Skip

Scott's main nursery dog for this year is Skip.

Scott's 2013 nursery dog, Skip

Skip was born in January of 2011 and is a smooth coated male.  He was bred by Doug Brewer and is out of his Imp. Taff and Imp Tess.  Taff came from Wales and goes back to Ceri Rundle's Bwlch Hemp, Aled Owen's Welsh National Champion, Ben and Paul Turnbull's English National Champion Nap.
Skippy's mother is also from Wales and goes back to Jim Croppers's English National Champion, Cap, Butchers's Mac and Bobby Dalziel's International Champion, Wisp and his Scottish National Champion, Dot.
Skip was well started in Tennessee by Bob Ford and trialed once in a pro-novice class when he was 16 months. We were happy to get the chance to buy him.

Skip working at Alta-Pete Farm

 Skippy's first nursery trial will be at the end of April in British Colombia at Lee Lumb's Stirling Acres trial.

Skippy

 Scott plans on running Skip on the difficult sheep at the Canadian Nurseries this year, and if he can get qualified, he'll take him to the USBCHA Nursery Nationals. 

Heppner 2013

Scott took June and Don down to the St. Patrick's day trial at Heppner, OR last weekend.  This year the trial was so popular that they had to do a draw for each day.  Don drew up for both days, but June only ran on Saturday.

Photo of Scott and June by Diane Pagel

 The judge was Anne Mock.
They were on a new field and June was wide on her outrun (apparently several dogs did that) so once Scott got her pulled in, he fetched his sheep down and did one leg of the drive and then retired her to save the trial some time.
Don's run was taped on Saturday by Dave Imas (many thanks, Dave) and you can watch it HERE.
Sunday, they did much better and although Don still needed two whistles to help him find his sheep, he did well enough after that to win the day and have a combined score that won the overall!
I'm afraid I don't have very many scores for you from this year.  I know that Lora Withnell and Bella won the day on Saturday, but I don't have any other final scores for that day - I do have Sunday (with thanks to Karen Mahoney)
Open Sunday (52 dogs)
1. Glen and Don 88
2. Williams and Lad 82
3. Ruben and Vangie 81
4. Haynes and Keally 78
5. Clawson and Tell 78
6. Imas and Tip 78
7. Johnston and Anna 76
8. Lumb and Jeb 74
9. Clawson and Estie 68
10. Shannahan and Riggs 68

Plans...

2013 is here and with it, we set our sights on our next trial season.  However, before we can look forward, we need to look backward.  Don was a strong number one dog for Scott last year and will continue to be his main dog this year.

Donnie holding his own with difficult ewes at an arena trial in Northern California

Don won several trials last year including the Happy Hollow Trial in Missouri, the Wild Rose Trial in Alberta and the double lift of the Hilltop Trial in Saskatchewan.  In addition, he won a day at Soldier Hollow, took home the silver medal in the double lift, and won the Alberta Finals.  Although, Don has won several double lift trials, he often struggles with his turn back.  This winter, Scott has been concentrating on teaching Don to enjoy it and has seen some positive changes in his attitude about it.
June had a great first year in open in 2012.  In her first open, at Heppner, Oregon, she won the overall, and went on to make the double lifts at the Kentucky Bluegrass and the North Carolina Championships.

June at the Bluegrass

 She finished her year by winning the semi finals at the USBCHA Nationals, beating her father by a half of a point.  This winter, June hasn't been working much because she had a litter of pups.  She just started back a couple of weeks ago and seems to be picking up where she left off.  Getting her fit will be Scott's biggest challenge before he heads down south to Heppner again for their St. Patrick's day trial in a couple of weeks.
Scott has a few nursery dogs that I will profile in the next few weeks with our Skip likely being one of the main ones for this year.  The other three, our Alice, Diane Pagel's Ben and Cy Peterson's Erin are all two year nursery dogs, with this being their first year.  At this point, Alice is probably in second spot but that can change as we get closer to trial time.
Lad and I had a decent year last year, but our sheds hurt us the most.  He had a winning run going in the second round of the Bluegrass and was poised to make the double lift when I called him in and he took a little too long to lock onto his single, which in turn allowed us to get in a bad situation that ended up with sheep in the spectators laps and no score.  It happened again at Soldier Hollow, with another huge run, although this time, it was my fault for putting too much pressure on the sheep in the shed and ending up losing them again over the fence.  He managed to be 4th in the Hilltop Classic Double lift but with an incomplete international shed. At the nationals, he had a nice first round and made it into the semi's but we were prevented in advancing by Laddie getting lost on the outrun and his refusal to hold a single.

