tag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:/blogs/my-first-trialYou Herd it Here2024-03-14T09:00:00-04:00ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBfalsetag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73667662024-03-14T09:00:00-04:002024-03-14T09:00:04-04:00Winter Training in Florida - 2024<p>By Daniel Turcotte</p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photos by Daniel Turcotte</i></span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/5797352df2a6d50a0776e956a7f069868e3b6bbd/original/img-6612.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="jjj" height="4032" /><p>Fall was showing its colours and the days were getting shorter. The sheep seemed interested in finding comfort in the barn, away from the wind and rain. As for my dogs, they looked at me wondering if they will continue to work or settle in for the winter break. The season ended with several trials and clinics and the weather forecasts called for a mild winter which is usually synonymous with ice and rain in Quebec.</p><p>My wife and I entered retirement in 2018 and presently live on a bi-generational farm with our daughter, her husband and their children. This ensures the farm is taken care of when we are away. We have been making the trip to Florida for the last 4 years, a well-deserved rest we are both look forward to. There are many trials in Florida in February so we bring along our dogs and rent a place in Sebastian, close to Vero Beach but travel to trials in our camper. This year, we registered for:</p><ul>
<li>Howerton Oaks Sheepdog Showcase, Williston FL on Feb 1 - 4, 2024</li>
<li>Wild Winter Wag Sheepdog Trial, Morriston FL on Feb 6 - 8, 2024</li>
<li>Suwannee Sheepdog Trial, Wellborn, FL on Feb 10 - 12, 2024</li>
<li>C-54 2024 Sheepdog Trial, Fellsmere, FL on Feb 17 - 20, 2024 </li>
<li>Linden Hollow Sheepdog Trial, Saint-Cloud, FL on Feb 22 - 25, 2024</li>
</ul><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e9c1691971da3adaa880cd1d3cc38ccb794ccb28/original/img-6412.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="4032" /><p>Although the nights are cold, the days are usually perfect for trialing. My objective during the trip is to evaluate the level of my dogs on big fields and spend time watching and talking with more experienced handlers. It’s kind of the MLB winter training camp.</p><p>We left Quebec on the 26th of January 2024 and our first stop was in Maryland at Peggy Simpson and Todd Layfield’s, two great handlers from whom I always get lots of advice. We continued our trip to John Campbell’s to train some more and pick up a pup that we would deliver to Thad Fleming in Missouri. Finally, a quick stop to Carol Ann Bailey’s before heading out to Williston for the series of trials. I am always surprised to see so many Canadian handlers - Hillary Flower, Elizabeth Edmonds, Billie Richardson, Celeste Lacroix, Brian Epp, Joanne and Jim Murphy and Tracy Hinton. It’s always a pleasure to see people we know. </p><p>My intentions were to move Denver to Open and after a couple of noncompetitive runs, I decided to go for it, knowing we couldn’t run PN together again. It’s a little intimidating to run amongst Gordon Watt and his wife, Marianna Schreeder, Tracy Hinton, Michelle Brothers, Rose Anderson and many more. I was worried about the shed but with help from Tracy and watching a couple of videos, I managed to complete the course and was pleased with my 60 and 79. As for our young dog Sept, I guess we will go back to basics and run in PN to gain maturity.</p><p>After a month of competition, we are taking a pause in Sebastian, Florida until the next trial in Buena Vista on our way back. I wish everyone a wonderful herding season and hope to cross your path in NEBCA, OBCC and perhaps ABCQ events. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who followed our journey and encouraged us in this adventure.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/261924b993fa96478bd4694acb430bf1c34fbe36/original/img-6473.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="4032" />ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73318152024-01-16T07:00:00-05:002024-01-16T12:03:49-05:002023 Year End Awards - Open<p>Congratulations to our 2023 Open Champion and Reserve Champion!</p><p>by Tracy Hinton</p><p><i>*Pictures by Michelle Lawrence</i></p><p><strong>Open Champion: Tracy Hinton and Lad</strong></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/135ef2b7bc1a81bf18e1cc9b50ae010615bacab0/original/img-2740.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Lad came to me at a year old from Anne Marie Holland shortly after Virgil had passed. He turned 10 years old in July. He is out of Vergil’s Brooke, sired by Patricia MacRae's Cap. Known by many as “Mr. Fluffy”, he is a handsome rough coat. </p><p>Lad has been a great partner. He is calm and confident….he knows how to manage sheep. It doesn’t matter what the sheep bring, I know that he will do his best for me. As a young dog I doubted him. He has proven himself time and again that he can get the job done! Little things like the other night when I woke up to the sound of coyotes closer than I would have liked and couldn't go back to sleep. I came downstairs and Lad was waiting for me. Off we went in the dark to gather the sheep and put them in the barn. I didn't give it a thought, I just sent him knowing he would bring them. A very simple thing that I just took for granted.</p><p>The last couple of years we have had many travelling trial adventures on a variety of sheep and fields. Our best adventure yet this past year travelling was to Ireland to compete in the World trial. An adventure that I won't soon forget!</p><p>As we near the end of his career, I find that I reflect on all that we have done together and feel very blessed to have had him at my side. Together we have had a lot of “first experiences”. He helped make me a better trainer and handler. I am very grateful for all of the opportunities he has brought me.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/5c448cc1df2acf98c9a7c2f61feccaa7cc6c9a34/original/img-2655.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Open Reserve Champion: Tracy Hinton and Doy Tye</strong></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/4ac44c6393b944ba2b849aab5f1bab681676194e/original/img-2651.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Tye is bred by Barry Breemersch. His dam is Welsh bred IMP. Zoe who goes back to Aled Owen's Llangwm Cap and his sire by, then Scott Glen’s, IMP. Taff. Michael Gallagher's lines bred to McCloskey's Sweep. He turned 4 years old in October.</p><p>When I got Tye as a pup, he popped out of the crate at the airport, and he was mine. He latched on to me instantly and that has never wavered. Never a problem to get his attention and come with me as he grew…he was always watching me. Still does!</p><p>He has a tremendous outrun and spots sheep well. He has great balance and feel. Tye has gained so much experience and confidence this past year. He has turned into a great partner. I look forward to what comes next!</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/3a62ec95bc7e0d825a32e0ed21631220da744a41/original/img-2754.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p>Thank you to all of the trial managers, my mentors and the OBCC community for your support, trials, clinics, club events, handler’s dinners, and chats in the handler’s tent. We have a great community! </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73318132024-01-14T07:00:00-05:002024-01-14T13:16:37-05:002023 Year End Awards - Pro Novice<p>Congratulations to our 2023 Pro Novice Champion and Reserve Champion!</p><p><strong>Pro Novice Champion: Rain and Mary Thompson</strong></p><p>by Mary Thompson</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/505b1ad08fc77ef5c8e2d773061ff0d46e2126f3/original/rain-at-20-months.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />I can’t count the number of times I’ve witnessed a handler come off the trial field shaking their head, scuffing the ground, disappointment showing on their face, and growling at their wayward border collie, and saying; “well, she doesn’t do that at home”. And for the most part it’s a true statement. Many border collies are perfect at home, but when they arrive at a new unknown venue, with unfamiliar sheep they are often afflicted by anxiety, excitement, and so are their owners.</p><p>In Rain’s case the opposite of this is true. In May of 2023 I headed south to Kentucky to attend a new trial just west of Lexington hoping to get her paws wet with a small trial prior to hitting the big time at the Bluegrass. I wasn’t expecting much, at 18 months, Rain was not that good at home; too wide on her flanks, not enough push, wanting to head too much. But I figured she could use some field trial experience and just maybe she would learn something.</p><p>Well you can imagine my surprise when on a steep hilly field with somewhat stubborn Katahdins she ended up being 1 st and 2 nd in PN winning the overall. She also made it out to the sheep in the Nursery class (with a little help) which was basically a blind outrun. Okay I thought the other shoe will drop when we get to the Bluegrass. Surprise surprise, she ends up the Pro Novice Overall Champion there as well, and posts decent scores in her Nursery runs on the western sheep ending up in the 15 th to 17 th placement area in the four nursery runs.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/69387fda95e4174d937c1d88f584651a09c7ae8b/original/rain-holding-sheep-in-corner.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />She goes on to repeat these winning ways with PN Overall Championships at both The Handy Dog and Shepherd’s Crook. She fell off the rails a tad at Indian River, but ended strong with a 1 st place in PN at the Buckeye trial in Ohio. I decided to move her up to Ranch at this last trial for her second run, and she tied for first place with an 80. She also easily obtained her nursery legs for both her first and second nursery years.</p><p>I believe that in her case, not knowing the field, the sheep, or where the draws are in a new venue actually helps her running style; both her outruns and flanks are a little tighter, and the lack of draw by the sheep doesn’t trigger such a strong desire to cover. I come off the field shaking my head in happy amazement.</p><p>Now that she turned two, her performance at home is improving. She is driving better and holds the line, is still a wide out runner but doesn’t run the fence line, and she showed me at the last trial that a field without fences is not going to be a problem as there is a limit to how wide she will go. That is a relief! She was, and still remains a difficult dog to teach new things to, but once she’s got the new maneuver, she’s fast and accurate. Thanks to the OBCC and all the trial managers for hosting another great year of trialing in Ontario.</p><p><strong>Pro Novice Reserve Champion: Sweep and Andrea de Kenedy</strong></p><p>by Andrea de Kenedy</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/594e9d0febe48686da096a893f2e524cbe1a24b6/original/sweep1.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />I wrote previously about my two Nursery prospects for the season. Sweep is the one who came through for me; the other is a puzzle I have yet to crack!</p><p>Sweep has proved to be everything I hoped for when I started him. He is cool-headed, has natural pace, and reads his sheep well.</p><p>I entered Sweep in Pro-Novice in the last two Ontario trials of the season, with few expectations. He did well enough at Shepherd's Crook, in absolutely miserable weather conditions, that I also threw him into the two Nursery classes at Indian River “for the experience”, and to make up the numbers. In the event, and much to my surprise, he did well enough to become the 2023 Pro-Novice Reserve champion, and also qualified for the USBCHA Nursery Finals, placing second in both trials.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/9f911091d026fe4f6df962a2fb7805328b296615/original/andreas-sweep-4.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Though he is not yet two, Sweep will now have to run in Open in next season’s Ontario trials, which means we will need to spend the offseason extending his outrun and refining the shed. My other winter project will be taming his kennel mate!</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73318062024-01-10T21:34:42-05:002024-01-12T07:00:02-05:002023 Year End Awards - Novice Novice<p>Congratulations to our 2023 Novice/Novice Champion and Reserve Champion!</p><p><strong>Novice Novice Champion: Fleetwood and Lynn Inia</strong></p><p>by Lynn Inia</p><p>I imported Fleetwood as a pup from Italy in 2019. He is ISDS and FCI registered by Astra Maverick out of Kinloch Penny Junior, who is a littermate of Kinloch Carlos. His sire is a sheepdog on the breeder’s farm and competed with success at the highest levels of agility in Europe. His dam is a farm and trialing sheepdog for his breeder.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/b1659b6a61684e9c5151021b0e9f14b1257aecf5/original/fleetwood1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Fleetwood is my first Border Collie and I got him to be my next agility dog, but I also wanted to try herding. I had worked professionally with horses since my teens, along with owning, competing, breeding and hunting with working bred Jack Russell Terriers for the last 25 years. Being a certified Professional Dog Trainer, I built and own On Target Dog Training, teaching Puppy, Life Skills and Manners, Behavioral Consults and Agility, qualifying for agility Nationals and earning podiums. The one thing I hadn't tried was herding and it is now my new addiction !!!!</p><p>Fleetwood is a fantastic and fun dog to train and run in agility. We have had a limited career competing in agility because of our new journey into herding. Agility to Fleetwood is his fun hobby, however Herding is serious business to him. Winning the NN Championship was a nice surprise this year and I owe my dog for never giving up on me and always trying for me.</p><p>There are several people I would like to thank, because without everyone’s guidance and support this would not have happened.</p><p>We absolutely landed with the right Trainer, and I owe John Palmer a huge thank you for taking us on, for his knowledge, skill, patience and quiet ways. He is always encouraging but realistic and kind to my dog and me. It takes a Master teacher to unscramble my brain and to have the tolerance to continue with me. Thanks John.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/8e950d6e222d306efe7b98cca1622a14073ec722/original/fleetwood2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Anne Wheatly came to my place and watched me work my sheep, at a time when our training was in trouble at home, which was severely impacting how much we were progressing in our lessons at Palmer’s and at any seminars/clinics I attended. She explained how my very novice mistakes were setting my dog up to fail and he couldn’t be right. I changed almost everything I was doing at home and immediately had a different dog that was able to be successful and back on the path of progressing. Thanks, Anne.</p><p>A big shout out to the OBCC Learning and Development Committee and all the Trainers, Open Handlers and Volunteers along with the farm owners for giving us these wonderful opportunities to learn, train in new locations and with a variety of sheep. </p><p>I also would like to thank Cynthia Palmer and Carol Guy for your encouragement and support.</p><p>Tania Costa of the Canine Wellness Centre for your encouragement, support and for keeping my dog in top condition.</p><p>And finally, to Scott Glen, you were right, “Fleetwood did do right by me”, it is a privilege to have had the opportunity to train with you. Thank you.</p><p>I have been inspired and in awe of my fellow competitors.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Novice Novice Reserve Champion: Nan and Mike Rember</strong></p><p><br>by Mike Rember</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/268ffa6b5820eb32775f3f61d92feac5ee239772/original/mike1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Nan was bred, raised and trained by Fernando Loiola. Sired by his Josh, out of Pa cool little female called Nash. She arrived in the Fall of 2022 and I did not realize that we would walk to the post together so soon.</p><p>I have been to many trials with Stacey and had become a seasoned fence line commentator when I was finally convinced to give it a go…. How hard could this be?</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/4cb572bc98ffd3a08f27e788f8d91e253f0ac720/original/mike2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Well, I left my first judge shaking his head and having a good laugh. All of the judges over the season had positive words and constructive advice for us.<br>We went home and went to work which was easy enough to do in theory, harder when actually trying to do it. We have an opportunity to try different situations which helped to create a bond on and off the sheep.</p><p>I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support.<br>Guess this means I'd better learn how to whistle!!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/00da3aede4bef1d44dd8bb159408c74346bb4558/original/mike3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73106262023-12-15T07:00:00-05:002024-01-10T21:04:02-05:00Update on the Herding Community in Nova Scotia<p>By Hilary Flower</p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit also to Hilary</i></span></p><p>Living in beautiful Nova Scotia has its challenges if you want to sheepdog trial! While we are not at the end of the earth, it sometimes feels like it when we look for clinics and competitions. Currently there are two trials held locally; one in July that I host and one in October hosted by Fred and Anne Hamilton. Both are Novice trials at this time because we want to be able to offer two runs a day to give Novice handlers experience at the post and give them the opportunity to earn enough points to go to the Novice finals (NEBCA). We hope to have enough handlers/dogs to offer an Open trial next year.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/ddbf6c1e33c3af18c264d385cf0ae74be3589719/original/image-3.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />While I am fortunate to be able to travel to trials, this is not possible for a lot of the handlers from Nova Scotia. The closest venue is in Quebec (11 hours), the US is 14 hours, Kingston is16 hours and Shepherd’s Crook is 19 hours. Training in Nova Scotia is not as easily accessible as in other parts of Canada. It’s a little bit of the “blind leading the blind”.</p><p>Yes, I have been working dogs for quite some time on the farm and have started a lot of pups, but I am not a trainer. My friend<br>Heather, who trains here at my place and has some trial experience, is good with young dogs and is a good communicator as far as training the handler. To bring a clinician in is expensive and we don’t have the # of participants or the $ as in more populated Provinces.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/9eb1f88af48c65f7b4347c1b051a86a1d817535b/original/image-2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" />There is a small group of us that offer our sheep/farm for small fun learning clinics for people to come and work on specific problems during Spring/Summer for a minimal cost. Information can be found on the Facebook Group “Maritime Sheepdog Training Club”. The recreational herding community is growing, which is encouraging, but we have not managed to convince farmers to come learn how useful a trained farm dog can be. This summer I hope to offer a more hands-on practical work trial with chores such as pens/chutes/loading a trailer.</p><p><strong>Trial and Error SDT</strong><br>After all the rain we had, I was finally able to get the field mowed so the trial could go ahead. The weather was perfect, the sheep cooperated. I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. A big “Thanks” to our judge Ellen Beasley! Also, our Sponsors Inukshuk, Omega Alpha, Crazy Dog Treats and overall awards donated by Elizabeth Edmonds.</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/73106282023-12-06T07:00:00-05:002023-12-06T07:00:02-05:00Applewood Ridge Farm - ‘Farm Chores’ Fun Day - November 2023<p>By Lisa McPherson</p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit to </i></span><span class="text-small" style="color:rgb(5,5,5);"><i>Anne Knegt</i></span></p><p>As I was checking Facebook one day, I noticed Tracy Hinton and Kevan Gretton posted a Fall Fun Day on the OBCC FB page. It looked like it was going to be a lot of fun. They were going to set up a course that focused on “farm chores”, something I typically don’t get to do since I don’t have access to a farm. I signed up right away! </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/65ad7d88ceb0705de9e0c5eddcf10ab3b2289320/original/387488396-329792946473547-1940790855034315506-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The day started cool and cloudy but Tracy and her husband Tim had arranged a roaring fire for warming, with lots of coffee, tea and goodies and as the day went along, the sun came out and it was very pleasant! You never know what sort of weather Mother Nature might surprise us with at the end of November. </p><p>Upon arrival it was evident that Tracy was into the Christmas spirit. She had the barn decorated with fun signs and some of the obstacles were aptly named “Snowflake Alley” and “Santa Clause” cones. We even gave the Y chute an earworm “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Chute”.