I have been involved in dogs all my life and obedience for the past 40 years, gaining 13 personal titles in the show ring and obedience. 

I became involved in Dances With Dogs about 12 years ago when I met Mary Ray at Crufts and we have been friends ever since.   She has been out to my Camp Tailwaggers on the Gold Coast quite a few times holding seminars on HTM (Heelwork to Music as it is called in the U.K.) 

I achieved my Judges Licence in DWD this year and was thrilled to judge the Brisbane Royal.  This being the first year of competition in Australia it has showcased the beginning of this new sport here in Queensland and it will go from strength to strength.  I am looking forward to being a part of it with my Blue Merle Border Collie "Switch".

I became involved in obedience in 1980, first with German Shepherds and then with Golden Retrievers. I have taken several dogs to CDX titles, and Gemma has two legs towards her UD title.  I have also competed in conformation showing.

My first introduction to DWD was a video clip of Carolyn Scott and her amazing Rookie. That took my breath away – particularly since Rookie was a Golden.  I was then fortunate enough to be able to attend the first Mary Ray workshop conducted at Camp Tailwaggers.  Since then have been hooked on DWD and have been an eager participant at a variety of DWD training workshops, including those presented by Mary Ray and Maree Field. I have also learned a great deal from watching training videos from overseas enthusiasts.

I started working Gemma in DWD more seriously at the end of the 2008 obedience competition year, and in 2009 she qualified in all the competitions she entered, gaining her DWD Freestyle Novice title and two legs towards her DWD HTM Novice title.

In 2008 I was a member of the national consultative group working on the development of rules for DWD, leading to recognition of DWD as an official, ANKC sanctioned, canine discipline and in 2009 I was instrumental in the formation of the Dances with Dogs Club, Queensland, and have had the privilege of being the inaugural President of the Club.

I undertook DWD judges’ training in 2009, and am grateful to Coral Pethers and Barbara Murfet for the excellent training program they conducted.  In 2009 I had one judging appointment which I found both enjoyable and challenging.  I look forward to more competitions – both as a competitor and as a judge – during 2010.