Shaker Village Day Two - Open

I went to a very nice dinner tonight at the Shaker Village dining room so I didn't get the scores for nursery. Sorry! I will post them, along with a nursery description tomorrow morning. Also, I forgot to mention that the judge is Annie O'Toole
As for the open class, it started with rain but it stopped shortly after noon and just stayed overcast with a temperature around 61 for the rest of the day. The sheep are still of good quality, but they have decided they like going up hills (of which there are several dips up and down on the drive lines) and they now KNOW where the exhaust is so things have gotten a little tricky. Scott ran Drift in the late morning and he ran a very good run and hit all his panels. He also had a good shed and pen and finished with a score of 86.
I ran Laddie next and I can breathe a sigh of relief because Lad is back to his old self. In fact, maybe better 'cause he had a clean outrun (Lad is a horrible outrunner). However, I was so afraid of him going back to his bad self of the last trial that I was handling him a little delicately and maybe lost a few points because of it. He made all his panels, perhaps despite me and had a decent shed and pen. His sheep really wanted to go to the exhaust so I panicked a little in the shed ring to try and avoid this. Fortunately, since he was back to normal, he handled my worry without panicking himself. His final score was an 83
Next Scott ran Maid who had an outstanding run.

Scott setting Maid up for her outrun

He did blow her out once on the outrun but the rest of the run was clean. She had a nice shed and held a fairly difficult ewe.

Maid holds her single

These sheep like the pen so if you stay out of their way, you can get a good points without working too hard. She ended up with a 92. - I guess I don't have alot of descriptions for Scott's two runs but there wasn't much bad to say about them. On mine, however...
Hemp ran next. After the problems we'd had at the last trial (him circling the sheep in front of the drive panels - while I got panel panic) we had been working on our drive. He has made big strides and had a very good run and listened to every whistle, even the quiet ones but since we were still training on our new methods, I couldn't go for broke on the run (we are working on control). Therefore, the drive turns and consequently the drive lines were not as good as they could be. He came in nice on the shed but since the sheep like to peel around you, he caught his single a little roughly and I had to yell LIE DOWN before we got a DQ. The pen was again easy and we got an 81.

OPEN Day one: (58 dogs)
1. Christine Henry and Rook
2. Connie Brannen and Peach
3. Scott Glen and Maid
4. Vergil Holland and Brooke
5. Virgil Holland and Dally
6. Mike Hanley and Moss
7. Paul Tucker and Rick
8. Mike Hanley and Streak
9. Lyle Lad and Shep
10. Jim Valley and Lita

Shaker Village Day One

Harrodsburg, Kentucky - The Shaker Village trial is held, obviously, at a Shaker Village. The buildings have been restored and the farm is still going.

Shaker Town's main street

It is very entertaining history but of course, we were here for a dog trial. So we followed a windy road to the back of the working farm to a field behind the barns. It is in a beautiful bowl shape with the sheep set at the top of a fairly steep hill. Apparently the sheep are owned by Anne Keller and come from the Bluegrass open flock. So far they are honest and in good shape. Today's weather was about 70F and overcast most of the day but the thunderstorms have held off so far. They are telling us sprinkles and 61 tomorrow and very cold rain on Sunday. Unfortunately, the usually picturesque green field was brown due to a weed kill but next year it will be green again.
The morning started with the Pro- Novice (outrun about 200 yrds, drive to one panel and pen). We had only one pro-novice and ranch class at this trial but there will be another nursery tomorrow. Terry Shaeffer's Jess was the first of our dogs to go and we were so proud of her. She didn't get the greatest score but it was such an improvement that we were very excited. She had one redirect up the hill but was a little tight at the top and the sheep took off running and she never had a chance to get her fetch panels.

Terry Sheaffer's Alba Jess

The first leg of a drive dipped down a little bit before climbing up to the first drive panel. She had a bobble in front of that panel but made them through.

Jess driving to the panels

Then she had a nice easy pen.
Our second dog to run was Whiskey and with a clean outrun and good balance behind the sheep he managed to snag the second place position.