Lad and I close the pen in the semi finals of the Nationals - by Kristi Oikawa

So you say, obviously, our homework for this winter would be to work on our shedding.  I agree with you but we have been battling a shoulder lameness for the last month, that seems to be aggravated by shedding.  With only about 6 weeks left before his first trial, it is hard to not only practice his sheds, but keep him in shape.  Slight panic is setting in as he is now 8 yrs old and it is more important than ever to have him in top shape before competing.
Hemp had a great year last year whenever we didn't have bitches in heat.  He started the season strong by getting a perfect outrun, lift and fetch at the Happy Hollow trial but things went down hill from there as the girls started to cycle.  By the time we got to the Bluegrass, he was just horrible and I retired his runs both days.  Towards the end of the summer, he again settled down and was 5th in the double lift of the Hilltop classic.

Hemp

 He was invited to compete at Soldier Hollow, but unfortunately, broke one of his front feet, chipping off 3 pieces of bone.  Shortly after that had healed, I neutered him in the hopes of having a better season in 2013, and things were looking really good when he again broke a foot, this time in the rear and again had to be laid up.  After almost 6 months of bed rest with  both feet being broken and a neuter recovery, Hemp was horribly out of shape.  BUT, just as things were looking up, they started to go bad again with a lameness in his rear leg, that seems to be a tightening of a muscle after work.  He is not on total bed rest as he doesn't see it to be a problem and walks it out within a few minutes.  Strength building and short runs are the plan and continuing to help with lambing is keeping his working skills sharp.
So with no open dogs this year (to speak of) one would think that Ford, my nursery dog, would be the man, but Ford and I have had many battles this winter.  It's been a long time since I have had a nursery dog and I forget that the struggles that seem to be impossible to overcome, end up as distant memories when the dog reaches the ripe old age of 4.  For right now though, they are ever present.

Ford at the North Carolina State Championships in nursery

 Scott has helped me alot this winter and the mantra he has repeated to me often seems to be the phrase I need to remember.  He has told me, "Ford may not be your best nursery dog, but he is your best dog."  I feel so not ready going into this nursery year with a dog that isn't as broke as Lad and Hemp were at that age.  However, I see a light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel we are just around the corner from getting it right.
So, where are we going this year?
First, Scott will be off to the Heppner, St. Patrick's day trial while I hold down the fort and finish lambing.  This is a tough little trial in Oregon with challenging sheep and usually challenging Spring weather.  This year they will be on a different field so even the newcomers will have it even. Scott has only a few points right now, and I have none.  With the finals in the East this year, it is expected that we will need to do well at every trial in order to make it in.  With my open dog's lamnesses holding them back from preparation, I'm going to try and trial for the fun of it.  A novel idea for me.  Lets see if I can keep my chin up.  If I can get Ford qualified for the nurseries, we can concentrate on training and preparing him for his first finals.
Next, we hope to get into Lee Lumb's Stirling Acres trial in BC the last weekend of April.  This is a little trial (distance wise) with a 300 yrd outrun in open, but the competition should be difficult since it is a popular trial with a farm flock of hair sheep.  Scores should be high and we will have to be on our toes to get points.  This will be an important trial for us to see where the nursery dog's heads are at. It will be a first trial for most of them and we will be able to see their holes that need repairing.
We were thinking of rushing off to a trial in Utah next but we have decided to stick with what worked for us last year. We will instead high tail it off to Thad Flemming's in Missouri to clean up any mistakes the dogs, especially the nursery dogs, are doing after their first trial.  We'll spend about 5 days there on a private field getting the dogs re ready for the next trial.  Conveniently, we will be there at the same time as the Cattle Dog Nationals are being held at the Flemming's family farm and we will get to see some of that competition for the first time.
After Missouri, we will head down to Pennsylvania and hopefully, catch a day of training with Lori Cunningham, before heading to Dave Fetterman's trial a half hour away.  This trial is alot of fun and Dave is planning on accepting more entries this year so it will be an important place to pick up some more points.
Immediately after Pennsylvania we will hit the Bluegrass.  This is the place to showcase the nursery dogs and really get points on the open dogs.  (Scott get points - I'm just having fun, right?)  I'm a little nervous about Ford since I had to pull him last year after the sheep were too much for him.  I'm hoping his new found confidence continues through the trial.  We both have to learn to trust each other.
We will move on to Dr. Ben Ousley's trial after that and have some fun on a smaller field. This is a good family trial with  lots of entries, but it is often very hot and presents challenges because.
After, we continue on the road, Scott will be mostly teaching clinic's for the next month with the exception of a 3 day nursery trial in NY at Fetch Gate Farm.
On our way home, we will be attending the Jim Bridger trial in Wyoming before landing at the Wild Rose Trial in Alberta, about 4 hours from home in July.  We haven't decided if we are going to go point hunting at any other trials in July yet.  It will depend on how many we (Scott) have.
August starts the points for next year, but there is no pause for us so it still feels like a continuation.  We plan to hit Jamie VanRhyn's trial in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan and the Canadians at Wendy Schmaltz's a few hours from there.  Then we make a quick trip down to Soldier Hollow, before returning home to prepare for the finals.
So that is the plan. 