</p><p>Tracy and Kevan had taken a lot of time organizing the course for the 24 handlers that signed up for the day. They had a flock of 32 lambs that were very amenable to the course put forth. It was set up like typical “farm chores” with a bit of everything and they were both on hand to help out the handlers if needed. </p><p>We started the course gathering the flock and sorting off 4. For some dogs, gathering a larger flock proved to be a bit of a challenge but we were encouraged to go in and help if needed. We then took the 4 sheep to the handling system and loaded them in the back. Working in the smaller farmyard was certainly different than working in a big field. </p><p>From there we went to the barn where there were 4 sheep from a previous run resting and we had to take them out of the barn and exhaust them to the main group in the graze. Where you put your dog really made the difference to whether they came out of the barn or not! We then crossed the driveway and did a big gather of 4 sheep that were being hazed at the top of the main field by the previous handler and put them in the barn to rest until the next handler’s turn. This proved to be quite difficult. The sheep being exhausted wanted to stay with their friends waiting in the handling system and not go into the barn. The dogs and handlers really had to read the sheep to get them away from their friends and moving them one way had a huge advantage to moving them the other. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/5eaf0244329f3333fd4b8911cf35eb0ea94cec35/original/370122846-1260649598661761-5929844108187662007-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Next came dealing with the sheep in the handling system. It was great practice to move sheep without the dog. The front of the handling system was loaded with sheep and we were to let those ones out and reposition the ones in the back to the front. Some people hadn’t used a handling system before but everyone was able to get the sheep into their next position. It was observed that the first sheep was the luckiest and coveted the most space. </p><p>Then the “chore” section was done and we had our working group. Tracy had set up a number of obstacles in the main field that we could work on while the next handler and dog started the chore section of their run. The main field had a line of trees decorated with snowflakes that we could drive or wear the sheep through.</p><p>Then we moved onto the snowman tunnel – the fence and a hog panel with a tarp over it made the tunnel. It proved difficult when the wind picked up a bit in the afternoon and the tarp flapped! The sheep needed more of a push to get through and if the dog was a bit ahead of the last sheep, she would see the dog through the panel and bolt back out of the tunnel. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/df2528c06cc9484cc239ba099d9114c41919ebfe/original/371538846-347254337894995-821534673295123385-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The most fun was the Santa Claus cone weave. Tracy had found some felt Santa’s, put them on some large construction cones and we had to weave through them. Your timing had to be perfect or it was a mess! Based on the discussion around the fire, a lot of us spent some time trying to get the sheep around those cones!</p><p>Almost done! Our last obstacle was to put the sheep through the jingle bell chute. Some of the sheep noticed the jungle bells and were quite sure they were out to get them so didn’t want anything to do with the Y chute! Whew! Done! Now you just had to settle the sheep and convince them to stay up on the hill for the next dog. </p><p>It was a fantastic day! Tracy and Kevan had laid it out so that it kept things going, we never had to wait for changing the sheep, we got to try our hands at different skills and see how what we do on the trial field fits together with actual farm work. Everyone was so supportive of each other and if we couldn’t figure out what to do next, everyone kept you going in the right direction. I highly recommend going to a day like this if you can, but beware - if you’re like me, you’re going to really want a sheep farm! </p><p>Thanks to Tracy and Kevan for providing us the opportunity to be a farmer for a day!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/7248c530a4bf1fa4e68812e7df240ea8abfd2607/original/fall-fun-day-map.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72953002023-10-30T07:00:00-04:002023-10-30T07:00:01-04:00Shepherds' Crook Fall Farm Trial - 2023<p>By Rebecca Lawrence</p><p><span class="text-small" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"><i>*Photo credits to Rebecca Lawrence and Michelle Lawrence</i></span></p><p>The pen has closed on another successful fall trial at Shepherd’s Crook.</p><p>Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes at a dog trial? This year I had the opportunity to see how much work goes into preparing for a trial, starting months ahead of the actual trial date! I found it such a fascinating learning experience that I wanted to share my newfound knowledge with my fellow handlers who have not had the opportunity to put on a trial.</p><p>Kevan and Viki start planning for the Shepherd’s Crook Trial many months ahead of time. In January, they finalize the date of the trial, after looking for possible conflicts with other trial dates and their own schedules. This year, as Kevan was a member of Team Canada at the ISDS World Sheepdog Trials in Ireland, the dates he would have to be away also had to be considered. The selected dates play an important role in Kevan’s flock planning for when he puts rams in with the ewes for breeding and the time of weaning the lambs, so that the ewes are healthy and fit to participate in the trial. By having the date finalized in January, Viki can submit the trial for sanctioning to the USBCHA, OBCC and NEBCA at the start of February, so that the trial can be listed on their respective websites. This allows handlers to start planning our own calendars early in the year. (Yes, they have already started to look at possible dates for 2024!)</p><p>Once the dates are selected, Viki then starts the process to locate a judge for the trial. Kevan and Viki like to bring an imported judge from the UK; which means Viki gets to go through her Rolodex, Facebook friends list, and she may contact previous judges for suggestions on possible candidates. This usually takes her between four to six weeks to locate, contact, and winnow through the list to find someone who would like to fly to Canada to judge three long days of dog trialing.</p><p>Then it is lambing time for them both, and the trial planning goes on pause!</p><p>July is a busy month as Viki reaches out to the judge to arrange flights and to see if the judge would like to come for just the trial dates or would they like to do some sightseeing while they visit Canada. If the latter, then the cost for it is also part of the trial budget. The entry form is posted with the opening and closing dates, the latter is usually three to four weeks before the trial date. Kevan arranges for the tent crew (Taylor & Chris) for set-out pens. Ribbons, port-a-potties, blankets for the overall winners in each class, novice prizes and tent crew costs are added to the expenses. Kevan works on preparing his flock and fields in the months leading up to the trial to make sure everything will be ready, and in good shape for the trial. Unlike other parts of Ontario, Shepherd’s Crook received plentiful amounts of rain this year, which led to a delay of the first cut of hay being in July.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/7b522b80f932b4cd2ffa2e9d1e955323eedda208/original/rkml-sheep-in-open-pen.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />In August, the rotational grazes are planned and begin to be implemented to shorten the pasture lengths in the trial fields to make for easier trialing. Kevan also must plan future grazes for the trial duration, so that the sheep would be well fed during the trials; as well as reserving grazes for the lambs/unfit ewes to use during the trial. Viki contacts the caterer and provides them with the approximate number of meals that will be required; yet another budget item that she keeps track of on her trial spreadsheets.</p><p>In September, Kevan and Kim go into high gear getting the farm ready for the trial! (Last year Kim repainted the Open panels so that they would be nice and visible to the handler at the post. This year, on the day Kevan and Kim left for the World Trial, they went through their gardens clearing them out for the autumn. Kim likes to have a pretty welcome for the handlers as they arrive at Shepherd's Crook! Scott and Chris Gretton did a second cut of the upper half of the Open field at the beginning of September, so that the pasture would be short enough for our dogs to find their sheep.) In mid-September, it is time to wean the lambs so that the ewes have plenty of time to dry up and get fit for the trial. Weekly fecal samples are collected, and analyzed, to make sure the sheep are healthy. The sheep also have weekly foot baths and hoof trims as needed to keep their feet in tip-top shape. By the end of the month, Kevan and Viki are in constant communication, planning for the judge pickup, and reviewing the spreadsheets budgets. Viki has a separate Shepherd’s Crook Trial bank account which allows her to keep an accurate account of income and expenditures for the trial. Viki goes through all the entries and refunds for the trial, and reaches out to people on the wait list, so that she can prepare her first draft of the running order. This is posted online so that handlers can review it and let her know if there are any changes to be made.</p><p>The final week before the trial is chock-full of final preparations! Any ewe that is unfit to trial is moved from the main flock to the lamb flock by Kevan and his team. The port-a-potties are delivered for Kevan to set up. Viki notifies the caterer of the final number of meals required for the handlers dinner. She then calculates all expenses for the trial. Viki arranges for her final running orders, scribe sheets and score sheets to be printed. She goes to the bank to get the payout funds so she can prepare the envelopes once she arrives at Shepherd’s Crook. The blankets, novice prizes, and ribbons are made ready to be distributed to the winners. Kevan and Viki review the final running order to organize the set-out and scribe lists. Kevan and his team (which has been Sue Moore and me the past two years), spend several days setting up the grazes for the trialing ewes, and the weaned lamb flock, as well as the exhaust sheep. The set-out pens and handling equipment are erected in both the Novice field and the Open field, and relevant farm gates are covered in tarps to discourage the trial ewes from the draws. Water containers are moved on to both fields for the set out and exhaust dogs. On the day before the trial, the last of the set up is completed: port-a-potties, handlers tent, panels, post, pens, blinds, exhaust pools and the Open exhaust gate are put in place in preparation for the handlers' arrivals that afternoon.</p><p>Each morning during the trial, Kevan’s team is out at six o’clock in the morning moving the trial ewes to their relevant set out pens. The lambs/unfit ewes are moved to their graze once the trial begins each day. Before the end of the trial, the latter are brought back into the barn while the trial ewes are returned to their night graze after the trial day is completed. Kevan still must do all his normal farm chores each day (for example: feeding guardian dogs, orphan lambs, farm upkeep, etc). Along with running their dogs, both Kevan and Viki are kept busy throughout the trial handling all the issues that arise during it. Kim is working hard behind the scenes feeding the judge, Kevan, Viki and the tent crew as well as being a gracious hostess to all the handlers. (As an aside, thank you so much Kim for the loan of your drover’s coat when I ran out of dry rain gear. I guess three sets wasn’t enough! And here I thought I was overpacking.)</p><p>When the last run is done, various handlers help the trial team to strike the Open field so that the trial ewes can have their graze back!</p><p>Post trial, Kevan makes sure the judge is seen safely off at the airport. Viki must complete and submit the trial results and sanctioning fees to the USBCHA, and the trial results to the OBCC and to NEBCA. Once it is complete, it is time for Kevan and Viki to start thinking and planning for next year’s trial!</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/773fec174d418f539011dd99ee363495a37333bc/original/mlphotoart-kevan-and-bud.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />For this year’s trial, the Open field was a challenging course, requiring the dogs to feel comfortable leaving one field and to go through an open gate on either side of the sending field and cross into another field and over a ditch (spring runoff) to fetch the sheep. The packet of sheep had to be brought back across the ditch, through the fetch panels and through another gate in the middle of the fence before continuing with the normal post turn, drive, cross drive, shed and pen. Shepherd’s Crook Trial has a second field for the Novice trials that is a relatively flat field that allows the novices to not lose sight of their dog and sheep during the whole run.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/d3d294a19f7150ed467e303a5c2bf6187b95d040/original/mlphotoart-viki-and-jones.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />On Saturday, in the ‘nicest’ weather of the weekend, Team Canada represented! Tracy Hinton & Lad won the day, and Kevan Gretton & Bud came in reserve. I wonder if their recent experience with the Irish weather gave them a leg-up for the day? Ranch 1 was won by Marilyn Terpstra & Euchre, the reserve was Louise Hadley & Boone. Nursery 1 was led by Mary Thompson & Rain, and the reserve was Marilyn Terpstra & Euchre.</p><p>On Sunday, the Novice Day’s weather was cold and miserably wet. Novice-novice 1 and 2 was won by Rachel Duncan & Buck with Felicia Pinos & Cove as the reserve. Pro-Novice 1 was led by Mary Thompson & Rain with Kelly Morrow & Ginny as reserve. Pro-Novice 2 was won by Kathy Keats & Tess and reserve was Anne Wheatley & Rye . Mary Ann Duffy & Bonnie won Ranch 2 with the reserve Kelly Morrow & Ginny. In Nursery 2, Marilyn Terpstra & Euchre won with Mary Thompson & Rain as the reserve.</p><p>On Monday’s cold, wet, blustery, and even more miserable weather day, Tracy Hinton & Lad won again! Christine Koval & Nick were the reserve.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e154d334921f61b5c43840c06596995032b1afd8/original/rkml-taylor-van-shaik.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />A huge thank you to our judge, Eamon “Curly” McAuley who had to sit through three days of some very wet and windy weather, and our set out crew of Taylor Van Schaik (who gave up the opportunity to trial her dog and instead spend three days never escaping the weather! Thank you “Housekeeping”!) and the always reliable Chris Gretton deserve lots of thanks! Thank you to Sue Moore, my cohort in early morning and late afternoon flock management at the trial (stupid lambs)! To all the handlers who volunteered for set out and scribing, a thank you as well!</p><p>My biggest thank you goes to Kevan & Kim Gretton and Viki Kidd for all their months of planning, hard work and hosting a trial that is always well enjoyed by our community of handlers! I sincerely appreciate the work you put into Shepherd’s Crook Trial each and every year. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/eaadf2be23eb862f322c8cd6ede448790e1ff59c/original/mlphotoart-rebecca-and-m-abh.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72906222023-10-23T07:00:00-04:002023-10-23T12:26:35-04:00Indian River Fall Sheepdog Trial - October 10-13, 2023<p>By Anne Wheatley </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/d6368b68c395da7849e1c1033e3a62db071c8dab/original/ir-field.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><span class="text-small"><i>*photo credits to Anne Wheatley and Helen Knibb</i></span></p><p>I expect most of us were holding our breath for better weather after the wind and rain and chill of Shepherds Crook, and fortunately we got it. We actually saw the sun periodically, and it felt glorious.</p><p>Open 1 was held on Day 1 on the big, fairly narrow field with a challenging long outrun. Paul Batz set for the first nine runs and before I went up to set later after my run he cautioned that less dog was best. Some groups were splitting and one or two sheep just leaving, seemingly unprovoked. The Indian River sheep are never push overs and I love that. On occasions when I’ve done well I’ve felt that I earned it. The class started with three 40 something scores in a row before <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/df53f8047d5124ad031e555a7f3bf2c553ec2744/original/ir-2023.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Tracy and Lad scored an 85. Then Mary Thompson and Daisy scored another 85 and then with Teagan got 80. Game on. A very close run off later resulted in Tracy and Lad winning 1st place.</p><p>Nursery 1 was held on day 1 with 8 teams. 3 teams included 2yr old Teagan x Bud litter mates - Mary Thompson and Rain, Lorna Savage and Jackson and me and Rye. It was particularly fun for me to see their similarities and differences. Mary and Rain won it and Andrea de Kenedy and her young Sweep came a close second.</p><p>Open 2 was held the next day and the sheep had settled nicely by then. But that draw to the exhaust needed managing and for a few runs it poured rain. Amanda and Tui were first with a beautiful 26 point drive and a 91. It was good to see Amanda back on the field. Tracy and Lad were second with 90.</p><p>Nursery 2 resulted in Marilyn Terpstra winning it and Andrea and Sweep gaining a second leg.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/5d99f8f2d0781bb0b7c17276c711589d03ef89d8/original/ir-thumbnail.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The Novice day was really great. Not just because the sun shone, the leaves were brilliant and it was sort of warm, but because the Novice Novice handlers did themselves proud. There were 9 dog/handler teams competing. The dogs were all well under control. Lynn Inia and Fleet won the first class with a 71 and Felicia Pines with her dog Cove came second with a 65. Third place went to Janet Thompson and Banjo with a 62. All good scores.</p><p>Pro Novice 1 resulted in an exciting run off for first place between Pamela Hall and Fen and Kathy Keats and Tess of outrun, lift and fetch. Tess won that. Andrea and Sweep were 3rd with 67. My Rye was 4th with 65 - oops, I guess we usually don’t talk about 4th place.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/b6377cf14a5cef6d7627d6a06c371d3482dac3b9/original/ir-2023-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Competitors showed their dogs’ good pace again for Novice Novice 2 resulting in a win for Felicia Pynes and Cove with a 69 and second for Peter Bangarth and Aoife with 60 points. 3rd place went to Lisa McPherson and her Robbie. Good job NN handlers and dogs!</p><p>The top 7 scores in Pro Novice 2 were in the 70’s. Andrea de Kenedy and Sweep won it with 76. Lorna Savage and Jackson were 2nd with 74 and Celeste Lacroix and Darcy came 3rd with another 74. These dogs are pretty darn good drivers.</p><p>I’m so grateful to the hosts and managers of trials. I hope they forget between times just how much work it is to make them happen. We’d be lost without them. Thank you Cynthia and John Palmer for doing it all to make Indian River SDT come together. Thank you Helen Knibb and Teresa Castonguay for managing the pens for 3 days. Special kudos for the photo taken early morning at the top and posted here and on the club fb page. Thanks to the set out people and the scribes and the posters and everyone else who helped out. Special thanks to Lorna Savage, Tara Dier, Carolyn West, Tracy Hinton and Viki Kidd for judging.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/22d7a3bf920a89db5d0e4a45f02cdb449f72c1ed/original/ir-setout2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72900972023-10-20T07:00:00-04:002023-10-23T12:26:35-04:00Reprint of the Tribute to Alice at the ABCA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c9437318e971ad67b13bc6332410cf195798fc01/original/img-1061-1.