Herding Days at High River

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009

Herding at High River

Oh, boy,

What a great two days of herding for Token and Mesa at the Rottwieler Club of Canada Herding Trials at Phantomridge Farms, High River, Alberta, July 16 & 17th. Finished Token's Herding Tested title and got a "Q" of 85.5 with Mesa under Judge Shelley Fritzke. Not only that, but, thanks to the Rottweiler and Aussie Clubs, we received a beautiful Rosette and stock stick by placing High Scoring German shepherd! Better yet, we were 1/2 pt. off the High in Trial score! Yikes! That is scary stuff, considering who was working the dog. It felt really good seeing the girls work. I was most impressed with Mesa's pen work. She went in quietly and the sheep trotted calmly out of the pen and settled right away. I felt really confident working Mesa because she doesn't operate at the speed Token does and that gives me time to position myself better. But I gain more confidence when I can work Token and have her pass because she has more energy and she reads her stock better so she is often right when I am not. Probably always. Well, maybe not always, but most of the time, I think.

Sunday, Token didn't have to run because she had finished her title and I had hurt my knee while

taking the girls out for a run at 5:00 a.m. and was definitely not able to do any herding. Lore came to the rescue and helped me hook up the trailer and get ready to go home as I was sure I wasn't going to be able to get my 'handler' to work Mesa in the started class as she was also stock contractor. Jerry and Louanne drove the dogs and me back and forth from the field to the arena so I could watch everyone. Woody volunteered to move the dogs from their tie-downs to wherever I needed them. Gwen had the perfect spectator tent set up so I could sit in the shade for the day.

And, when told about the situation, the other competitors and neither judge had any problem letting Louanne work Mesa for me and she got our second score towards our Started title with 84.5 . As a matter of fact, Shelley, who has the highest scoring

German shepherd herding dog in Canada ever, volunteered to handle Mesa if Louanne was not allowed! How special is that????

Anyway, Louanne had no problem steering Susie around the course and obtained a score of 84.5 ! Yes!! Two passes. Grrrrrrreat!

The entire two days were spent in the company of the best people and their chosen breeds of dogs. There were Aussies,

Rotties, German shepherds, Cardigan Corgi's, a smooth collie, a Shetland Sheepdog, and two border collies. It was so

neat to be able to watch the different styles. Even the upright breeds had different working techniques. What an impressive

group we all were!!! I was so impressed with the stockdog class. Green with envy at the distance work and so excited to see them all work so hard over 30 minutes to get all the chores set out for them accomplished. From a handler's point of view, that was the most impressive class, but from a spectator's view, nothing takes the place of arena work for precision. Two steps too far and without a quick reverse, those sheep were gone to the 'far side' ... of the arena, that is.

Although not everyone qualified in the class in which they had entered, every handler and every dog had moments of absolute brilliance and we all appreciated the work that had gone into preparing for the tests. Those advanced dogs and handlers amazed me to no end. How Gwen can run backwards without falling on her butt and how Cathy Bishop can out-manuever Quade while he moves just short of the speed of light is beyond me. Gwen's sister, Deb has the quiet, smooth handling style we all wish for. Lore has given her corgi, Razor, such confidence, while Gloria and her corgi, Pearl, showed us just what can be accomplished by these little dogs with big dog attitudes. Fido will provide Gloria with all the fitness exercises she will ever need over the next year or two, I am certain. Loved the smooth collie with his easy-going manner around the sheep. And, speaking of sheep, there were sheep for every dog and its ability level. This is a science, for sure, and the stock and stock-handling was superb!!! Great concession booth. Fabulous photographer. Judges Barb Davenport and Shelley Fritzke, who were encouraging and fair. Weather beyond belief! Who couldn't enjoy the time?

And, bonus.......... Mesa and Token got along all weekend with no hair-raising experiences at all. Even rode home together in the extended-cab. Probably helped that Token spent her trip hiding on the floor and Mesa slept flat-out on the seat. Worked well for both of them.