Pro Novice: (23 dogs) unofficial
1. Claudia Frank and Wyn
2.Scott Glen and Whiskey
3. Robert Kelley and Cody
4. Kate Ash and Midge
5. Lyle Lad and Sid
6. 7. Tie unbroken:
Robin French and Bill
Paule Tucker and Tyne
8.Gayle Garrison and Molly
9. Scott Glen and Jess
10. Cy Peterson and Emma

The Ranch class started just after the Pro Novice. Scott ran Donnie first but didn't get a chance to spot with him. The sheep had been moved another 100 yrds up the field in a hollow of the hill. Unfortunately, Don never found his sheep. Scott also ran Tuque in this class. We weren't sure if she saw the sheep when she went out but she bravely ran up the hill and got up to the very top. Unfortunately, she had gotten too far above the sheep and was confused with the set out pens right there. Scott blew her over but without knowing where the sheep were, she offered to flank back behind the set out. Scott then blew her a recall whistle which brought her down within sight of the sheep but then she got a little hung up on the set out person. One more whistle got her in the right position and then she got back on course. The rest of the run was very good but unfortunately, with all the time and points lost on the outrun she ran out of time on the pen and it really hurt her putting her only into a tie for seventh place.

Ranch: (19 dogs) unofficial
1. Debbie Bailey and Camp
2. Vergil Holland and Scott
3.Ann Lamar and Ty
4.Linda Tesdahl and Suede
5. 6. Tie not broken
Lyle Lad and Gin
Mike Hanley and Shy
7. 8.9.
Ties not broken
Jerry Alleyne and Wink
Scott Glen and Tuque
Denice Rackley and Blu
10. Ann Spearman and Newt

The first nursery class was the last class of the day.
Scott's first dog was Diane Pagel's Sleat. She was very good with a clean outrun and a strong fetch. Her drive was right on line and she made her first panels. Then, shortly before the crossdrive panels in a dip on the field, Sleat took her only wrong flank and messed up her beautiful line, and missed the panel. She was so close to getting her last nursery leg but that flank lost it for her and she ended up in fifth.
The next dog to run was River. The big outrun on the hill fooled River and he never found his sheep.
Finally, Scott ran Don who had a good outrun this time. Overall it was a very nice run and he made all his panels but it was slightly wobbly so the best it got him was fourth place.

Nursery Day One: (16 dogs) unofficial
1. Lyle Lad and Sid
2. Jerry Alleyne and Wink
3. Vergil Holland and Scott
4. Scott Glen and Don
5. Scott Glen and Sleat
6. Linda Tesdahl and Suede
7. Robin French and Bill
8. Claudia Frank and Wyn
9. Dave Murry and Kate
10. Kate Ash and Maddie

The Next Trial

We are currently in Michigan at the home of Terry Sheaffer.

Scott working in Michigan

We've had the week off from trialing so we have been dodging raindrops and getting the dogs geared up to go again. The last trial showed us where we needed improvement and what needed fixing.
Some, ahem, needed more fixing then others,

Laddie waits his turn to work

But most of the dogs just needed a tune up.

Scott working nursery dog, Sleat

We will be leaving tomorrow to head down to Harrodsburg, Kentucky to the Shaker Village Trial. The temperature is supposed to hover in the mid sixties but they are expecting rain all weekend and some thunderstorms on Friday. However, I don't think they are planning on the horrible downpour they had last year and I just can't believe it could be any worse than Plumb Lucky! (knock on wood) There are 67 open dogs and 18 nursery. Friday they will run Pro Novice, Ranch and Nursery I. Saturday will be Open I and Nursery II and Sunday will be Open II and the top five combined open scores will go to a double lift late Sunday afternoon.
I will once again try to post scores and pictures as soon as the classes are done but if I get bad reception again, I will save all the info and post it on Monday.
Wish us luck!

Plumb Lucky Placings

Here's the official top placings in every class...

Open 1: (55 dogs)

1	SCOTT GLEN	MAID	92
2	LYLE LAD	JUSTE	90
3	LYLE LAD	TELL	89
4	ALLEN HICKENBOTTOM	VIC	89
5	ALASDAIR MacRAE	LYN	88
6	ROY TABER	BISCUIT	88
7	SCOTT GLEN	ROO	86
8	ALASDAIR MacRAE	STAR	85
9	BOB SALMON	SCOTT	84
10	LINDA MEYER	BESS	83

Open 2: (54 dogs)

1	SCOTT GLEN	DRIFT	95
2	ALASDAIR MacRAE	STAR	88
3	MARILYN TERPSTRA	QUEEN	85
4	THAD FLEMING	BILL	81
5	MIKE GORACKE	JOSEY	81
6	DON RUSSELL	BEN	79
7	PEG ANDERSON	SILK	79
8	LYLE LAD	TELL	79
9	ROSE ANDERSON	SHEN	78
10	ALLEN HICKENBOTTOM	MEG	77

Nursery 1: (18 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	FOX	84
2	ALASDAIR MacRAE	HANNA	83
3	ROSE ANDERSON	BUZZ	80
4	ALASDAIR MacRAE	MOLLY	80
5	LYLE EAST	JIG	71