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Recently Jenny Glen gave a moving tribute to Scott Glen’s dog Alice when she was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame. Scott has won numerous Canadian and American Championships and is a long time Ontario clinician. That tribute is reprinted here.</p><p> </p><p>A Tribute to Scot Glen's Alice </p><p>By Jenny Glen</p><p>When I was told Alice had been voted into the Hall of Fame, I immediately asked if I could do her speech. It’s easy enough to look up her accomplishments: she was a three time National Champion, a National Nursery Champion, a reserve National Nursery Champion, a Canadian Champion and Reserve Canadian Champion. A three-time Western Canadian Champion, a two time Bluegrass Champion, a Soldier Hollow gold medalist and a Meeker Champion. But none of those stats tell Alice’s story and even Scott says, I probably know that the best of anyone as I was the one who chronicled her life and achievements in writing.</p><p>I suppose we should start with her mom and dad. Her proud poppa was Scott’s Don, a two-time national champion who was the son of Star, a three-time national champion. Her mother was Wendy Schmaltz’s Gin. If you never got to meet Gin, you missed out on a quality dog. Smooth coated and with the family’s characteristic freckles, Gin could work both sheep and cattle and proved it in 2010 when she won the All Around Stockdog award after being the National Reserve Champion Cattle dog and third place in that year’s Sheep Nationals with a thrilling finish that had all the handlers yelling at Wendy to close the gate of the pen with 3 seconds left in the double lift.</p><p>Alice was conceived at Soldier Hollow in 2011 but it was at THIS venue, in Carbondale, that we named her just a mere 2 weeks later. A friend of Scott’s and Colorado sheepdog competitor, Bill Money had recently died and his daughter, Alice, was brought to the trial to spectate. Scott didn’t think she would remember him, but her mother assured him that Alice had been asking if Scott would be there. Scott didn’t win that year but when he got the best shed trophy, he was thrilled to hear little Alice’s voice cheering for him in the crowd. That night he said he wanted to name the pup we got from this Gin x Don cross, Alice, after Alice Money. Now a note on that… I’m gonna take some credit for the fact that we decided on a pup for a stud fee. I gotta take my credit where I can. Alice was out of the second cross with Gin and the first litter was showing promise, so I pushed for getting a female out of the litter.</p><p>(A little-known fact… when Alice went to the World Trial in 2017, it wasn’t her first time. She had actually gone in utero in 2011 when Gin represented Canada). We literally picked her off of a photograph when she was only 3 days old. Speaking of taking credit, I’m gonna take credit for Alice’s training too. What they learn first they learn best, right? Well, I was the one who turned Alice on to sheep when she was 10 weeks old. She had never been interested in them as she followed me doing chores so I thought, when we had lambs, that I would get one of those cute, puppy/lamb photographs that you always see. The trouble was, neither Alice nor the lamb would have anything to do with each other or even stay on the same straw bale so I gave up on the picture and went to grab the lamb to put it back. I missed my catch and as the lamb took off, so did this little fuzzy speckled pup. Alice immediately got around the lamb, pushed it back towards me and laid down. I wondered if I had just seen what I thought I had seen and walked away from the lamb. Alice had no plans of letting it escape and flanked around and balanced it to me again. This was no accident, and she was actually balancing a single lamb to me at only 10 weeks old. A couple weeks later I was in the field with her while Scott was working the whole flock. He told me to be careful that pup didn’t chase off the sheep. I told him not to worry, look what she could do and showed him how she would go around the whole flock both ways without splitting any off. That was the last time I ever got my hands on Alice as a working dog…</p><p>Scott took over from there and by the time she was 10 months old he could rough out a course with her. Her first trial was on April 27, 2013 at Stirling Acres Farm in BC, when she was 17 months old and she was second and got her first leg towards the nursery nationals. The next day she won it and got her second leg. After that, Scott didn’t try to win anymore classes. He used his runs for training her and making sure she did things right. The result was that when we went to the Nationals in Virginia in 2013, the 22 month old pup wasn’t on anyone’s radar as something to beat. It was a difficult nursery course with sheep constantly trying to run back to the set out. Once they were convinced to come down the hill, they ran like deer, but Alice had the magic touch on them. She put enough pressure on the lift so they wouldn’t get back to the set out but as they sprinted away, she opened up her flank and showed the soft touch that would win sheep over the rest of her life. She repeated the technique the second day and, in the end, had won the Nursery Nationals before she was two years old - the same year her father won the open nationals. The next year she was the reserve nursery champion and moved up into the open class. Her first win in open was at the Heppner, Oregon trial on March 14, 2015, after that, the year was a pretty typical for what we would come to expect from Alice. She made the double lifts at Stirling Acres, The Bluegrass, The Canadian Championship and Soldier Hollow. She also won the first round of the National finals but her wide left hand outrun – a weakness that had to be managed most of her life, caused her to get lost in the semi’s and end her first year a little early. From then on, it was onwards and upwards as she won most of the major trials in North America.</p><p>It didn’t take long for Alice to earn full house privileges, although my computer cords suffered for it and you couldn’t leave a dollar bill or ChapStick on the coffee table or you’d only find them again in pieces. She had a sense of humor and a deviousness to her that was easily forgivable when she gave her awkward eye squinting smile. She and her father, Don, spent most of their time under our kitchen table waiting for the cats to walk by, but she slept on the couch in both the house and the camper and rarely saw the inside of a crate.</p><p>She was bred twice to Scott’s Coy and produced some successful pups. In the first litter, my Grit, who inherited her charming freckles, won a couple open trials and was given the Biggest Heart Award at Meeker for working during a torrential downpour placing 8th in the double lift. In the second litter, Scott was 4th in the National Nursery Championships with Laura Esterman’s Kell and his littermate, Tim was the 2022 Canadian Sheep Champion and the 2022 Reserve Canadian Cattle Champion with Scott. When crossed with Scott’s Meeker Champion, Taff, she produced Roy who was the 2022 Canadian Nursery Champion and the Bluegrass Nursery Champion.</p><p>Alice loved her pups, but not as a mother, she loved them as playmates. Grit was her favorite and it didn’t matter that he wasn’t into playing with dogs, she would stalk him as he tried to ignore her, and then pounce on him and drag him by his scruff until he would agree to pay attention to her. </p><p>In 2021 when she was 9, we figured she would be ready to be retired, but Alice had other plans and we were torn about whether it was actually time to or not. As Meeker, the last major trial that she had not won, approached we kept saying, wouldn’t it be nice… if only she could go out on top… Alice did not disappoint. In the double lift she did a flawless turn back, a quick shed and then, just to keep us all on the edge of our seats, used almost all of 10 minutes to get that pen saving it until the clock was near to running out. When it was done, it was clear she had won it and it was the last jewel in the crown for the Queen.</p><p>Two weeks later I was sitting with her in the camper just a few days before the nationals would start and Alice had a grand mal seizure. When it was over, her recovery took several hours, and she was agitated and barking nonstop. She ended up having to be sedated at an emergency vet just to get her back to normal. The likely diagnosis was brain tumor, but we hoped it would be slow growing and she could still run at her last nationals. We were blown away that she could win Meeker, one of the hardest trials anywhere, just two weeks before the tumor started affecting her. The day before her scheduled nationals run, she seemed normal so we took her to a practice field to make sure she was going to be able to compete. She needed a few redirects to find the sheep on her outrun but once she was on them, she worked them perfectly. Scott sent her on another outrun and she still needed help which was odd, but she fetched and drove them with the same finesse as she always had. He called her in on the shed and she ended up hitting a panel with her head. That’s when we realized she was mostly blind. She had no idea where those sheep were or even what kind of ground she was running on. She went out on those outruns on faith. Scott asked her to, so she did. They were so connected that it was hard to tell she was running in darkness.</p><p>We scratched her from that finals and we were tearfully honored when the national finals was shut down on the open and nursery fields, during the spot she would have run in, to pay tribute to her and give us a beautiful painting of her.</p><p>After the nationals we drove cross country to one more trial in Washington before we headed home. Alice rode in the back seat of the truck with us, as she always did but when we arrived at the trial, we could tell she had deteriorated even more. She was completely blind and over the next few days dementia set in and she wandered our camper aimlessly. I stayed up with her each night to keep her from getting stuck behind the table on in a corner and we agreed when we got home in a couple days, it would be time to put her to sleep.</p><p>On the last day of the trial, I had wanted to tape Scott’s run with Pip in the double lift. I had Alice out of the camper to go for a short walk when I realized the trial was going much faster than anticipated and Scott was next. I had no time to put Alice away, so she went with me to the field. As we came up to spectate, the sheep from the previous run ran past us and Alice lifted up her nose and smelled them. We continued on and I asked a friend who was a veterinary technician to hold her leash while I videoed the run and if Alice got agitated, I would stop and take her back. While the run was going on, Alice was quiet as she got a soothing massage, but when Scott and Pip got to the pen, his commands got more urgent. Alice heard them and started to get frantic. She was blind and barely knew who she was anymore because of dementia ,- she didn’t really even know who I was anymore, but when she heard Scott’s voice, and realized he needed help, she wanted to go. The only thing left in that brain was Scott and sheep.</p><p>We took her home two days later and I kissed her and told her I would love her forever, as I sent them off to the vet. I felt that her last moments needed to be spent with just Scott as he was her heart and soul.</p><p>I consider myself privileged to have known a great dog like her so well. To have shared a home and a life with her and cheered her on in all her accomplishments and I’m grateful that she and Scott are in the Hall of Fame together as their partnership was beautiful to watch. She didn’t leave us empty handed. Her legacy lives on in her granddaughter, Mist, who is Alice in attitude and work and hopefully, the freckles I see on her great grandson, Butch, are a hint of greatness to come. </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72793342023-09-27T17:00:00-04:002023-10-16T11:04:29-04:00Ireland and the Worlds, 2023 <p>By Anne Wheatley<i> </i><span class="text-small"><i>(*Photo Credit to Anne Wheatley and Christine Jobe)</i></span></p><p>Cath I have always wanted to go to Ireland and what better excuse than the Internationals and the World Sheepdog Trials being scheduled there within days of each other in September 2023. We planned to spend two weeks so that we could attend the trials and see some of the country.</p><p>Ahh, Ireland, where the fields are a patchwork of greens defined by hedges, beckoning me to work dogs in each one. Particularly those that overlook the ocean.</p><p>O<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c015f3efcbf79f7fed65e6a09b30aaa7de9fbe9e/original/boggy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />ur trip first got interesting at Dublin airport when we were told that our checked luggage was still in Toronto. Tim Horton’s coffee, a gift for Boggy Warmington from Carol Guy within. Readers might remember Boggy judging Ontario trials in the past. 3 days later the bag showed up to our relief and Boggy’s. It surprised me a bit how losing my stuff could put a real damper on the beginning days of the trip. It also surprised me that Boggy likes his Tim’s so much. You should have seen his face when it finally appeared.</p><p>It’s worth noting that driving in Ireland is different from what we’re used to. The country has narrow winding roads and big trucks and those who seem to wish they were driving Maseratis. Once I had to access a 4 lane highway from the equivalent of a side street. Jeez!</p><p>The Internationals were held in Wicklow County near a town with a name I love - Blessington. It was hot and sunny until the final day. Then it poured. We were prepared with umbrellas and rain coats and pants as we’d heard that in Ireland it rains sometimes. It was fun to watch and try to judge. I miscalculated the winner. It turned out that Cath had quite a long chat with the nervous mum of the young winner before he ran. His name is Fraser Shennan. He started herding when he was 17. Now he was 20 something. Remarkable! We found the Irish very friendly and spent quite a bit of time chatting with people we met. We had a lovely time chatting with Boggy. I can see why Carol sent coffee to him, half way across the world. He’s such a kind and knowledgeable guy.</p><p>A<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/cb9ab7098fa08c277ba8a6c609394c7e57431229/original/img-0656.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />fter the Internationals we went west to see the impressive Cliffs of Moher. As we were driving north from there one day we stopped to say hi to some donkeys on the beach and ran into Tierney Graham. This was a small world event for sure!</p><p>After that we visited Sligo, the centre of Irish music. It’s a pretty town on a river. Our hotel was downtown and next to the river. While we were there an environmental organization was removing garbage from the river, walking in it with hip waders on. Although we saw coal for sale for heating on our travels, there were other indications that Ireland is trying to lower its carbon footprint, like wind turbines everywhere we looked.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/0dccde2aa83da1bd2dfd5b8d9374c61ebf75afb4/original/img-0658-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />We visited the dark hedges where scenes from the Game of Thrones were filmed, and Sliabh Liag, the second highest cliffs in Ireland, as well we saw the Burren and the Giants Causeway. We ate excellent Irish stew, and classic fish and chips, saw gardens, and an Irish beach where I suspect the weather is almost never suitable for hanging out. We met people we know from the US and Peter and Melanie from Ontario and of course our Canadian team.</p><p>At the World Trials we met cheerful shuttle driver William who put 100 miles a day on his van transporting spectators from the car park to the trial fields.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/82c01834807b6b6f0e98c61944100a53ec4173f3/original/img-0101.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The Worlds were so exciting. Like being at the Olympics but knowing so many of the competitors. We had a 4 day pass and grandstand seats at field one where the semi finals and finals would be held. There were 2 other fields running as well as field one for the two qualifying days. We were thrilled to see George Stambulic had scored a 176 early in the day while we were driving to the site. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/0477261b64f603e412a9fc2bae5d28e448728032/original/img-0100.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />We watched Tracy Hinton run Lad on field 3. They had a nice run, but I didn’t think the score reflected that so much. 155. Then Scott Glen ran Mist and retired on the drive away. Things were not going well. Better to cut your losses and retire gracefully. Kevan Gretton and Bud scored a 132. Not their best run but very respectable.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e020b4e4db7db66941435038b50efab223e6f319/original/team-canada.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />As Canadians, the real excitement came when Scott ran Pip and made it into the semi finals. From there the top 16 would move to the final day. Scott was sitting 7th or so and we thought it was a slam dunk he’d be in, when there were only that many left to run. Everyone would need to beat his score to eliminate him. But then there was radio silence for what seemed like a long time when no scores were published. Turns out there was some issue with Scott’s score that they were trying to resolve. It was adjusted downward. I can only imagine an adding or transposition error had caused that. We held our collective breath until it was confirmed that Scott and Pip had snagged the last spot for the final day.</p><p>Scott’s run in the finals was incredible to watch. It was all pretty good until that one collared ewe just wouldn’t play nice in the shedding ring and turned 17 mins to shed and pen into 3 seconds to pen. In true Scott style he slammed the pen gate closed with one second left on the clock. Everyone loves the one second pen and they told Scott that with whoops and cheers!! Scott came 3rd overall.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/733ab2a1f632b31cd4aeecfe90726c6cf12824c6/original/on-the-podium.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>This time I picked the winner before it was announced, on a group chat with friends back home. I said maybe that young guy Petter had the best run - not wanting to sound too sure. Ha, I had it right that time. Petter Landfald from Norway won the World trials. Kevin Evans from Wales was second. Scott was a very close third.</p><p>After the Worlds we travelled to County Donegal and stayed in a hotel that was first purchased for the equivalent of about $800 in 1845. There we ran into the Laferty’s, Tresa and Don, whose names I’d heard but we’d never met. We were in the diningroom having breakfast. I was wearing my Kingston 25th anniversary T shirt and Don a World trial jacket. He said hi. I have new fb friends now.</p><p>I’d recommend Ireland. It’s a beautiful country with even more beautiful people. Everyone was so friendly. The Irish won the team competition. They are pretty darn good at sheepdog trialing.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c9ffbec54438e73d9fc7f0cc77e48ccd030c268e/original/img-0102.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72670942023-09-05T07:00:00-04:002023-09-12T02:55:52-04:00The Kingston Sheepdog Trial - 2023<p>by Werner Reitboeck</p><p>I did not make it to the first few Kingston Sheepdog Trials, at that time called the Pittsburgh Township Sheepdog Trials. My first entry was 4 years later. I drove up, quite nervous, on a Friday morning August 9, 1991. Trial was to begin at 9:00 am. I found Karen Curtis and gave her my entry. I think I ran one dog in Novice and one in ProNovice. Handlers at that time were mostly Ontarians and from NEBCA region. Already some US friends showed up that would become regulars… I guess there probably were 50 or so dogs competing in the three classes.</p><p>Quick forward to today: no more Novice classes, trial starts on Tuesday or Wednesday, this year 114 entries (plus CBCA Nursery 2x22 dogs). Down a bit from 2019 when there were 165 entries. 2020 was no trial due to Covid, 2021 smaller trial with no spectators.</p><p>Before Covid, spectators came on mass - somebody mentioned 6000 or so over the weekend. If they needed to stretch their legs they could watch demos of agility, K9 dogs, birds of prey, shearing; they could shop at a variety of boutique vendors, find food and refreshments at a variety of food stands: a busy, bustling place. This year the crowds were back but not yet all the vendors and demos.</p><p>Sheep (about 600) came from the flock of Erin Rougham and Bob Fleguel from Waupoos Island. The last two years sheep were difficult to say the least, completely undogged and uncooperative, unpredictable. This year sheep were great, still mostly undogged but now they came from solar farm grazing, and while difficult they did react to dogs mostly in a normal fashion. I thoroughly enjoyed running them. Now some of us did have a hard time penning: poor Faansie and Finn: beautiful DL run and, three times sheep were in the pen and each time just as the gate was closing one ewe decided to jump out! So, the CBCA Championship eluded him by one point, he had to be content with Reserve. (Faansie’s Finn was also the Purina Top Field Dog – Herding for 2023. Also running at Kingston were two previous winners of this award: Beverly’s Lee and Barbara’s Grant.)