Away To Me - Trailer and DVD

It's almost ready!
Away To Me, the documentary about sheepdog trialing is about 10 days away from being ready to purchase.
I saw this movie at a screening in August and really enjoyed it - read my review HERE.
The DVD's are going to be only $19.95 USD plus shipping and handling.
They have included bonus material of Bill Berhow's full winning run with commentary by Bill and the judge, Bob Washer.
The website is in the middle of a makeover for the next two days but check it out at
www.sheepdogmovie.com and drop in at their facebook page for more information.

Trailer.mov from Andrew Hadra on Vimeo.

Why You Need To Buy The 2012 National Finals DVD

The DVDs of the 2012 National Finals are now for sale. This year they have a few different choices.  You can order your individual runs, just the semis, just the finals or the whole thing.  The prelim runs were taped by Geri Byrne and the semis and finals are the same as the web cast, minus the interviews.
We just put our order in.  I've said before that I think broadcasting and, in turn, producing dvds of the Nationals is a very important thing.  First off, it is a way to preserve our breed.  The finals always used to be video taped by Rural Route Video's, Martin Penfold, who also went across the pond and video taped the Internationals.  After I got Laddie, I was able to buy the 1994 International and see his grandfather take reserve champion.  I also saw Johnny Wilson's Spot win it and was able to see the striking resemblance to several of his great grandpups that Scott had trained.  He is also my Hemp's great, great grandfather.  I wish someone had taped back when Tommy Wilson's Roy was running so I could see Ford's great great grandfather.   Not only is it a neat experience to see these great dogs and compare them to their descendants but I also think it is an invaluable part of preserving the history of our breed.
Rural Route quit filming the year that Scott won the Nationals with Pleat (2004) and I have no visual record of that victory - not even any photographs but I love the fact that I will have a copy of June's semi finals win this year at 3 years old.
The other thing I like about the taping of the finals is so that I (ie Scott) can critique my run.  Usually, when someone offers to tape my runs it is a curse.  The run ends up being so bad that there is nothing to learn from it.  A crossover, a grip or just plain old never getting to the sheep.  People ask if I want to see what they taped and I say, "NO.  Why do I want to relive that 30 seconds of torture?"  This year, my semi finals wasn't good, but had things I could learn from and I really want to see it again. I thought it was Laddie's fault.  Scott had a different opinion.  It's important for my growth as a handler to find out exactly what happened.  I learned so much by Scott going over my Carbondale run last year.  I think it made a huge difference in how I handle the Western sheep now.
I am lucky to get to go to the finals every year.  I get to see the other handlers and dogs and have my own opinion on what I like.  If I was at home, I would consider the webcast a great way to help me choose a dog I might breed to or buy a pup out of, and help me choose a clinician based on how they handle their dogs and how their dogs respond.
The general consensus with the webcast was that people wanted it to be free.  The USBCHA helped fund this year's "free" webcast so we could all enjoy it.  Part of how they are going to recoup that money will be based on how many dvds they sell.  It will also be a major factor in their decision to film it again next year.  I urge you to support them and buy a dvd of this year's finals. (a good Christmas gift!)  Put it on your shelf.  You never know when you might want to see those dogs again.
To order, go HERE!

2012 USBCHA National Finals

Whew!  Well I'm glad that's over.  We had a wonderful time and the local trial hosts were great! But that is no surprise to anyone who has been to a finals at Klamath Falls.  The biggest thanks go to the woman at the top, Geri Byrne, who picks good people to help, and her right hand gal, Lana Rowley who never stops working and her whole family - right down to her young son James who sorted sheep at the top all week (really, James?  That's the set you gave Scott this afternoon? Remember we talked about putting the collars on the lazy sheep?  What did I pay you for?)
The double lift this year was broadcast on a live streaming so I hoped you watched.  I always think it is important that everyone have a chance to see what is happening at a finals and how the dogs perform even if you are too far to go.  Just looking at stats on a page doesn't always tell you the real story.
In the double lift, it was very important to draw up early.  It was so dramatically cooler in the morning and that affected everything - how the sheep behaved, how the sound traveled and how much you could ask your dog to do.  I'd like to say that since June drew one of those coveted spots, that she won the trial but she didn't.  It was a little over her 3 year old head, but she behaved admirably.  June's sheep (and a few other runs had the same problem) drifted so far away while she was busy picking up her second set of sheep, that when she was ready to pick them up again, she had another 300 yard outrun to do so.  While she was regathering her first set, (on her third outrun) her second set found the water by the judges tent.  June got them all together and slid into the water, right under their noses to get a dip.