Nursery 2: (21 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	HANNA	79
2	ROSE ANDERSON	BUZZ	76
3	SCOTT GLEN	TUQUE	76
4	LINDA MEYER	FAITH	74
5	LYLE LAD	SID	68

Nursery 3: (19 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	MOLLY	81
2	ROSE ANDERSON	BUZZ	77
3	ALASDAIR MacRAE	HANNA	74
4	MICKEY WELSH	BO	73
5	LINDA MEYER	FAITH	72

Nursery 4: (17 dogs)

1	SCOTT GLEN	TUQUE	78
2	SCOTT GLEN	SLEAT	75
3	ROSE ANDERSON	BUZZ	74
4	ROY TABER	CRAIG	72
5	ALASDAIR MacRAE	FOX	69

Open Ranch 1: (35 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	FOX	82
2	ALASDAIR MacRAE	HANNA	80
3	LYLE LAD	GIN	78
4	LARRY MOORE	TIB	78
5	PEG ANDERSON	SPOT	76
6	LYLE EAST	JIGS	75
7	ALASDAIR MacRAE	REX	75
8	GARY WESTBROOK	JAY	74
9	JOHN WENTZ	CHUCK	74
10	JOHN CLEVELAND	SHEP	69

Open Ranch 2: (35 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	FOX	82
2	ALASDAIR MacRAE	HANNA	80
3	LYLE LAD	GIN	78
4	LARRY MOORE	TIB	78
5	PEG ANDERSON	SPOT	76
6	LYLE EAST	JIGS	75
7	ALASDAIR MacRAE	REX	75
8	GARY WESTBROOK	JAY	74
9	JOHN WENTZ	CHUCK	74
10	JOHN CLEVELAND	SHEP	69

Ranch 1: (32 dogs)

1	ALASDAIR MacRAE	SARA	66
2	MONTY HOUGE	GUS	64
3	WYATT FLEMING	VICTOR	62
4	ALLEN HICKENBOTTOM	MOLLIE	60
5	MARILYN TERPSTRA	GEM	60
6	BOB JOHNSON	RALPH	55
7	LYLE LAD	SID	55
8	JANICE MOORE	CASS	54
9	ROBIN REASONER	HAWKE	53
10	BOB JOHNSON	JAG	49

Ranch 2: (31 dogs)

1	ALLEN HICKENBOTTOM	MOLLIE	76
2	BOB JOHNSON	JAG	71
3	ALASDAIR MacRAE	SARA	70
4	ALASDAIR MacRAE	ALBA COLL	66
5	PEG ANDERSON	PIP	63
6	MIKE GORACKE	SAM	63
7	SAM SMITH	TREY	62
8	TRICIA MacRAE	ALBA BEN	61
9	BOB JOHNSON	RALPH	59
10	MONTY HOUGE	GUS	58

Novice 1: (7 dogs)

1	SHANE HALL	SADIE
2	KATHLEEN OWEN	JOHNNIE
3	BOB TOWNER	ZEPHYR

Novice 2: (7 dogs)

1

BOB TOWNER

ZEPHYR

Youth: (1 dog)

1

CARRIE HUSBAND

SKEET

Plumb Lucky Trial - Day Two Open

The second day of open wasn't any dryer but our trial hosts were outstanding. They have one of the most hospitable trials and any thing you need they will give you.

Thad Fleming, our tired but hard working trial host

We love this trial for that reason. And thank goodness for their big tractor that could pull all trucks and campers out of the mud whenever you were ready to leave.
Maid's second day did not go as well as the first. Most of the way around the course she was good and her shed and pen were good but she had a running group of sheep and a hard rain again and it started to wear on her. On the third leg of the drive she buzzed the sheep. She didn't make contact but the judge punished her by only giving her 8 points for her drive. Unfortunately, that took her out of the running for the overall buckle.
Roo slashed again at the top and never quite settled down again. He headed the sheep on the crossdrive so Scott retired him.
I still don't want to talk about Lad's run. Not sure what's going on there.
Hemp ran outstanding, however a miscommunication kept us from placing. He had a good outrun and lift and I didn't even need to blow a whistle on his fetch until after the fetch panels. He made both panels but as he went through the crossdrive panels I blew an away whistle to start him back to me. Scott said the way I blew it, it sounded funny and he knew Hemp would take the wrong flank. I thought he was being stubborn and so I made him circle again - thinking I was training. I didn't realize the dog had tried to be good and I was waisting all those points! Anyway, after that, he had a good shed and pen and got 71 points.
Because Scott didn't score very high on the first day with Drift, he knew he was going to have to really lay one down to win the overall buckle donated by Deb and John Cleveland.