</p><p>In the judges tent this year one could find Michael Davidson from Northumberland and Angie Coker-Sells from Oklahoma, both did an excellent job at sorting the runs. Some of the handlers come from far, far distances like Joe Haynes, who has made Kingston a regular stop. He comes all the way from Arlington, WA. Joe had a great trial experience this year as he won the CBCA Championship with his Jim. Lee Lumb is from BC, Mary Minor, another regular, from Nevada, her partner Sandra Massie acting as chief-shepherd of the flock,and Faansie Basson from Texas. Faansie won Reserve Nursery Championship with Eddie and Reserve CBCA Championship with Finn.</p><p>Lots of handlers from “nearer” States like Virginia, North Carolina, North Eastern States as well as handlers from<br>Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and BC.</p><p>Who was missing this year on the trial field was our host, Amanda. She did, however, provide the spectators with great commentary on the runs. Health problems of her trial dogs prevented her from competing. Whenever and wherever Amanda walks to the handlers’ post chit chat in the handlers’ tent ceases, all eyes are following her dogs as they skillfully maneuver the ewes through the course and into the pen. Ah well, perhaps we shall see her return to the post this October but most certainly by next spring; until then, some of us lesser skilled can share the spoils.</p><p><strong>A review in pictures:</strong> <span class="text-small">(<i>*photo credit also to Werner Reitboeck</i>)</span></p><p>First day was CBCA Nursery competition, each team was allowed 2 runs and combined highest score was declared 2023 CBCA Nursery Champion. This was Mich Ferraro with Peavey, seen here at the pen. Reserve Champion was Faansie Basson with Eddie. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/71791a8902b8f8d61f2b06f6dd6dca9292458171/original/86a1024-edit-edit.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>“I can see the line” during handlers’ meeting Barbara Ray and Tracy Hinton discuss the course while another handler is seen walking the cross drive</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/b3b3984bbaaf969770e85b84bd18ec30cab0e933/original/86a1137.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>“Na… we don’t like this pen…you can’t make us go in” Kevan Gretton’s Bud at the pen</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/f8741baeb63cd1689ea3b501810d6c405866b5f8/original/86a1171-edit.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>Barbara Ray, the virtuoso whistler. Barbara whistled up a storm as handlers listened in awe.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/d0a76bd7fb4f997aad7d65c81c840f84b6af8ae7/original/86a1184.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>Many a handler and dog lost the battle at the pen when sheep decided to keep running in circles.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/088e832ef9d0ede9ccfae964c2e9a7299687869b/original/86a1368-edit.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Another danger of Kingston is the turn around the post. For years handlers were frustrated if their dog could not turn sheep before they were over the crest and so most likely glued to the exhaust pen. Here Viki Kidd hopes that her Jones will beat the woolies to the top.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c19f4fd7cbd4df90f4dbab9ffe7f4b0edd60bef5/original/86a1414-edit-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Helter Skelter: Peg Anderson and Lyn from Oklahoma were frustrated at the pen by four ewes each running in different directions</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/77e0b82862137dc993f51457927a2d4e95eeeb4f/original/86a1498.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p><p>Joe Haynes and Jim had a hard time penning during the preliminaries as one ewe led the way out of the pen, quickly followed by the rest of the sheep. However Joe & Jim had better luck at the Double Lift Finals when they managed to win and so become the 2023 CBCA Champion beating Faansie Basson and Finn by one point.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/4454b0fbf83c8b01aa0947bef842033da54fdea5/original/86a2412-edit.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>The crowds are back. Visitors to the Kingston Sheepdog Trial enthusiastically clapped whenever dogs managed to maneuver sheep successfully around the course.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/881a9f7bc55670f7be147af6d0d84fce10cd8ce7/original/86a2767-edit-edit.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Faansie Basson’s Finn flanking alongside sheep to bring them on line </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/8a0ea5e2675732af542c2a34f519ec62889d7e47/original/86a2855-enhanced-nr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Border collies were as interested as handlers to watch the competition. Here a pup is trying to pick up<br>some pointers as John Campbell's Gem works at the International Shed.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/a4dbebed6d4289dc349a9e238f64e028cbb419d0/original/fr-1035.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Judges scoring Mich Ferraro’s run as her dog, Bella, works the sheep along the cross drive in the double<br>lift</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/0fec8bed9eae613fe873b3226e13fb23db0d7e78/original/fr-1036.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><strong>Scores:</strong></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/251550bd95514b4992844af3413bb00f15e8d094/original/image.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/40f3184e0c473a389ecbc3ca10ae12e879b37b7c/original/image.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/ef586747b76ac52c03ee6221d2d9cf7af33db5e8/original/image.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>The 2024 Kingston Sheepdog Trials are scheduled the week after August 5. See you there!</p><p> </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72609222023-08-24T09:00:00-04:002023-09-01T20:41:24-04:0080 Acres Sheepdog Trial Report - Aug 2023<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">By Celeste Lacroix</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/2fe592666615a1cd9e012e4b8d2799d6cffdf45b/original/image2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_right border_" />This year thunderstorms and heavy rains threatened the 80 Acres Sheepdog Trial right up until the morning's first run when everyone arrived with all-weather gear. Some dogs, arriving at new locations in the extreme thunderstorms, had been lost the evening prior providing just another added edge for the trial organizing committee. In the end, fortunately, all dogs were safe and accounted for. The trial event consists of 2 one and a half day Open trials. Handlers, sheep and dogs were encouraged by the cool / damp weather; many people remembered last year's scorching heat at this event. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">80 Acres Sheepdog Trial was held on 4 to 6 August 2023 on a field that is donated for use by Brian Back and Andrea Winthrop. The property is accessed through a side road off Marclan Rd in Kingston. The field is challenging by being very long, flat and narrow with a seasonal creek running through it. The sheep are exhausted behind the judging station and provide increasing draw as the trial goes on. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">80 Acres Sheepdog Trial is held a week prior to the Kingston Sheep Dog Trial thus attracting handlers from all over North America.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">The judge, Michael Davidson, from Northumberland, UK was a very kind gentleman who was fair in scoring, jolly in attitude and very helpful with advice to anyone who asked. Amanda Milliken’s farm flock sheep were used in groups of 3, combining ewes and lambs. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e25add946d23e88ff607811f23df8efc38b01922/original/al-20230803-5113.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The trial was sanctioned by the Ontario Border Collie Club (OBCC), North Eastern Border Collie Association (NEBCA) and the United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA) for qualifying points to year end points and awards. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">I admittedly only stayed for day 1 as I had just received the new dog that I’d bought from the southern USA which a kind handler coming to the trial offered to transport. Yes, we paid all duties :-). It was “Christmas” at my farm for the next few days, exploring and discovering JR Khaki who clearly didn’t understand my Canadian accent but fortunately seems to be bilingual in whistles. </span></p><p>In case you missed the placings:</p><div style="margin-left:0pt;" dir="ltr" align="left"><figure class="table"><table style=";"><tbody><tr>
<td style="padding:0pt 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;">
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong>Placings Open 1 </strong></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">1. Faansie Basson and Finn: 93 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">2. Lori Cunningham and Buck: 91 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">3. John Palmer and Dutch: 89 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">4. Robin French and Becca: 87 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">5. Barbara Ray and Dinah: 87 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">6. Kevan Gretton and Bud: 86 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">7. Tracy Hinton and Lad: 85 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">8. Tracy Hinton and Tye: 84 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">9. Fiona Robertson and Bean: 84 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">10. Werner Reitboeck and Jessie: 83 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">11. Joe Haynes and Davey: 83 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">12. Sally Molloy and Reese: 82 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">13. Beverly Lambert and Lee: 81 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">14. Faansie Basson and Jack: 81</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0pt 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;">
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong>Placings Open 2</strong> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">1. Robin French and Cait: 88 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">2. Kevan Gretton and Bud: 87 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">3. Mary Minor and Ziya: 86 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">4. Sally Molloy and Kerry: 86 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">5. Lee Lumb and Dez: 86 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">6. Faansie Basson and Jack: 85 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">7. Tracy Hinton and Tye: 85 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">8. Mich Ferraro and Quark: 85 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">9. Barbara Ray and Grant: 85 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">10. Christine Koval and Tru: 83 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">11. Peg Anderson and Dan: 83 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">12. Faansie Basson and Finn: 82 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">13. Peggy Chute and Twizzler: 82 </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">14. Beverly Lambert and Lee: 81</span></p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table></figure></div><p>Dogs Entered:<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/1d3ee6aacc8004db0c0f45dab930fb83628fd7ab/original/80picture1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p><p> 10 - 80 Acres Only <br> 42 - Kingston Only<br> 71 - Both Trials </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p dir="ltr"><br> </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">I did get a chance to conduct a short survey with handlers and thought you might be interested in some of the information regarding your fellow handlers, dogs and more. This will help provide a bit of a view of the handler and dog profile of attendees. Please note, not all handlers responded to the survey (and I did a bit of sleuthing to enhance questions like 'where are handlers from') but it gives an idea of some interesting datapoints!! </span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/589d10433db3dc0ba1f9bdd146c809baaa6f5586/original/image9.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/d97a3b0afb297dada87bf4f6a3edfe51be239f3c/original/image10.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Where are our handlers from?</p><p><strong>Canada - 15</strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/2ef9d3c1ebc475e7b7e48f81c91633cb43012868/original/80picture4.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p><p>ON - 10<br>QC - 3<br>BC - 1<br>AB - 1</p><p><strong>USA - 23</strong></p><p>NC - 5<br>NY - 3<br>CT - 3<br>PA - 2<br>MI - 1<br>MS - 1<br>TX - 1<br>FL - 1<br>WA - 1<br>GA - 1<br>VA - 1<br>MA - 1<br>NV - 1<br>NH - 1</p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/57073180d08cb53dee3d1c2b48b68547ded02df8/original/image3.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/30b2005008a41506558d87147cfc5c6b2788cb4f/original/image4.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e9ddbc4386efddb258e6ca273e813a2a873e543b/original/image5.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/6b8007abf1aeb648993d62029b6d01ac8e502936/original/image6.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/1beed17a7b51727ba773692dd5741252f6531680/original/image7.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/f7b4a6bc668de612232a757e3db0e900092043ee/original/80picture2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/ca8b37facc7c484aa14f6d97d34434f113b20fe8/original/80picture3.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>And finally, advice to new Handlers:</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/882ad669a6e1b58e10cec6f3af4ce29e8cf0d88e/original/image13.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><span class="text-small" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><i>*All photos credit Alanna Leach</i></span></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72469032023-08-07T07:00:00-04:002023-08-07T07:00:02-04:00Trial Etiquette<div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><p><span lang="EN-US">Trial Etiquette – This article was published in the OBCC newsletter in 2001 and again in 2008.</span></p></div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><p><span> </span></p></div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<p><span lang="EN-US">Some etiquette do's and don'ts for competitors as we engage in another trial season. Tips are provided by various handlers of all levels from the sheepdog pages on the Web.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<p><span lang="EN-US">Prior to the Trial</span><span> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">enter trial promptly on provided entry form and ensure it is legible, and the payment is appropriate. </span> Or submit online as instructed.</span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you can't attend, even at the last minute, contact the trial organizer and let them know. Don't automatically expect your entry fee back, you might get it, you might not, depending on when you cancel. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if the handler's dinner is scheduled, pay ahead of time for everyone in your group.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you are not confident the dog can do the class reasonably correctly and under control, don't enter! It's not polite to harass someone else's sheep and could be costly to you. </span> </span></li>
<li>
<span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you arrive at the site very late at night, be as quiet as possible in consideration of any others who may be sleeping.</span> </span><br> </li>
</ul>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<div style="clear:both;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span style="color:windowtext;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Going to the post</span><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">plan to attend the handler's meeting and ask questions politely. It is solely your responsibility to know the course before going to the post. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">tell the scribe your name and your dog's name as you pass them, not everyone knows you and your dog. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">no socializing with the judge on the way. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if your dog doesn't walk quietly beside you, have the dog leashed, but don't drag him. Remember there may be spectators watching. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">when getting ready to send your dog, do not wait for sheep to be set perfectly before sending your dog and conversely do not send the dog before the setup person has had an opportunity to reasonably settle the sheep. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">don't talk to the judge at any time during your run. It's a good way to get DQ'd. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if your run isn't going well or the dog is running the sheep, retire. Do this by turning to the judge and saying thank you and then leave the post, immediately get or call your dog, clear your sheep off the field, if you can, and promptly leave. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always remember to close the gate of the pen. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if things don't go well, don't ask for a rerun. If the judge thinks you deserve one, they'll tell you. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">do not automatically expect the judge to remember or critique your run after judging all day.</span> </span></li>
</ul></div>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span lang="EN-US">Helping out</span><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">volunteer to help for any and every job that is available. Not only is it a good way for novices in particular to learn, it really does help the trial organizer.</span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you have an applicable dog, be willing to do sheep setting, someone did it for you. The only way to learn this job is to do it. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">sheep set out is not a training ground for young dogs. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if requested, always do your turn at exhausting sheep, no matter how your run went. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">unless you are the scribe, collecting scores or going to the post, do not enter judge’s area while run is going on.</span> </span></li>
</ul></div>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span lang="EN-US">Scribing/secretary</span><span> </span></p></div></div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you are lucky enough to be the coveted judge’s scribe, remember your primary duty is to annotate whatever the judge tells you to write, not to entertain. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">be quiet as he or she watches the run, pay attention, and show you are truly interested and attentive and, more often than not, the judge will begin to talk about what he/she is doing and why he/she is doing it. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">don't offer an opinion unless asked. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">be willing to share the job with other people who are just as eager as you to learn. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">do not monopolize the judge's time and space when they're not judging, someone else probably would like to meet him/her as well.</span> </span></li>
</ul></div></div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span lang="EN-US">Under the tent</span><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">be in good humor and provide your own chair </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">whether you have a good or a bad run, revel or commiserate in it for only 15 minutes, yours is not the only dog in the trial. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">novices should find an open handler or two watching the trial, park your chair nearby, watch each run and listen quietly as they critique the run; much can be learned. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">do not overly solicit open handlers for commentary or critiques of your run, if you want more details, take a lesson with that handler and pay them for their knowledge. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">never criticize or question the judge's ability within their or the host’s hearing. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">never unjustly criticize the trial or its host or organizers, remember you are a guest on their property. If the host requests no smoking or dogs in handler's tent, abide by the request.</span> </span></li>