Anyway, as soon as this knee thing goes away, I am off and running again! Whoa! Just remembered. I have Swayze entered in

Rally at AKC. Something tells me I should be working with him so that we don't look like ditzes. He works great at home.

Time to get out in public right away. But I'd rather be herding.

Ev Kenny Dog Show

Congratulations to everyone who did well at the Ev Kenny Dog show in Calgary this past weekend in performance and conformation classes. Having judged the rally O classes on Saturday and Sunday, I got to see some very nice performances and some good effort from young dogs and old alike. It is always special to see a veteran dog performing at a show and the High in Excellent class went to just such a dog. Had the pleasure to judge a beautiful afghan hound as well. Rarity.

Those I know who did well in the performance rings were Judy Hunt, Carol Solkshinitz, Joan Michaud & Maureen O'Neill in Rally O. In conformation, Mary Ellen Whyte and her BSP, Cole, breeder handled, took a Group 2 in Sporting and Joan's Belgian shepherd, Dex, finished his Championship.

Carol & Emily TT ...

temper tantrum?

I had the opportunity to work with fabulous ring stewards. Katherine Klassen is the pro when it comes to stats management. Char Maines (so good to see her again) was recorder & course setter, Terry Olson the timer, Mandy McKay, recorder and course setter, and Maureen O'Neill was the person who was everywhere providing everything needed, and that includes racing for the obedience judges as well as looking after our ring.

Most fabulous event of the weekend? Seeing Michelle and David Simpson at the show. I don't know how Michelle did it but she managed to convince her doctor to let her out of the hospital on a day pass as long as Dave was her date. I still think that she told them she was going to the bathroom and then simply kept on going.

Couldn't believe how hot the weather was when I got home. Scorching. Today........ different thing altogether. It has been pouring rain all day. No sense heading for High River for herding practice. Oh, boy, did we ever need that lesson, too. Maybe tomorrow. If not, watch out sheep!

For those of you who have to be outside today, pull up your hoods and put on your gumboots, kids! I'm off to the kennel with a book and a glass of wine!

A reminder to everyone to send me pics and paragraphs of stuff you and your dogs have been doing. We love to share it.

Judi

Happy Birthday, Canada

For Dog Club last night we set up a Rally O course to play at. We decided that we were all a bit rusty in that department.

The evening went really fast, though, and we didn't have time for any obedience except for some long sits, during which, we discussed setting up obedience and rally at the park in Pincher Creek to give us a change of venue. Also, Shirley, Shar, Lee and I decided that we would spend some mornings at Vista Village training, so that the residents get some entertainment. Shirley said that the last time she visited, the residents were out in the courtyard exercising and throwing a ball around and Kris, of course,

got right into the action and provided some comic relief by stealing the ball every time someone missed a throw and bringing it to Shirley. Rather than formalize anything, we thought we'd just phone around and collect some members and take off one morning to practice.

Today is Canada's birthday and I am so glad to live in this country. This year, we missed the PARADE of all things because I didn't get off the mark quickly enough and try to organize anything. I was just so happy to be on holidays that I missed it. Sorry, gang.

However, a reminder that APDT trials are being held at Sit Happens! at Hallowe'en!!!! We intend to go and to dress up for the occasion. Poor Tammy never knows what to expect from this crew. Never a dull moment, anyway. We hope to go for supper afterwards as well. Should be fun for all. Blame Russell for the costume idea, but I think it is swell. Keep checking the Sit Happens! site for updates.

Now, as far as parades go, Thunder in the Valley is July 18th in the Crowsnest Pass. July 18th is a Saturday. The day is filled with fun stuff for people to do. This year the Pincher Creek Humane Society is putting up a dunk tank to raise funds for their new shelter. I would love to see our club in the Parade with our carts and a walking contingent as well. Can you check your dates and let me know asap if you can attend.

Judi

Here is a video of the whacky stuff that goes on at our campouts. Sense of humor much needed to belong to this gang.

Tractor square-dancing

And we thought dogs square dancing was tough!!!! Hah!

