doubt they will fly the flag for Great Britain with great skill and determination.”