</ul></div>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span lang="EN-US">Sportsmanship</span><span> </span></p></div>
</div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always treat your dog and other handlers with respect, and consideration. Particularly if you just had a bad run. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">don't criticize or blame the sheep, the set out, the judging, the trial site, the camping, other people's runs, dogs - in short anything. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">no cursing. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">accept criticism of your run by other handlers as well as you accept compliments. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if a spectator asks you a question and you are not getting ready to run, take a minute or two to talk with them. Goodwill goes a long way. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always be gracious when receiving your prize for whatever placing regardless of if you felt you and your dog should have placed higher. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always return perpetual trophies.</span> </span></li>
</ul></div></div><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="clear:both;direction:ltr;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;"><p><span lang="EN-US">General</span><span> </span></p></div>
<div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">
<ul>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always thank the trial host, even if you don’t plan to go back - never forget how much work goes into putting trials on. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you have a suggestion that may improve the trial, contact them after the trial when they can absorb it and appreciate it. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if sponsors are present, go out of your way to thank them, even if you never use their product or didn't win their prizes. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">always clean up after your dog. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">never leave your dog to wander unattended. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">if you have a bitch in heat, keep her put away until her run and then away again immediately afterwards. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">don't let your dogs bark. Ever. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">no playing fetch or frisbee in the camping area or car park at any time. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">keep your dog leashed around other dogs and people. </span> </span></li>
<li><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN-US">do not run generators for extended periods of time and avoid doing so beside another camper whenever possible.</span> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><i>*Thumbnail photo credit to Heather Millen</i></p>
</div>
</div>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72469022023-07-26T07:00:00-04:002023-07-26T07:00:03-04:00Handy Dog Trial Report - Summer 2023<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><div dir="ltr"><div>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">By Sue Moore</span></p>
<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/85d3487c20018a7c7eb1414e412b80fc0bf34e6c/original/img-0429.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The first OBCC sanctioned trial of the 2023 season was held at Handy Dog farm July 8 and 9, hosted by Victoria Lamont and John Straube. It gave many handlers an opportunity to see where they are in their training with all the lessons and clinics they have attended this spring. Viki Kidd provided the sheep which were good and even the entire weekend. Scores can be found on the OBCC facebook page.</span></p>
<p><span>Novice classes were held in the morning on the training field. John Palmer judged the Ranch/Nursery class. The first ranch runs showed that the dogs had to be right: too pushy or not pushy enough, the sheep would split. We saw some great runs from the young nursery dogs. On Saturday and Sunday, Marilyn Terpstra with Euchre won the nursery class.</span></p>
<p><span>Pro novice was next with Patrick Gosselin as our judge. The great runs continued with excellent out work and driving. Saturday, there was a tie for first place between Mary Thompson with Rain and Marilyn Terpstra with Euchre so to break the tie they ran the outwork. Both dogs again were almost perfect but Mary Thompson was first, then Marilyn and in 3rd Kelly Morrow with Ginny. Sunday, the excellent runs continued. But there was a casualty - the pen gate. The repair crew of Pamela Hall, Kelly Morrow, Judge Patrick and Victoria Lamont were quick with the repair. Sunday winners were Viki Kidd with Townes, Marilyn with Euchre and Pamela Hall with Fenn.</span></p>
<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/eeab18783afc523e3498e49c6a6d169bc1c7eb5a/original/img-0430.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Mary Thompson judged one of the largest Nov/Nov classes for OBCC with 20 dogs. Saturday, I was working the pens so got to see the runs from the top. Handlers did an excellent job and it was nice to see them leave the post when their dog needed help. Top 3 runs were Mike Rember with Nan, James Shaw with Brier and Maureen Gibbons with Finn. Before Sunday’s runs, judge Mary reminded handlers that the drive score was based on the position of the sheep, not dog or handler. Great advice and scores reflected it. Mike Rember with Nan was first again, followed by Rachel Duncan with Buck and Felicia Pynes with Cove.</span></p>
<p><span>After a short lunch break, the sheep were moved to the big hay field for the Open class with judge Cynthia Palmer. The rolling hills and long grass made it challenging for many of the dogs. If your dog went wide, you lost sight of your dog and the dog lost sight of the sheep, speaking from experience. The late afternoon rain kept the temperature down. We saw some near perfect runs with Tracy with Lad, John Palmer with Mara and Kevan Gretton with Cash were the top three. For Sunday’s runs, set out was moved so it was easier for the dogs to see the sheep on their outrun. However, strangely, there were “dead” zones in the field making it difficult for the dogs to hear whistles or voice commands, the worst being at the cross drive panels. But teams stepped up to the challenge. John Palmer with Mara, Tracy Hinton with Lad and Marilyn Terpstra with Olive were the top three winners.</span></p>
<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/0dd36aa9e3de758dd3a0b3ca04ea66f9ffb5f783/original/img-0431.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />With rain on Saturday evening, Victoria and John graciously moved the pot luck into their home. John manned the barbecue. Salads and desserts this year were exceptional. Saturday prizes given out were beautiful custom Handy Dog leashes and novice first place embroidered blanket. Overall winners, NN Mike Rember with Nan, PN Marilyn Terpstra with Euchre and Open Tracy Hinton with Lad also received a coveted blanket.</span></p>
<p><span>Thank you to all the volunteers who helped in the pens, setting, scribing and exhausting as well as those who helped before and after the trial. It truly does take a village. And of course a huge thank you to Victoria, Viki and John for hosting another excellent trial. See you next year.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><div dir="ltr"><div>
<i>*Photo credit to Sue Moore and Anne Wheatley</i><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/3f03f950cfcb75babc9f7c8cb71821642f778f3a/original/kevanbud.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></div></div></div>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72367182023-07-05T09:00:00-04:002023-07-05T09:00:03-04:00The Border Collie Quebec Association and the Passion of its Members <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">By Annie-Claude Laniel</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">For those who do not know the Border Collie Quebec Association, this is a little news update on herding in Eastern Canada. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">The ABCQ was founded in 2017 and now has, in 2023, 70 members and presented, last January, during its AGM, a great calendar of activities (clinics and competitions). Clinics were organized by the association from the first years but this season is very special since we will have our first sanctioned competition. This Novice-Novice, Pro-Novice and Ranch level competition will take place on August 26 and 27 in Dosquet, Qc. This competition is the culmination of several hours of meetings, work and organization. The ABCQ is fortunate to be able to count on the dedication and passion of many of its members and we thank them! </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">The big Sisters </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">In addition to its members, the ABCQ also benefited from the help of its “big sister” associations, the OBCC and NEBCA. When a child plays a sport, it is not uncommon to see him or her watching videos of his/her favorite player, identifying with their hero and without even knowing it, this experienced player becomes a source of inspiration for the beginner. It's the same for us as handlers. We admire experienced handlers and try to learn from them. The ABCQ did the same with the OBCC and NEBCA. During the creation of the Quebec association, the OBCC and NEBCA made it possible to offer quality models. The clinics offered and the competitions have inspired us and led us to surpass ourselves. One day the ABCQ will perhaps play this role of big sister with another association… you never know. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Upcoming projects</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">In addition to our first official competition in August, we will have a clinic with Mary Thompson on July 29 and 30. A two-day clinic with Day 1 theme <i>Wear to Win</i> and Day 2 theme <i>Drive for Success</i>. Thanks to Mary for these catchy titles! We are lucky to work this year with very good handlers who are also very generous and we hope to be able to do it again next year! You can read in a previous edition of the blog a summary of our first clinic of the year with Patrick Gosselin. Also, stay tuned, we will give you a report of our competition in August! Have a good season! </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/6afece7c9dd31aa542a0ae5d08d0412b51e49d64/original/img-0360.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" />ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/72220292023-06-16T09:00:00-04:002023-06-16T09:00:06-04:00Herding Activity in Quebec<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto">By Dave Young</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:right;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">Dave Young and Mia - <i>Photo credit Kate Davidson </i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto">
<div dir="auto"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/dedeecffa0edbf2a01c1da6ec19ed0a41aba72e0/original/image000000.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />It has always amazed me how over the 30+ years of running dogs, the cycle of new hands comes around. Just about the time we wonder who will be fit enough to spot sheep or push me to the post in my wheel chair, there's a new influx of eager hands. Over the past few years Quebec has helped fill that void. </div>
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<div dir="auto">I am proud of the keen interest here. At the moment there is close to 15 new hands. Several you already know from their open and novice class runs. Just recently the fairly new organization, ABCQ, held a fun trial near Quebec city. I was not there but it sure looked like a class event from the videos I saw. There will be a formal NN and PN judged trial at that site in late August.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I suppose that, as it is in all regions, the availability of land to have training facilities is one of the biggest problems facing these new hands. They need a place where they can go on a regular basis. </div>
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<div dir="auto">A few of us in the province are trying to help by giving lessons or renting our sheep and land. My hat is off to those who put in the millage. </div>
<div dir="auto">I can say with confidence that handlers from the province of Quebec will be well entrenched in the trialing world for years to come.</div>
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<div dir="auto"><strong>Meet longtime OBCC member Dave Young</strong></div>
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<div dir="auto"><i>My first NN trial was in July 1990. I was hooked in the fall before and have never really looked back. We were fortunate enough to have land available and were able to buy a small, 48 acre farm.</i></div>
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<div dir="auto"><i>I can't quite remember the exact year we held our first trial but it was somewhere around '93. It moved twice before getting a foothold at Bishops University. There, under the conference department, we negotiated a contract that allowed us the aid of the B&G department. This helped with getting the city of Sherbrooke involved. A huge help. Cash, labour and advertising took so much pressure off us. We had over the years many great judges. We filled our dog limit every year. After my retirement from BU in 2009, we may have run one trial. The University was in a huge growth spurt and there is an expansion to the sports complex and a parking lot where that trial was held. </i></div>
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<div dir="auto"><i>If there was a hole left by the cancellation of our trial, the Kingston trial - for as many years as we have been going - has filled the gap. It is without a doubt the best trial I have ever been to. My antics may seem, shall we say, a bit odd, but they are all in my way of showing appreciation.</i></div>
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<div dir="auto"><i>The last couple of years has put a dent in all of our travels. Slowly, I believe, with the right dogs we will roll again.</i></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/a068b8dff6ede783573f409fe3948c14abac1ced/original/16dc18c9-0f74-4b79-b9fa-bd93ce109e9e.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">The Mountie, seen at the Kingston trial, built by Dave. </span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"><i>Photo credit Dave Young</i></span></p>
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</div>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71786922023-04-04T09:00:00-04:002024-03-13T21:24:33-04:00Winter Training in Florida - 2023<p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">By Patrick Gosselin</span></p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/6d09b53912ce13d8563abc054ec8e2f9875110e3/original/training-field.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><p>I have taken the habit of reflecting over the winter on what I could add or change to my current training in order to better myself. Some of these decisions were pretty obvious like buying a farm with livestock, entering trials and clinics. Others, not so much, like the number of dogs, the size of the farm and flock, the amount of training, the right mentor, etc... Sometimes, I have to make things happen and other times, opportunities just fall into place. Over the years, keeping the good ideas and staying away from the bad ones shapes what works for me considering my family, my dogs, my objectives, my finances, my time and all the other factors that come into play. <br><br>My big decision for 2023, besides getting a pup, was to extend my season by training south of the border just before I normally start back home. I am lucky enough to have a friend that uses my facilities during the summer and just happens to have acreage and a flock of sheep in Florida. We talked about it and plans were made to work our dogs the first two weeks of March at her place in Williston. I opted for training versus trialing, convinced I would get more out of my trip.</p><p> </p><p>And so it was that on March 4th, after shoveling for 2 hours in Spencerville, my wife, my dogs Drew, Kina and 9 week old Sage started the 20 hour drive in our Rav4. We stopped every 2 hours or so to let the dogs out and change drivers making it to Maryland the first night, Florence the next and finally to our destination on the third day. Williston is a beautiful small town with many breathtaking equestrian farms. It has all the basics such as groceries, gas stations and restaurants, and people are pretty friendly. We found a little affordable cottage not too far from the farm.</p><p>The first week, my wife biked while I worked dogs in the morning, we visited the area in the afternoon and I caught up on work in the evening. Veronique flew back after 5 days and the routine changed to working dogs in the morning, on-line work in the afternoon and more training in the evening. Weather was perfect. It is possible to train the dogs in low twenties temperatures if you time it right. It was awesome to learn and share lengthy discussions on best practices with my host, she is a great person and has so much wisdom on dogs and life. The whole experience was very humbling, there was a drill to expose all my faults but also one to help me improve if I was willing to put in the work. I consider myself hard working but let’s just say that my definition of the dedication it takes to be a top handler has changed dramatically during this trip. There’s a reason why there’s only a handful of handlers winning all the time…</p><p>The ride back home was long, being the only driver on a 2000 km drive with a pup (Sage), a female in heat (Kina) and an intact male (Drew) in a small SUV but it was worth it. Amongst the yearly decisions I have made over the years, training in Florida during winter with my mentor is definitely one that I plan to repeat.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/531d3215c1c5ab97bf9332960b8e4b6ca006caed/original/alligator2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /><p> </p><p>Avoid at all costs in Florida!</p><p> </p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credits to Patrick Grosselin</i></span></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71786782023-03-28T09:00:00-04:002023-03-28T09:00:01-04:00Arena Days - February and March 2023<p>By Anne Wheatley</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/4d094f5ed3c2304122d41085034212ffbbd8a4cc/original/kk.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Happiness they say is directly related to expectations, and after the surprise dog working weather we had earlier this winter I must have stupidly expected more, along with the ability to work dogs outside again before spring. But the snow and cold descended after that thaw and it all stayed. I was not happy. So when Kim Gretton announced on the club fb page that there would be a fun day at a big arena near Fenelon Falls on Feb 19th and again on March 25th I was ready for some happiness. <br><br>Ian Talbot made the arena available. Ian and Kevan Gretton supplied the yearling ewes - light and speedy they were. Kim Adie took entries. A course was set up and each team was given 3 minutes to work the course or do schooling work. Each handler got 2 runs in the morning and one in the afternoon for their entry fee. On Feb 19th I signed up and ran 2 dogs for two entry fees, (Dan and Oak, 3 runs each). On the 25th I added young Rye to the group and ran Dan and Oak and Rye twice each. The hosts were flexible that way. There were probably about 15 handlers there both days. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/24c226dd34a08e4b4c6167aa37edb7a24db8b753/original/img-1725.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />These Arena fun days were less focused on competition than the ones we’ve attended in the past. In fact I don’t even know which team had the best runs on the course. I know that I was mostly focused on schooling my dogs. We did some nice work in the corners, pushing the sheep in when they didn’t want to go, going around and pulling them out, pushing them in again - doing small flanks that squirted them out, then encouraging the dogs to cover and catch them. The dogs loved it!<br><br>Winter is long and this winter I heard was the darkest in 80 years. These Arena fun days shone some light on my mood. I expected to enjoy them and I did!