Click on the link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WxyzS0vCME&feature=related

Shadowbar Shepherds

"May a good shepherd watch over you."

Day in the Park

We had a great Day in the Park yesterday! Thank you, Amanda, for all the organizing. It was a beautiful day for doggie stuff and the huge trees at Henderson Lake Park provided all the shade anyone needed. Wonderful to see so many dogs and all of them getting along so well. Hunter and Shaggy were a bit overwhelmed, and Token was distracted but they all did a good job. Bess was wild as usual and had a good time. Shar practiced brace with Ryder and Mesa and Deb worked some with Walker and Fire. Connie was new to the action and enjoyed the day. Michelle brought Davon pup and he and Hunter had a gay time. Kim was there with Maggie and Bosley and showed us all how obedience should look like. It was great to see Donnie again, and Molly, for sure. Zydaco and Betsy are the tall and short of it. Amanda's Pixel and Boone were super and Boone has the best backup I have ever seen. He doesn't look for a target behind him. He just scoots backwards. Click treat. Shaggy Muffin Stacked

It is great to hear that Michelle Simpson is home from the hospital and feeling much better, and that Hank Hargreaves is back on his feet and doing well. Lee has a new toy!!! She has an electric wheelchair and is practicing how NOT to do wheelies! She has done a great job of training Bess to fetch the dumbell, too. We'll be on to Open before we know it.

After the park, we headed back to Chris and Connie's where all the dogs went for a swim.... thanks, Chris, for the kayak calls that got Shaggy, Fire and Walker excited about the water, and for the wonderful supper. It's our turn.

Keep up the good work everyone. You will have nothing short of success this summer.

Judi

Statesidefetch

Sharlet and MaryEllen have returned from the Great Falls, Missoula, Montana shows with all kinds of loot! Shar's dog, Ryder, gained two titles!! He came home with his American CD and AKC Advanced Rally titles. MaryEllen's shorthair, Gracie, finished her Advanced Rally title with 99/100 High in Class. Congratulations to both ladies.

Judi has been taking herding lessons in High River with Token and Mesa and is thrilled with the progress after just four lessons.

Louann has Never joining the crew as well. Lore has been at it seriously for some time now and will more than likely be far ahead of the rest of us when we get to the July RCC trials. We are on 'hold' right now as our instructor is gone off competing with her own dogs. Unless we can find some sheep time in the next week, we may lose the gains we made last week.

Lee has been working hard with Bess so that I can show her at AKC. If she keeps going the way she is, I could be in Open before I know it. As soon as Bess finishes her Rally Excellent title, Lee will take over the rally competitions and I will stick with Obedience.

Time for Shaggy Muffin (yes, it's a German shepherd) to get off the porch and into the ring as well, so I will need some refresher runs in the conformation ring to see if she will even stack. Thankfully, there is a Pups in the Park Fun Day tomorrow at Henderson Lake. We must go. Hope to see many of you there. My young dogs really need to meet and greet some dog people.

Judi

Lesson on Monday!

I am soooo excited. On Monday, Token, Mesa and I head for High River for our herding lessons! I have waited so long for this. As usual, I have done everything backwards and have taken the chance (Gwen says I'll do fine) and entered both dogs in the herding trials in July at Okotoks. Yikes! Better get with the program and begin training. And why not just enter Token in Open obedience this summer as well? Oh, heck, why not Hunter? He needs some training and really should get off the farm now that the bionic boy is back on his feet once more; for how long we do not know. And what about Token's RE title? Should finish that off, too. And so, now that we have entered, why not go a step further and actually train the dog? Thank gosh for talented dogs to begin with. Oh, my! I forgot about BESS! We need to finish Bess's CD and her Rally Excellent and go on with some Open, methinks. Good thing I found my brain at that point and decided to forgo the trip to Great Falls and Missoula to do obedience and rally there. Maybe I'll actually have some money left to fill the diesel!!!

So out comes the logbook and the daily progress reports (or not) will be entered faithfully as I move along the road to competition.

Wish me luck.

Judi