National Finals '10- Day One Open

We are very proud of Donnie! He worked very hard for his run today and ended the day in third place. Robin French and her nursery dog, Bill, a son of Joanie Swanke's Lew won the day with a stellar run and Carla King was second. Alasdair and Nap also worked hard for their run and should have no trouble advancing to the semis along with Tricia MacRae who had a great run but didn't get her single. Even without that her run will advance, I'm sure.
Don was sent to the left on his outrun and overran slightly at the top

Scott prepares to send Don on his outrun

(there is a plateau there where the dogs and sheep don't see each other) it caused no damage and he had a nice lift but as in so many other runs, the sheep tore off down the left side of the field. Donnie got them stopped before the fetch panels and then fought them to the line and through the fetch panels. It was a difficult turn around the post and the drive line was good but just as hard as it was for all the dogs. They had a nice turn and a very good crossdrive line.

Don turns the sheep at the drive away panel

At the end of the line, there is a ditch that the sheep have to go through and they came out on the high side so Donnie and Scott had to do some maneuvering to get through the panels.

Don takes the sheep into the ditch on the crossdrive

They had a nice shed (you must take the one collared ewe with one of any of the other collared ewes) and had to work for the pen

Don catches a belligerent ewe at the pen

(they got much easier to pen as the day went on and went as far as running into the pen for some handlers, like Patrick Shannahan). After the pen they went back to the ring and shed off one uncollared ewe and it was done.

Scott and Don take a single

Both Scott and Donnie were hot and happy when it was over.
Tomorrow Lad and I are due up around 2PM. Unfortunately, they are expecting 93 degree heat with a chance of showers which equals humidity. I will play it by ear as to what I will do. I won't hesitate to quit my run early if the sheep continue to be difficult and it gets too hot. I am just excited that Don has done well enough to move on to the semis and Laddie and I will take what comes.