<br><br>Thanks to Ian Talbot, Kim Adie, Kevan and Kim Gretton for their parts in making them happen. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c3b4399e57da44e65897b7a9387e9f9c1922841c/original/img-1728.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*All photo credit to Anne Wheatley</i></span></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71722832023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Indian River Novice Day - 2022<p>By Lynn Johnston </p><p>Sunday dawned crisp and cool but soon turned into another glorious fall day. Mostly sunshine, no harsh wind and perfect herding temperatures. How lucky we were to experience such wonderful fall weather so late in the season. </p><p>The sheep continued to pull hard to the barn/exhaust side. On day 3 of a trial, who can blame them! It almost looked like a few wise ewes had figured out that if they just went in the pen, the dog would leave them alone, but otherwise, they were tough to pen. And the pressure to turn back from the far side of the cross drive stymied many a dog. A truly great learning experience for many a dog and handler.</p><p>As with the Shepherds‘ Crook trial, these novice classes were large. It was wonderful to see a group of new young faces - this will save the sport! The chatter and camaraderie were heartwarming. A great time was had by all.</p><p>Handlers’ dinner, prepared once again by Sharalea and Movin, was a culinary journey to Greece with a side trip of lamb curry. Delicious! </p><p>Eamon Connell did an excellent job judging - fair and consistent throughout the long day. We thank Cynthia and John for bringing him to us.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/1c70fdea0db22baf8b20f77c5f1dce73e426c1ec/original/image-3.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="*Photo credit François Leblanc" />Cynthia made sure we acknowledged Hallowe’en in high fashion, as a number of folks appeared in costume at the lunch break. So fun…Kim Russell even went to the post fully disguised - not sure what the sheep thought of that! </p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit François Leblanc</i></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/8fa5a5feae7bb938cf06b1d281c8dd2feb68d2b4/original/image-4.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Pamela was awarded best costume - she had a lot of help from Fen and Journey (haha). </p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit François Leblanc</i></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The top 3 teams in each class were awarded handmade personal items called Forage by Lorelei Lapp. Thanks to Helen Knibb for sourcing those. And thanks to all who worked so tirelessly to make sure this trial ran smoothly from start to finish. It’s so much work behind the scenes.</p><p>Thanks Cynthia and John!</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/4f142790291612312eea8a6e4ce4d70b0f681d43/original/image-5.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit Anne Wheatley</i></span></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71722802023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Jimmie's Farm Trial - 2022<p>By Florentine Maathuis</p><p>When you go to Jimmie’s Farm, you know you're in for an eventful day. It all starts innocently with the beautiful drive down Hart Gravel Road, which in the fall is a meandering ride surrounded by all possible varieties of yellow, orange and red embracing you like a colorful and cozy blanket, instantly craving everything pumpkin. </p><p>Next on the list of events is the entrance to the farm, which starts with quite a steep downhill ramp. My first ever OBCC trial was at Janet's place and was held the day after the first snowstorm of that year. Most cars, including ours, had not been changed to winter tires yet. In the morning on our way to the trial we actually landed in a ditch, missing a post box by a few inches. I remember many cars having problems with the ramp that year, turning the driveway into a skating rink. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/c70dd74cfec5a48dff39ac49b7f08a95bb6742aa/original/image-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>Luckily there wasn’t a snowstorm in sight this year and both the driveway and path to the Parking were impeccable, freshly graveled, one less hurdle for the handlers to tackle. Thus far the day was going smoothly. </p><p>But it wouldn't have been Jimmie's Farm trial without some challenge: Mother Nature presented us with a whole day of rain and wind. But Janet’s promise to give us an eventful day didn’t stop there. She decided the Novice teams were up for an extra challenge and thus included some lambs for us to guide through the course. </p><p>The sheep played fair if the dog played fair, but it being a Novice Day, the handlers’ tent did get the occasional visit from a lost lamb. The people and dogs both at the set-out and the exhaust had to work hard to pick up sheep left and right and from the Parking lot. </p><p>Janet truly gave her all. Sick with Bronchitis she was out and about all day in the rain and had to withdraw from next days’ trial at Celeste Lacroix’ place because of it. </p><p>Thank you, Janet, for organizing a Novice Day, knowing that it contributes to extra stress, but we are all very grateful you did. With 14 Novice runs and 15 pro Novice runs there is a big group eager to get into this sport. Congratulations to Lisa and Robbie for entering their first trial in Novice-Novice and killing it. Well deserved first place!</p><p>A Word from Janet: <br>“The trial ended up to be a big challenge this year, with me getting very sick with Bronchitis. I had wanted to thank all my helpers at the beginning of the day but ended up having to run off to help coax my reluctant sheep into the set out. I have to thank my biggest helpers--Lorna, and my husband Howard, who had both slaved away fine tuning the course during the week while I was bedridden. And several others stepped up to the plate, notably Joanne Murphy, who volunteered to do the scoring paperwork (before I even asked!), Louise Hadley, who organized the set out, Rebecca Lawrence, who organized the scribes and results paperwork, and Anne Wheatley, who stepped in everywhere she saw a need. Werner was also a great help at set out through the day, braving the wet weather to help keep the packets of sheep coming in a timely manner. I know trial managers often say, 'It couldn't have happened without help'...well this trial would definitely not have happened without help, both before and during the trial. We have a great community of handlers willing to help--definitely a group effort!”</p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/b50fb6fd2cb451ba1dee045920f083f571904904/original/image-4.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Carol and Bruce at the pen </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-small"><i>*all photos by Florentine Maathuis</i></span></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71722792023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Kingston Sheepdog Trial - 2022<p>By Celeste Lacroix</p><p>For many sheepdog herding enthusiasts, the trialing points year goes from August 1 - July 31 as per the USBCHA calendar. In Ontario, the Kingston Sheepdog Trial usually starts off that new trialing season. </p><p>This year the event was held Aug 3 – 7. The competition includes two individual 2 day open trials (110+ handlers each trial, 55 each day) followed by the finals of a double lift on Sunday with the top 15 cumulative scores over the 2 trials. Handlers from across Canada and the USA gather at this prestigious event that is always well attended by both handlers and spectators. Grass Creek Park in Kingston provides a picturesque setting with a slowly sloping hill, trees and the St Lawrence River. Dave Young sets the bar higher each year by adding a new Canadian decoration to the field setup. </p><p>The event is particularly spectator and family friendly with concession stands, other dog events, many specialty shopping opportunities and a mostly treed viewing vantage point to watch the sheepdog trial. The Waupoos sheep are brought in from nearby Prince Edward County and are well known for being challenging! More like range sheep, they are not your average farm flock. </p><p>Handlers seemed to be a bit giddy this year, ready to get back to their favorite activity after having spent 2 years in isolation with limited sheepdog trials available. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/eea245cd5c1184e1833e4a160a62b2aa528590bc/original/image-1.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Younger dogs who had not had the chance to stretch out their skills during the pandemic period were particularly challenged by this trial. Mother nature tested all by providing a heat wave in southern Ontario, the hottest day being the double lift finals on Sunday. Morning runs seemed to give a small advantage of coolness while the later runs of the day often suffered in higher heats and sheep who wanted to graze in the shade. Handlers were respectful of their dogs and the sheep limitations and often chose to retire rather than push too far. At the end of the tally, there seemed to be as many RT/DQ as there were numerical scores. </p><p><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo credit Kris Kiviaho</i></span><i> </i></p><p>Congratulations to all handlers who challenged themselves and demonstrated incredible working skills and sportsmanship with their dogs and livestock. </p><p>Open 1 top places were</p><ol>
<li>Mary Ann Duffy & Gwen (80)</li>
<li>Cy Peterson & Tory (78)</li>
<li>Mary Ann Duffy & Jean (71) </li>
</ol><p>Open 2 top places were </p><ol>
<li>Sue Schoen & Cora (82)</li>
<li>Amanda Milliken & Tui (80)</li>
<li>Christine Koval & Jim (78)</li>
</ol><p>The double lift final top places were</p><ol>
<li>Mary Minor & Hazel (243)</li>
<li>Mary Ann Duffy & Gwen (234)</li>
<li>Barbara Ray & Dan (233) </li>
</ol><p>As always, these events take a small village to coordinate, and the Grass Creek Sheepdog Trial is no exception. The judges this year were from Scotland, Neil McVicar and Andrew Carnegie who did an exceptional job of trying to be fair to sheep, handlers and dogs. The village comprises Amanda Milliken, Sandra Massie, Susan Schoen, Michele Ferraro, Karen Curtis, Dave Young, Mike Crellian, Werner Reitboeck, Sally Molloy, Heather Nadelman, Rebecca Lawrence, Sheila Deane and so many more. The set-outs were exceptionally difficult with the sheep and the heat but so many handlers stepped up to provide every run with an equal chance of success. My apologies for forgetting anyone but it really is the outstanding effort by all that makes this such a wonderful event. Thank You All! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/e3ec3199918eb9632d61a72c5392efeecf24199a/original/image-2.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71722782023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Handy Dog Summer Trial - 2022<p>Two OBCC members submitted reports from the Handy Dog Summer Trial, July 9 and 10, 2022.</p><p><strong>By Daniel Turcotte</strong></p><p>I had the privilege of participating in the Herding competition organized by the OBCC (editor’s note: Victoria Lamont and Viki Kidd hosted and organized the trial, OBCC sanctioned and supported it) by an extraordinarily dedicated team and which went to perfection. This experienced team orchestrated everything so that all the handlers could participate in a state of trust with the dogs and the sheep.</p><p>What about the volunteer participants who demonstrated exceptional mutual aid. Everyone was able to bring their personal touch so that the activity went smoothly. The owners have thought of all the little details for all participants. The pot luck was fantastic which added a remarkable touch to the superb day on Saturday. This evening allowed us to fraternize with our colleagues in a festive atmosphere. </p><p>The fact of creating links with the participants, makes us know and appreciate this sport while taking valuable advice from the most experienced in this field. The small details were taken into account and the choice of rewards was of very good quality. Personally I was very satisfied and I thank the OBCC greatly for allowing Denver and me to develop in herding and to cross, year after year, the stages to go even further. </p><p>In closing, I would like to participate more in the wonderful meetings with fans of a magnificent country that fills us with beautiful farms with passionate people for one of the most rewarding sports to practice with our precious work companions, the herding dog.</p><p><strong>By Sheila McMillan</strong></p><p>On July 9th and 10th, 2022 my dog Hutch and I attended the Handy Dog Summer Sheep Dog Trial. Hutch is 4 years old and has been with me since October 2020. He had prior sheep herding training while living on a farm in Utah. I had no prior sheep herding training but spent many an hour watching sheep herding. Unfortunately for me being a spectator did not translate into being able to give a border collie commands that he takes seriously! We live in the city and our sheep experience and training comes from hours spent with Viki Kidd, who patiently explains and re-explains what I need to learn. The more that I come to understand, the more I realize how little I know. Viki has told me that when I have had 10 years and 3 dogs, it will be easier…</p><p>Hutch and I participated in the Novice/Novice Group. My friends have appropriately named it the “Nervous/Nervous” group. I did lots of deep breathing, re-focussing and visualizing of Hutch stopping when I shout “stand!”. Standing at a city street corner when I shout “stand” is not really very difficult when compared to having to stand when the sheep are running. We received a great deal of support from fellow handlers who shared their tips and encouragement.</p><p>Saturday’s run was exceptional for Hutch and me as we successfully completed the course and penned our sheep. It was amazing to me! We were finally working together! Hutch followed ”Stand!” and each command after. It was very exciting. On Sunday, I did not have the confidence and firmness in my commands and he did not listen but took over. Afterwards, my spouse and other handlers provided emotional support along with encouragement to continue trying. It certainly is a bumpy road with lots of ups and downs.</p><p>Both Saturday and Sunday were ideal weather days, being sunny and not extremely hot. The field was nicely cut and everything was set up when we arrived. Viki Kidd’s sheep were in their places and participated well on both days. Sometimes they seemed happy to go into the pen, other times they just did not want to stay together. Victoria Lamont and the volunteer team that did all the set up are truly to be commended for their preparation and for ensuring that everything worked smoothly and efficiently. Volunteers for the sheep management and scribing did their tasks very well. Our Judge, Lorna Savage, was very professional in her duties and helpful with advice. The days started promptly at 7:00 am as planned. When things needed changing between Trial groups, volunteers stepped in. When a shade tent needed to be put up, handlers jumped in and completed this quickly. It seemed like everyone came with a plan to pitch in and ensure the days were great, and they were! On Saturday night we had a wonderful Potluck dinner with main course prepared by John Staube, who is to be commended for having lots of burgers and sausages ready for the crowd. As usual the food was great with everyone bringing lots to share.</p><p>It’s nice to be a member of OBCC. The group is friendly and supportive. The handlers attending Handy Dog for this Trial came from Michigan, New York, Quebec and Ontario. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and talk about their experiences with sheep herding. Trial days are competitive but jovial. Everyone wants to do their best and is encouraging of others to do their best, although it is nice to get a good score or even win! I learned a lot at the Trial and I have a lot more to learn. I am hoping that Hutch and I have lots more years together to participate in sheep herding. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/a17af95034d96a5ab298df6adc5ca16e9dd635f3/original/hd-2022-bazbud.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>Handy Dog pond - photo credit Carol Guy</i></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71721492023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Butternut Creek - 2021 "Trial Conversations"<p>A fun perspective from some of the novice handlers who were at the November 12, 2021 Butternut Creek trial. All comments from the sheepdog’s point of view!</p><p><strong>Genevieve Pronovost's Nora</strong> came from Quebec City to participate and had this to say:</p><p>November 12, 2021 will be etched in my memory, because I participated in my first Novice-Novice trial at Butternut Creek. Despite the cold, the rain and the mud, nothing was going to stop me, I was very anxious to go on the trial field of the big ones and to show my handler that I was able to do a good job! I was a little nervous when I got to the post, but managed to control myself well even though I was shaking with excitement. When I heard my command "away" I went like an arrow and it was the best 5 minutes of my 2021 season.</p><p>I was very impressed by the beautiful large field, the warm atmosphere and the sheep which were perfect for me, fast and not too confrontational. I loved running in the water and the mud, my human mom was less fond of seeing the condition of the car inside at the end of the day hehehe.</p><p>Even though it was my first trial, I think I made my handler very proud, I even received 2 beautiful ribbons for my work! The only thing I liked less was when she hung them around my neck when I got home and asked me to be quiet for the photo. Do your parents do this with you too?</p><p>I can't wait to see you again in 2022!</p><p><strong>Tania Costa's Ben</strong> had this to say about his day out at Butternut Creek:<br>-Mom, I don’t want to lie down the sheep are running banshees<br>-why does my Mom yell “lie down” so much, it hurts my ears!<br>-I am loving this mud, I love getting really dirty<br>-Why are we getting up so darn early in the rain<br>-I love my girlfriends Journey and Fen, we like to play a lot<br>-I wish my Mom would learn which flanks I need so don’t have to figure it out (cause I am smarter than her)<br>-Why does my mom care about winning, I just love playing sheep and learning along the way</p><p><strong>Mary Dedom's Sadie</strong> had a few questions too!</p><p>This a very different trial. My friend and frisbee playmate Alfa is here watching. He's never come before. What's up? Is there going to be a frisbee flying out on the way to the sheep? I love my handler Mary but when he's around, Alfa takes precedence.</p><p><strong>Sheila Deane's dogs Zola and Jill</strong> shared this exchange:</p><p>Zola: How did your run go Jill dear?</p><p>Jill: I think it was perfect Zola! I raced down the field and got those sheep gathered up and although I had to circle them a few times I managed to keep them all together with that tall man and his dog. </p><p>Zola: Uh, oh. Um, where was Sheila during all this?</p><p>Jill: Well at the start she was at the other end of the field shouting something, but eventually she ran down and got in on the action too. We were brilliant and marched off the field in triumph! Do you think we'll get a ribbon?</p><p>Zola: Of course dear Jill, and if not, the judge is blind.</p><p><strong>Pamela Hall's Fen</strong> shows remarkable wisdom in her sum-up:</p><p>- it was a very nasty set morning to be out competing, but we weren't bred to be fair weather herders.<br>- the competition teams that came from Quebec were tough, so I really had to pick up my game. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/613576e87311dc20ea97d1ea2bc6449c2472f90b/original/image.