Drift lifting with the Leeton cemetery in the background!

Alasdair MacRae had it just about wrapped up with Star until Scott and Drift went to the post. He knew as he stepped up there he had to get a 95 to win it and that's what they got! It was a beautiful run and Drift couldn't have worked much better.

Drift on the fetch

Thanks again to our hosts, the Fleming family and their hard working sidekicks the Clevelands

Scott accepts the over all open buckle
L-R Allen Hickenbottom, Scott, Wyatt Fleming, Thad Fleming and Mike Schragel

Plumb Lucky Trial - Open Day One

MUD! RAIN! It was a mess. Most of the day was a hard rain, with a short sunny break in the afternoon. We give a big thank you to the worker's at the trial who were wet and covered in mud but never complained or stopped working.

Wyatt Flemming, the trial host's hard working son, covered in mud

Scott's Drift started the open class in a big down pour. He ran a nice run but had a leader sheep that was looking for some shelter and didn't care if the other sheep came with her. He listened to Scott's instructions and got her around the course in good fashion but she didn't want to go into the pen and lead the others around and around until there was only one point left when she went in. Drift ended up in 15th place.
My Hemp ran at the worst part of the morning. Horrible thunder and some lightning (it wasn't striking near us so I did go to the post during it). I can confidently say that Hemp is NOT afraid of thunder. He worked pretty good in his first open trial and was listening to everything I said until... the crossdrive panel when a reoccurring problem cropped up and he headed his sheep and brought them back to me instead of putting them through the panels. Then the run fell apart and he sliced at the pen and although he had a calm shed he looked at the sheep behind him. He didn't place but got a 67 for a score.
I don't want to talk about Laddie's run. Let's just say he wasn't listening.
Roo had a good run except he crashed the sheep at the top. It was very disappointing since we thought he was over that old habit but it came back again at this trial.

Diane Pagel's Delta Bluez Roo

However, the rest of the run was good enough that he placed 7th in the trial and with 60 something dogs in the trial this was nice.

Roo and Scott shedding

Maid really did well on the first day of open. The rain was really coming down when they went to the post

Maid in the rain

but she listened so well that they made all their panels, got their shed and pen and ended up winning the first day!

Maid winning the first day of open

Plumb Lucky Trial - Nursery Two, Three and Four

Ok first an apology. I'm missing the placings for Saturday and Sunday trials. I know what our dogs did but I'm embarrassed to say I don't have the top 10 scores yet. I will get them this week from the hard working Deb Cleveland who is the secretary for this trial. She promises to email them to me and then I will post them here. My excuse is that if you could see the rain and mud here you would understand and most of the scores are not being left up after the classes because of the mess. Anyway, I'm going to stick with that story. I figured I'd get the information posted on how our dogs did now, and then get the rest of the placings up this week.
As for the second nursery, Scott ran Tuque, Sleat and River. River didn't really get going on his run. Scott was setting him up for his outrun and didn't notice that someone was walking on the course. When he sent him River had focused on the person and never found his sheep.
Sleat had a good outrun. Her drive didn't go so well though and she missed all her panels. Tuque was the star in this class.

Susan Gilbert's Tuque

She had a set of sheep that were very difficult. They gave the set out person all kinds of trouble and just tore down the field. Tuque tried to hold them back and even tried to head them but stopped every time Scott asked her to so she never got off line. She made her panels and her pen - Scott had to keep her way off the pen because the sheep were so touchy but they went in. When all was said and done she was 3rd in the class and got her first leg to qualify for the nursery nationals!
The third nurseries were held on Saturday and Scott ran Jess and Whiskey again. Whiskey improved alot but when Scott noticed he wasn't going to get a leg he just used the run for a training round. Young Jess, unfortunately had a flock of Guinea fowl on the course for her run and did a nice outrun on them. Of course they weren't the right kind of stock so Scott called her off when she didn't want to leave them to look for the sheep.
The final nursery trial was on Sunday and went the best of all the days for us. River, Sleat and Tuque ran this time. River got out to his sheep this time but was uncertain about the set out person and he crossed over. He was strong around the course which was good to see but he didn't get a very high score. Sleat did much better and ran a pretty good course. She placed second and got her first leg towards the Nursery Nationals! Tuque really stood out at this trial.

Tuque qualifed for the Nursery Nationals

With another difficult set of sheep she controlled them well and placed first in the class! She is now qualified for the Nursery Nationals.