June politely tells the sheep that she's the only one allowed to have water

Several sheep tried to join her and I have to say I am proud of her for not gripping them and getting called off.  When Scott asked her to get out of the water and move the sheep along, she did with no fear or temper grips. 

June gets on with the job and moves the sheep away from the water

June moves the sheep around the post

Unfortunately, that restraint wasn't rewarded when she was called off in the shedding ring for defending herself when a grumpy ewe tried to hit her.  One judge felt it was good dog work and did leave her on but the other three judges quit scoring her so the points were only a  lowly 93.  That's why the live streaming video was so good to have.  Without it, you only see a 93.  With it, you saw heart and drive that you can't see in her score.  We are proud of her and she can certainly chalk this trial up to a learning experience.
If only... If only... Donnie had drawn up in the morning.  But that's dog trialing.  Donnie's experience would have really helped him do well if he hadn't had to run in the heat.  It wasn't that Don got overly hot.  Quite the opposite actually, his stamina was far better than I ever knew. 

Donnie making the fetch panels and approaching the turnback post

It was that the hearing on the field with the second set of sheep just went to pot in the afternoon.  More than one dog was lost and straining to hear their handler's commands to no avail. This happened to Don also.  Scott set him up for a wonderful swallow tail turnback that he took like a good thing, and he bent hard to the left the way he should.  But going back blind, he needed just one directional bend and when it was time to get it, he was already too far into the no sound zone for him to hear it.  Scott spent alot of time and points trying to communicate to him where they were.  He finally found them but when they pulled hard to the handler's left (they were very determined to get to the nursery exhaust which was in the same field and where alot of them had already been - knowing it was a place of water, shade and no dogs) he couldn't hear Scott well enough to get where he needed to be to make that dog leg fetch.  The line was terrible but he did his job and got them to Scott anyway.  The drive was amazing.  Donnie never took a break to go to water during the entire run, even after all of that but never looked too winded on the drive.  It was smooth and they were quiet and calm sheep that walked into the shedding ring, with less than 3 minutes to get the shed.  That's just not enough time and so that was all she wrote.  I have to say, I'm Donnie's biggest fan and with the obvious exception of Scott, I know him better than anyone, and he impressed me even more by how deep he dug within himself to do his job today.
I hope Klamath Falls invites us all back in a few years when they have recovered from this one and we'll now be setting our sights on Virginia for the 2013 Nationals!

See ya next year!

2012 National Finals - The Semis

I hope you all watched the on line feed today.  They did a really good job and it was free!  Assuming you all did, I will just give  a brief mention about how it went.
Scott hates it when I brag on him but the reality is that he was awesome today.  Sure, we expect him to be good with Don but the real kicker was that June beat him by a half a point!  Not much to say about those runs except they did everything they were supposed to in a smooth and on line manner.  Scott got a 195.5 with Don and a 196 with June. (out of 210)
Of course, Scott will tell you that he'd rather give up the win today to have a win tomorrow and I will be keeping my fingers crossed and sitting on pins and needles, probably forgetting to breathe while he runs them.
Laddie, Laddie, Laddie.  It takes both of us to get the job done.  Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's him.  Today it was him.  He got lost on his outrun and I gave him a couple of redirects to widen him out.  Then he went too wide and tried to go get the exhaust sheep from the nursery field.  Fortunately, there weren't any there and I was able to get him back to the correct sheep.  After that, it just wasn't very good.  He was just kinda late on getting over on his flanks.  We made our fetch panels and actually had not a bad drive away making the panels nicely but had a pretty sloppy crossdrive and just missed the panels high.  We again had a good shed, and this time a nice pen but when I called Laddie in on the single, he came in and held it good enough for most trials but this is the Nationals and they wanted a little more so they didn't call it.  We tried one more time before the time ran out and ended up with a 113.  I thought we'd be the last dog with a score but actually we weren't and we ended up 28th overall, which is nothing to brag on but it's higher than I've ever been at the finals.  Laddie will probably be an old dog by the time I get in the double lift but we'll keep trying.  And in his defence, alot of dogs didn't listen to their handlers when they told them where to find the sheep and had to retire early.  Lad did listen, and got there, and perhaps getting lost is what put him off his game. I knew the single was going to be a problem ahead of time.  Spoiled dog will probably still get to sleep on the bed.
They will do a draw tonight for the finals order tomorrow so all I can tell you right now is to tune in at 8AM and see who runs when.
Oh, and a big shout out to Brian White from California (his wife has the Honest Dog store with really cool border collie themed clothing) who is in his first finals and made the double lift today!  Scott and I are really proud of him!!