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><p style="text-align:center;"><i><span lang="EN-US">*Photo Credit François Leblanc</span></i><span> </span></p></div>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71721472023-03-19T09:00:00-04:002023-03-19T09:00:02-04:00Jimmie's Open Trial - October 2021<p>By Lorna Savage </p><p> </p><p>Well, certainly a hard year for managers to schedule trials with Covid rules, conflicts etc but finally - after a date selected, then cancelled, then new one chosen, moved again and finally settling into a one-day Open trial with two runs back-to-back - the very first open trial for Jimmies Farm happened! Yes, there had been Novice trials in previous years, but this was the first Open. </p><p>The week before Janet, Carol and I set out to ready the field, panels were already temporarily in place after deciding what end of the field the post would be. East was flatter and better for shed and pen but would be a very small drive, a steep drop-off being a problem that would make the cross drive very small, so the west end was chosen that also gave a much better sight line for the Judge. This was a relief for Janet since the spanking new handling system could now stay where it was. </p><p> The three of us spent our day building the exhaust pen (thank goodness for post pounders and fencing pliers). It took a few hours but we were satisfied. We then finalized and staked the panels and proceeded down to turn the set out to face out into the field. Thankfully Howard showed up to assist, then electro net was strung to block possible errant sheep, the set out cone was placed and then instead of deciding to take apart the frame of the tent - a real pain since it was all in with screws - we succeeded in wrangling it to straddle the roof of the RTV with both Carol and I at a front overhanging corner and Howard holding up the back end some 20 feet behind. We walked slowly with Janet driving and managed to get it to the other end of the field without incident. Wish we had a picture of that! We called it quits then but later in the week did the few last minute things of tarping the tent and measuring out the shedding ring. All set for the day. <br> <br>It had been wet before the trial and again after the trial but we lucked out on the day, cool and a bit breezy but the sun was out and it was a great day for running dogs. Because of the rain earlier the parking was a field away, the closer one was just too wet to have vehicles drive on, bit of a hike but I have seen further. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/64253/6c38dbdb782cefb546f2e2d640d0f1adcf15bdf5/original/fd8253f8-3c28-42b1-b3fd-62b78fde30f3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-small"><i>*Photo Credit to Kris Kivaho</i></span></p><p>The field itself was being used for a trial for the first time. It's the very back hayfield that is actually two smaller fields with trees and brush dividing them. This made about a 275 ft outrun but the terrain was what made it more difficult. The left was wide open at the end, a good opening in the middle and a road cut through the brush to the right. Either outrun would work, but most sent left the first day, much deeper and open but a surprise at the other end as the sheep would be out of sight and some dogs got a surprise coming up the rise and finding themselves in front of the sheep. The right would be a bit trickier, tighter and the dog could be drawn in if he did not hit the road way through. </p><p>The field dropped off on both sides from the post, a long slope to the first drive panel. For the person walking the course in the morning, a post had been placed on line on the top of the hill in the cross drive. You could not see the cross panels from the first, of course it was removed before the first dog. The second day the set out was moved over for a dog leg giving more room for dogs to go right. The Scotties worked well like Scotties do - stay in control of them and they worked great but give them any other option and they would take it, which they did on some fetches or they would take advantage and head down the hill towards home on the front side of the trees and brush with the dog running down on the other side to come around and stop them. Again Scotties - if you were right at the pen they would go in, shedding a bit more difficult but doable. </p><p> In the end very few did not finish with a score and there were some very good runs. Not a ton of dogs running that day - 19 each round - but so many people had obligations that weekend, what with puppies, family, etc, but to me it is not the number of dogs you are running against that makes the winner it is the score you have achieved. In all the trial was a success but makes me think with so many having scores - was it too easy - NO I think not. But then again there is always a way to make a trial more challenging... </p><p>Congratulations to Janet and Howard for a successful first open trial and thanks to the set out crew and scribes and those posting scores, great day, great company. </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71488632023-02-18T09:00:00-05:002023-02-18T09:00:01-05:002022 Honourary Member - Lorna Savage<p>At the 2022 Annual General Meeting three Honourary Members were inducted into the club. These Members were recognized for their outstanding long-time contribution to the sheepdog world in general and the Ontario Border Collie Club in particular. </p>
<p>This article introduces our new members to one of these exceptional members. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lorna Savage </strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/ab8af6ea8d534963ade364dc2194e1d4a66834bb/original/lorna-honary.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_thin" alt="" /></strong></p>
<p>I purchased my first Border Collie Spin from Ivan Weir as a puppy in the summer of 1991. I got started in training with JP Lalonde of Sydenham, ON and after a month of training at 13 months old and only knowing how to wear and stop with some basic flanking, I was coerced by JP into set out for the open at the Navin SDT. Reluctantly we did it but I was shaking in my boots but it went off without a hitch, thank goodness. That was 1992 and in the fall we attempted out first trial, well not much to say about it. LOL </p>
<p>In 1993 I was full-fledged into my novice year and loved traveling and meeting handlers and watching the open dogs, just amazing. It was a very successful year for a novice - OBCC Novice Champion, Pennsylvania Novice Champion - always placing as first or second. </p>
<p>1994 we started our Pro Novice year and did a few trials, notably a successful run off at Hop Bottom SDT with Vergil Holland and Mike Canady. I laughingly remember hearing Mike say to Vergil “who do you think won?” and Vergil’s reply “That girl” LOL. We did a few more good PN runs, then went to Mike Canady’s trial and won the PN so went into Ranch and won that too. So we came home and decided okay, just go for it and jump to Open. </p>
<p>First open run was Sheep Focus at the Napanee Fairgrounds and we placed first. By then I was addicted to the game. I bred Spin and kept a red female pup who turned out to be the most stubborn, hard headed dog I had ever seen and though we made it to open it was always hard and stressful to run her. She was the first dog I ever sold and it was a hard thing to do. </p>
<p>Next came Dot - her purchase price turned out to be the exact amount I won with Spin at a Sheep Focus trial in Markham. Ivan was there and had said I have a pup for you…I really hesitated but turned out one of the best things I ever did. From a very shy tiny pup she went on to be a great beautiful open dog, small but tough. She was Spin’s half sister and she made me fall in love with prick ears… Dot became well known and we had a great many successes in her career. </p>
<p>From then to now I have had 17 Border Collies not to mention a few litters. Ten of those dogs I trained up and competed in Open, two I competed successfully in ProNovice but I just did not think would be competitive in Open (they spend their life with me). Two I sold on as not compatible with me, 2 passed on and one I currently have in training as a year old. </p>
<p>I have had some great dogs, and I actually consider myself blessed with the dogs I have owned. Most of these dogs have passed on now but Tyler, with whom I have gone the furthest, is still demanding to be with the sheep at over 14. Dogs people will remember: Spin, Dot, Twist, Spur, Brock, Trace, Zoe, Kaylee, Ace, Spy. </p>
<p>Through those years I have been a member of: </p>
<ul> <li>OBCC as secretary/treasurer for many years LOL, when the membership information was a little black book with names and addresses, and going to meetings meant toting boxes and scribbling down minutes hoping not to miss anything. I also spent many years off and on the Trials Committee and am currently on the L & D Committee </li> <li>CBCA from the start as a lifetime member, served on the Board for a number of years as a director, and as President </li> <li>NEBCA - member, once on the Trials Committee </li> <li>USBCA - member </li>
</ul>
<p>At the end of 2018 I quit competing in Open. I lost most of my ability to whistle with a medical problem. I guess not having trials going through our Covid years helped a bit to get over that and I also stayed with the trials doing some set out with Ace. But now maybe I will try at least in PN and some Nursery trials with my young dog Jackson, a Teagan / Bud son, to see how it goes. </p>
<p>Over the span of years, I traveled to British Columbia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia and I think every state in the North East and of course all over Ontario and attended 8 National Finals. </p>
<p>Some accomplishments were: </p>
<ul> <li>OBCC Novice Champion </li> <li>OBCC Pro Novice Reserve multi </li> <li>OBCC Open Champion </li> <li>OBCC Reserve Open Champion </li> <li>CBCA Nursery Champion </li> <li>Highest Pointed Dog in the USBCHA obtaining an invite to Soldier Hollow </li> <li>Double Lift Kentucky Blue Grass </li> <li>Double Lift Kingston Sheep Dog Trials multi </li> <li>NEBCA Fall Foliage Champion multi </li> <li>Shepherd’s Crook Open Champion </li> <li>Heritage Village Open Champion </li> <li>Judged various trials since 2007 </li>
</ul>
<p>What makes me the proudest is the fact that every one of my dogs was raised from a puppy or bred by me and trained by me. That is what gives me a feeling of accomplishment.</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71488662023-02-11T09:00:00-05:002023-02-11T09:00:02-05:002022 Honourary Member - Michelle Lawrence<p>At the 2022 Annual General Meeting three Honourary Members were inducted into the club. These Members were recognized for their outstanding long-time contribution to the sheepdog world in general and the Ontario Border Collie Club in particular. </p>
<p>This article introduces our new members to one of these exceptional members.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Michelle Lawrence</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/adf81b12f12b00263c8d40990f4b374dd3d7d161/original/michelle-honary.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_thin" alt="" /><em><span class="font_small">Photo by Rebecca Lawrence</span></em></strong></p>
<p>My great-grandparents had sheep on their family farm in the Elginburg area; (just north of Kingston); my great-uncle continued raising sheep on that farm until he passed away in 2000. Visiting farming relatives and seeing sheep and other livestock are lifelong memories for me. My aunt (whose farm was only a few miles away from the family homestead) also was a sheep farmer for several decades. Through her, we were introduced to the border collie breed, and I fell in love with them for their athleticism, intelligence and working ability. I am fascinated by seeing a good farm dog working in concert with the shepherd in handling stock. </p>
<p>At my aunt's urging, we went to our first trial at Amanda Millken's farm in the late 1980's and became hooked on watching trials. From then on, our summer family vacations were planned around the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials. When we could, we also would go see trials at Amanda's and J.P. Lalonde's farms. </p>
<p>We originally became members of the OBCC in the early 1990's, after getting our first border collie from Les Brown (who used to do shearing demonstrations at Kingston Sheep Dog Trials). Her bloodlines led back to Alf Kyme's breeding. Our next three border collies all came from Ivan Weir, who was an active handler, trainer and trialer in Canada and the US. </p>
<p>City life and job obligations meant that we couldn't be more actively involved in the sheepdog world other than being avid spectators who took the occasional photo or video. In 2013, when my husband, Bruce, gifted me a new camera for my birthday, I couldn't help but turn my lenses to the dogs. </p>
<p>Life circumstances changed by the time border collie number five entered our lives. Our daughter wanted to learn to handle and trial a sheep dog, so I suggested she try learning with our pet Key (a 1 ½ year old young bitch we got from Lorna Savage). Trials became an even bigger part of our family life. A few more border collies were welcomed into our home, along with a truck and trailer, more cameras, and lenses. It is a slippery slope. </p>
<p>I got involved with the OBCC newsletter when I was approached by the editors for a cover photo. This led to pictorial essays, layout designing and eventually being editor for the last three of my seven-year commitment. </p>
<p>During this time, I also got involved in other projects in the sheepdog world: </p>
<ul> <li>Redesign of the OBCC brochure </li> <li>Cleaned up degraded digital logos for OBCC and CBCA </li> <li>2016 Canadian Championship - designer of posters, other printed materials, editor and designer of programme </li> <li>2016 produced calendar from my own photos of border collies (donated profit portion from sales made at OBCC sales table at Kingston Sheep Dog Trials) </li> <li>2017 USBCHA Finals (VA) - graphic designer of logo, editor and designer full program (including ads), designer of banners, promotional materials, badges </li> <li>Graphic designer logo USBCHA Sheepdog Trial Points website </li> <li>2021 USBCHA Finals (VA) Program: Designer program cover, Edgeworth Ad, homage to prior posters page </li>
</ul>
<p>Covid restrictions prevented me from getting out to see trials for a few years, so I haven’t been behind the camera lens at them. When I did get out last year, it was exciting to see so many new faces along with the usual suspects that have given me so many hours of enjoyment over the years.</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71488652023-02-04T22:18:59-05:002023-02-04T22:18:59-05:002022 Honourary Member - Bruce Smart<p>At the 2022 Annual General Meeting three Honourary Members were inducted into the club. These Members were recognized for their outstanding long-time contribution to the sheepdog world in general and the Ontario Border Collie Club in particular. </p>
<p>This article originally appeared in the 2017 OBCC newsletter and introduces our new members to one of these exceptional members. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bruce Smart</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/4fbc4dbedd4af8b373d437ebc22ead7810727e23/original/bruce-smart.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_thin" alt="" /></strong><span class="font_small"><em>Photo by Michelle Lawrence</em></span></p>
<p>In the 1980's due to a heavy tax reassessment, we were forced to sell our farm and herd of Herefords, so we downsized to sheep and a smaller acreage We later moved to our present 50 acres but, as a concession to maturity, we no longer farm it ourselves. All that to explain why we acquired sheep and, of course, why we needed a sheepdog. </p>
<p>I knew very little about dogs but in 1987 I bought Skye as a pup from Alex McKinven in North Hatley.I wish I could say that we were great team right from the start. Unfortunately, that was not the case. A combination of my ignorance and Skye's outrun meant that we were usually listed as "also rans". I can still remember her outrun at Evelyn Neuendorf's trial south of Ottawa. She left my feet with conviction well out to the away side, then her bad habit kicked in and at 9 o'clock she stopped and that was the end of the outrun in her opinion. Much later I gave Skye away and she died on the road. Her regretful owners donated the Skye Memorial Trophy for the top Novice dog each year. </p>
<p>Nowadays quite a few people offer training services, which might explain why (in my opinion) the standard of trialing has improved so much when compared to thirty years ago. I first learnt training techniques from books and no doubt they are still a good source of information, particularly when supplemented by on the field coaching. </p>
<p>Jump forward 10 years, and in 1997 I bred Dyna to Sally Lacy's Tru and the result was Dolly. I also bought a pup from John Atkinson named Peg. That pair of dogs carried me through the turn of the century. They were always a threat in open although they differed completely in style. Dolly was wise and steady. Peg always responded to commands but was so fast that she was hard to keep up with. I often left the field exhausted. Those two dogs took me to Finals in Tulsa, Sturgis, Belle Grove, and to the world trial in Ireland. </p>
<p>Our sport would not exist without a lot of work by those who organize trials. I had a brief fling at that myself, so I speak from experience. The regional and national organizations also need support. Again, I speak from experience as a past director of USBCHA, and ex-president of ABCA and CBCA. </p>
<p>I no longer breed dogs or raise and train pups - that maturity thing again -- but I have managed to acquire some good dogs. From Mike Canaday I bought Ken. Hub Holmes sold me Link, and my present open competitor Hemp came from Kevin Evans in Wales. That is the beauty of this sport. As long as your legs can carry you to the post and you have breath enough to whistle, you can keep going. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/71331542023-01-05T10:59:16-05:002023-01-27T09:48:40-05:002022 Year End Awards<p>Congratulations to our 2022 champions! </p>
<p><strong>OPEN Champion </strong> </p>
<p>KEVAN GRETTON and BUD </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/af6224f01b354ed49715c61d3d6da47ccb8be743/original/bud.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" /></p>
<p><br>I purchased Bud from Michael Gallagher as a 18 month old started dog. <br><br>He is a Hutchinson's Sweep son out of a bitch that has J P McGee's Seth and Gallagher's Cap in her pedigree . He was quite timid when he first arrived; not being used to crowds or tents but has settled to be my “go to” dog on the farm, a real pleasure to trial with and a great companion. <br><br>Thanks to all the trial hosts and mentors from the OBCC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>OPEN Reserve Champion </strong></p>
<p>TRACY HINTON and DOY TYE </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a10acaf0d6c9b5c3796cfcaed1378bbbaf9a8e5d/original/tye-2023.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /><br>Tye is from Barry Breemersch. His dam is welsh bred IMP. Zoe who goes back to Aled Owen's Llangwm Cap and his sire by then Scott Glen’s IMP. Taff. Michael Gallagher's lines bred to McCloskey's Sweep. He turned 3 in October. </p>
<p>Tye is sensible, reliable, and good with his sheep. He came along quickly and because of that I had to keep remembering that he was a youngster. This past year has been all about giving him experience and confidence. He did not disappoint. I am thrilled with the dog that he is becoming. Looking forward to a great partnership for years to come.</p>
<p>*Photo courtesy of Alanna Leach</p>
<p><br><strong>PRO NOVICE Champion </strong> </p>
<p>HILARY FLOWER and SCOTIA DIASY </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a127762a24526ddfc1bd674480f1228cf5110029/original/hilary-and-daisy.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />This little lady is home bred from four generations of my breeding on the dams side. “Scotia Sioux”, Daisy’s mother goes back to “Kinloch Zayn” and World Champion Michael Shears “Bob. The sire is a bred by Wendy Schmaltz “CWS Mike”, a local farm dog working sheep and cattle. He goes back to a lot of good lines including Wendy’s “Ky” and Peter Gonnets “Bob” </p>
<p>I introduced Daisy to sheep at 5 months just to see if she had any interest...Oh yeah, she did! </p>
<p>Daisy didn’t get off to a good start, she was a bit of a wild child! She wasn’t very polite to the sheep, she was growling and lunging on the line. Normally, I would put a pup like this away for a few months after the initial introduction to sheep, but this one was a little different. She was tough, took correction and she REALLY wanted to work. If I didn’t give her a job she was going to create one and go work for herself. Not good. </p>
<p>She was confident and was showing a lot of talent so I made her my winter project, if I saw any stress signs I was going to put her away until spring. I worked her in a small paddock until she realized I was part of the game and she should be a little nicer to her sheep, then graduated to bigger spaces. She was a natural out runner with nice flanks. She was coming along really nicely until about 10 months when she decided that grabbing wool and trying to pull a sheep down was way more fun than playing in with me! I probably went a little too far, too soon. So, back to the paddock to explain that this was not a good thing to do! This made me aware that this may surface on the trial field and I should not let her get ahead of me or get too relaxed. </p>
<p>Also, she decided “that’ll do” meant…. “I don’t want to come off sheep so I will go off contact and counter balance so you can’t catch me. Lie down, what’s that?!” </p>
<p>I put her line back on and put the sheep in a pen in a corner to catch her for a few sessions. Then she decided “off balance” was not a good thing and would not take any off balance for fear of losing her sheep. So I put sheep in a pen and pretty much lunged her around the outside of the pen until she gave in and became flexible. When I let the sheep out of the pen, she had a better understanding of what I was asking of her and was willing to take her flanks. She kept me on my toes that is for sure! </p>
<p>Sheep like her, she is very direct, the sheep do not seem to question her. I don’t see much tension in her, she may develop a little eye, as her mother has quite a bit. </p>
<p>She is a good listener, not just on the sheep, but in life. She wants to please. </p>
<p>I logged the times spent training her from day one, which I had never done before when starting a pup. I also videotaped the good (and the bad) when I had someone to video. I plan to take small pieces of the videos to make a “Start to Trial” video of Daisy and add the training session times for my interest. </p>
<p>Daisy being crowned 2022 OBCC Pro Novice Champion was a big surprise to me as she didn’t start trialing until late August. And I didn’t trial her to be competitive, I just wanted put some miles on her, to school her and keep her listening to me. To have control - as she was a very young dog. </p>
<p>My training for 2023 is to smooth Daisy out, last season I ran a lot of “stop and go” with her to make sure she didn’t get ahead of me. So keeping her on her feet and some pace is my goal for this year. She is a very fun little dog!</p>
<p><br><strong>PRO NOVICE Reserve Champion </strong> </p>
<p>REBECCA LAWRENCE and HAZEL HILL MEABH </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/cee020879694354405496e7e48d63d6ede2d6207/original/meabh.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /><br>Hazel Hill Méabh is out of Stacey Rember’s Hawkeye and her previous farm dog, Kate (a littermate of Louise’s Tug whom I’ve always liked). There were 2 females available in the litter, and Stacey thought I would like the tri better. We went to visit them to make the final decision; I cuddled the black & white girl, thinking she would be my choice. When I picked up the wee little tri, out came the cooing of “Aren’t you a little Méabh?” Dang it, if you instantly name the puppy, you’re going to end up with the puppy! She bonded strongly with me as I injured myself a few days after she came home and was my couch companion during the months of recovery. <br><br>Like for all of us, Covid threw a spanner into the works when it came time to start training Méabh in 2020. Since I had no access to sheep during our various lockdowns, Tracy kindly took her in for several days in 2020 to get Méabh started and spent even more time with her in 2021 to work on further progression and run her in several trials for experience. Under Tracy’s tutelage/handling, she earned 6th in the Nursery class in the CBCA Championship in 2021 (despite chomping on the Mountie’s bottom in her first run!) Méabh is very different dog to run than Key: medium eyed, square flanks and stays further off her sheep. She has taught me a lot of what I want in a dog, how to overcome different challenges a different kind of dog presents. Too bad you can pick out the traits you like the best from each dog! <br>A heartfelt thank you to Tracy Hinton for all her work and effort training Méabh and me! Thank you to John, Cynthia, Kevan, Viki, Louise, Jane, Tara and Carol for your lessons, wisdom and sheep time!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>NOVICE NOVICE Champion</strong> </p>
<p>BETH HARRIS and FINN</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a49752b1740f0c6d6f2492fc9ba8fc83ef5ec3b0/original/beth-and-finn.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /><br>Finn and I have been together since I brought him home as an 8 week old pup almost nine years ago. He is by Catherine Laxton’s EF- Tweed and out of Brian Atkinson’s Rosie. I wouldn’t say that Finn showed signs of great promise. He was the antisocial pup who sat on my boot. Naturally, as a romantic, I decided that he had picked me. In the beginning it didn’t always go well. I thought I had a good understanding of sheep, but I did not know how to work with a dog. It resulted in a lot of frustration. This of course led to Finn immediately shutting down. After a bit of self-reflection I realized that if I was steady, he would be too. Over the years we attended the odd clinic, but mostly learned things the hard way. As we moved more sheep to more challenging places, we became a team. Eventually I started to make more work for us (on purpose.) So after perusing the OBCC site and reading the rulebook, I decided to enter our first trial. Since I had no idea what I was walking into, I thought that it would be prudent to take a lesson two days before the trial. Shockingly, it did not go well… Sue was gentle, but gave me fair warning. After our talks I promptly booked a hotel room so that at least when I embarrassed myself, I could cry in the shower. Despite my reservations, we went. I guess the chores paid off, because we held our own. I am so thankful to everyone who shared their experience, knowledge, and wine with me. Most of all, I am thankful for my good boy.</p>
<p><strong>NOVICE NOVICE Reserve Champion</strong> </p>
<p>DANIEL TURCOTTE and DENVER</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/f4a56c457767ddae263906b4d5d0d336fe1a5218/original/daniel-and-denver.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /><br>The year 2022 has been a great start for us in the world of clinics and competitions of Herding in Canada and United States. </p>
<p>We operate a sheep farm and we have several pastures and feedlots. We acquired Denver from Amanda Milliken in August 2020. Those parents are none other than Dar and Carl. I was on a long waiting list and we got the last pick from the litter. As soon as he arrived at the farm, very young, Denver showed us his talent for herding. With the advice of Amanda and several handlers, we have established a tailor-made training program in order to develop all the genetic potential that he possesses. He has an exemplary balance an excellent gathering quality. Denver never loses control of is sheep. </p>
<p>The year 2022 was a full year of competitions across the Eastern United States and Ontario in Novice-Novice. Very nice experiences and only good encounters. Denver got off to a good start at his first competition at the Bluegrass trial in Kentucky. We were at our first trial and we got only good results. </p>
<p>I really enjoy working with Denver when the going gets tough. With more than 15 trials this year, Denver has always brought the sheep back to the Pen and has each competition finished in the top 10. He amassed several first and second positions. When the sheep are difficult and there are several abandonments, Denver is there, always ready to take up the challenge. Quick and precise with my whistle commands, he moves gracefully and the sheep had better obey as long as I don't make mistakes. He likes daily training and by the way it keeps me in shape. </p>
<p>In Indian River, the pressure was very strong at the exhaust and Denver had to deal with sheep who wanted to flee in all directions and he knew how to bring the herd back to us as far as the Pen. </p>
<p>In Jasper Ontario, the Kitley Corners Farm trial organizers asked me if I could do Nursery with Denver. What a great opportunity to explore my dog's talents. To my great surprise Denver was able to complete the run and in addition he got the sheep into the pen within the prescribed time. It is at this precise moment that I said to myself that Denver has the talent to go very far. </p>
<p>What I like, above all, is when certain competitors call me to tell me how much they like to see the work and the beauty of his execution when he handles the herd. Denver wants to please me at all times and that's why we make a very good team. He follows me wherever I go. Difficult to part with my faithful companion. Denver is only two years old and it will certainly continue to surprise us. What great years we still have ahead of us to climb the ladder before joining our greatest Canadians handlers. </p>
<p>Denver and I did all the clinics organized by the OBCC and this allowed us to learn from the best. This led us to the results of the 2022 reserve champion in Novice for the OBCC. </p>
<p>Now it's time for us to take the next step to pro-novice and continue our apprenticeship with beautiful people who are passionate about herding. </p>
<p>Thank you to all the members and the team of the OBCC who allow us to practice herding with our working dogs.</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/70890502022-10-26T12:21:06-04:002023-01-05T10:49:26-05:00Shepherds' Crook Fall Farm Trial - 2022<p>By Kristin Bryant </p>
<p><br>The calendar indicated it was fall, and the weather reaffirmed it. Perfect weather for dogs and sheep though. It was wonderful to be back in Canada and visit with friends I hadn’t seen in quite a while. </p>
<p><br>The Open field was set and quite challenging. A lot of dogs and handlers had never run on a trial field such as this. The trial field was set with a quaint split rail fence between the handler’s post and the set out sheep with gaps to accommodate outruns in both directions and the fetch panels. Trees were scattered throughout the fence line with lovely autumn foliage. </p>
<p><br>The backside of the course held challenges of it own. On the first day some dogs had trouble getting out to their sheep, but the judge was generous and let handlers go out and help their dogs. This seemed to have a positive effect as most dogs on the second day found their sheep. </p>
<p><br>The sheep were in good condition and were quite nice to run throughout the weekend. </p>
<p><br>The Ranch class had some promising dogs entered. The first run was on the novice field. The second was run on the backside of the Open field, which was very challenging for the dogs. Many had trouble getting to the set out, all in all a nice class of dogs. </p>
<p><br>The Pro Novice class was full of promising young dogs. The Novice Novice class was the largest I have ever seen. These handlers and their dogs were very prepared and for the most part under control. Everyone in the class should be proud of themselves and their dogs. </p>
<p><br>The handlers’ dinner was exceptional as usual, and Kevan and Kim were wonderful and gracious hosts. </p>
<p><br>The whole trial was well organized and run like a well-oiled machine. It was great to be back again!</p>
<p> </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/70793762022-10-11T17:01:30-04:002022-10-14T10:35:28-04:00Young Dog Clinic with Scott Glen - 2022<p>By Anne Wheatley </p>
<p><br>This Thanksgiving weekend Andrea de Kenedy hosted Scott Glen for a 3 day young dog clinic at her Cloudberry Farm near Warkworth, Ontario. I’ve been lucky to attend some Scott Clinics here and there over the years. Scott is a great assessor of dogs and handlers and a terrific teacher. I was especially interested in this clinic because I have an 11 month old youngster just starting out. </p>
<p><br>Initially my dog Rye and I worked in the round pen with a few sheep. He did just fine, going around both ways and stopping on balance and walking up a bit as was possible in the small space. “Don’t be afraid of the speed”, Scott said. Then he reminded me that pressure off is a very important part of “pressure on pressure off” as I helped Rye shape his gathers. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/adf10746fa88de0b0dc557fe1cad6a5610f6875e/original/sg-1-2022-4.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p><br>The next day we graduated to a slightly larger oval field where the draw of the sheep to the gate added another dimension for Rye. He was less comfortable. In response, I had to be less concerned with the shape of his gathers and instead help him to see that the sheep weren’t going to escape and to know that he could easily catch them or follow them to the draw. </p>
<p><br>On day three we took sheep to the far end of a bigger field and did some gathers, small outruns, stopping on balance and wearing. Again Rye was concerned about the different draws to a couple of places on the field. Our time was spent going around in directions, and stopping in places, that made him feel okay so as to build his confidence. If the shape of a gather was reasonable, we left it alone. </p>
<p><br>I like my dog and got to know him better this weekend. Others who attended also learned about their dogs and how to handle and help them. The fall weather was pretty darn nice. No one froze or got rained on. The leaves were spectacular. Meals were super. Andrea managed everything seamlessly. </p>
<p><br>I think about the time between now and this time next year and the miles that Rye and I will walk together. Can’t wait</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a28d46f3c729ab50764c85d8fba7a2b28e3f2ee4/original/sg-1-2022-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/b0f0a5a2a48b9625f539a1b82e066f5229be8431/original/sg-1-2022-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo Credits to Francois Leblanc and Anne Wheatley</em></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/70741442022-10-04T08:31:07-04:002022-10-04T08:31:27-04:00Handy Dog Fall Trial - 2022<p>By Mary Thompson</p>
<p>This is one of my favourite trials, and not just because it’s close to where I live, which is in itself is a bonus, but more because it has a lovely friendly flavour and a wonderful wide deep hay field to test your handling skills. <br><br>This season those skills were put to the test because the hosts moved the set out cone much further back than normal, still leaving a good 250 yards beyond that ending at the bush line. The field is basically an oval with some swales on both sides just deep enough to fool a young open dog into crossing or running on by the sheep which were set up on an elevated point about three quarters of the way out. The experienced open dogs found the sheep quite readily, but then had to deal with the heavy pull towards the set out pen, followed by more lean on the same side on the way down the fetch. Many teams had to fight to bring the sheep out of a top end swale and back on line to catch the fetch gates with minimal help from the handler who basically couldn’t see either the sheep or their dog. It was a mistake for a dog to <br>run too deep as the sheep were ready to rumble on down the field and playing catch-up gave away the top of the fetch line. <br><br>The difficulty from the handlers post was not being able to see your dog’s final approach to the lift as they disappeared at the top end and your only choice was to blow a stop whistle or hope your dog would see the sheep and come up on them at the right spot. Blind lifts are tough! While I was setting, several dogs ran on by the set point and all the way back to the tree line and around, not having looked up at the right time to see the sheep standing there. This of course was totally unknown to the handler, judge, and the spectators. The waiting game to see where and when your dog would pop up seemed long and arduous. Our friend from overseas Boggy Warmington performed the judging duties and sorted out the winning runs. <br><br>As always, the 4H catered dinner in the back yard was wonderful, and everyone ate too much. <br>The mashed potatoes and gravy was certainly a hit, I witnessed several handlers going back for <br>more! I saved room for dessert! <br><br>All in all, a lovely trial and I look forward to many more in the seasons to come. Thanks to Victoria Lamont, John Straube, Viki Kidd, and their support workers for providing us with a challenging fun trial.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a17af95034d96a5ab298df6adc5ca16e9dd635f3/original/hd-2022-bazbud.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Baz sneaking up on Bud in Handy Dog pond.<br>Photo by Carol Guy</em></p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/70555532022-09-07T23:23:27-04:002022-09-08T14:50:47-04:00The Kingston Sheepdog Trial – 2022<p>By Celeste Lacroix </p>
<p>For many sheepdog herding enthusiasts, the trialing points year goes from August 1 - July 31 as per the USBCHA calendar. In Ontario, the Kingston Sheepdog Trial usually starts off that new trialing season. </p>
<p>This year the event was held Aug 3 – 7. The competition includes two individual 2 day open trials (110+ handlers each trial, 55 each day) followed by the finals of a double lift on Sunday with the top 15 cumulative scores over the 2 trials. Handlers from across Canada and the USA gather at this prestigious event that is always well attended by both handlers and spectators. Grass Creek Park in Kingston provides a picturesque setting with a slowly sloping hill, trees and the St Lawrence River. Dave Young sets the bar higher each year by adding a new Canadian decoration to the field setup. </p>
<p>The event is particularly spectator and family friendly with concession stands, other dog events, many specialty shopping opportunities and a mostly treed viewing vantage point to watch the sheepdog trial. The Waupoos sheep are brought in from nearby Prince Edward County and are well known for being challenging! More like range sheep, they are not your average farm flock. </p>
<p>Handlers seemed to be a bit giddy this year, ready to get back to their favorite activity after having spent 2 years in isolation with limited sheepdog trials available. Younger dogs who had not had the chance to stretch out their skills during the pandemic period were particularly challenged by this trial. Mother nature tested all by providing a heat wave in southern Ontario, the hottest day being the double lift finals on Sunday. Morning runs seemed to give a small advantage of coolness while the later runs of the day often suffered in higher heats and sheep who wanted to graze in the shade. Handlers were respectful of their dogs and the sheep’ limitations and often chose to retire rather than push too far. At the end of the tally, there seemed to be as many RT/DQ as there were numerical scores. </p>
<p>Congratulations to all handlers who challenged themselves and demonstrated incredible working skills and sportsmanship with their dogs and livestock. </p>
<p>Open 1 top places were </p>
<p>Mary Ann Duffy & Gwen (80) <br>Cy Peterson & Tory (78) <br>Mary Ann Duffy & Jean (71). </p>
<p>Open 2 top places were </p>
<p>Sue Schoen & Cora (82) <br>Amanda Milliken & Tui (80) <br>Christine Koval & Jim (78) </p>
<p>The double lift final top places were </p>
<p>Mary Minor & Hazel (243) <br>Mary Ann Duffy & Gwen (234) <br>Barbara Ray & Dan (233) </p>
<p>As always, these events take a small village to coordinate and the Kingston Sheepdog Trial is no exception. The judges this year were from Scotland, Neil McVicar and Andrew Carnegie did an exceptional job of trying to be fair to sheep, handlers and dogs. The village comprises Amanda Milliken, Sandra Massie, Susan Schoen, Michele Ferraro, Karen Curtis, Dave Young, Mike Crellian, Werner Reitboeck, Sally Molloy, Heather Nadelman, Rebecca Lawrence, Sheila Deane and so many more. The setouts were exceptionally difficult with the sheep and the heat but so many handlers stepped up to provide every run with an equal chance of success. My apologies for forgetting anyone but it really is the outstanding effort by all that makes this such a wonderful event. </p>
<p>Thank you all!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/577ac57db99dc66858ebacd14b07beceb1c8e4bc/original/kst-2022.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Photo by Werner Reitboeck</p>
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<p> </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/70170712022-07-18T13:11:15-04:002022-10-14T10:35:28-04:00Return of the Most Promising Handler Award<p>The Board of the Ontario Border Collie Club is very happy to announce the return of the Award for Most Promising Novice Handler. </p>
<p>This award recognizes novice handlers who demonstrate: </p>
<p>* good sportsmanship </p>
<p>* a willingness to learn and improve </p>
<p>* concern for the welfare of stock </p>
<p>* a willingness to volunteer </p>
<p>* awareness of and respect for the tradition and history of our sport. </p>
<p>All members of OBCC are welcome to nominate a Novice Novice or Pro Novice OBCC member. </p>
<p>Nominations can be sent via email to secretaryobcc@gmail.com by the end of August 2022. </p>
<p>Nominators are asked to briefly describe the reasons why they believe the identified member meets the above criteria. </p>
<p>If you wish to nominate and would like assistance please contact Teresa Castonguay at tcast4dogs@gmail.com </p>
<p>The list of nominations will be shared with all members in the fall. Members' votes on these nominations will be accepted at secretaryobcc@gmail.com until October. </p>
<p>The presentation of the award will be held at the 2022 AGM.</p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUBtag:www.ontariobordercollieclub.com,2005:Post/69844542022-06-01T14:20:51-04:002023-01-05T10:12:08-05:002021 Year End Awards<p>Congratulations to our 2021 champions!</p>
<h3>OPEN Champion </h3>
<p>TRACY HINTON AND LAD </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/c98e10d627d61ba5e67dcfc2dcfffbfa8855ccc1/original/img-1748.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" /></p>
<p>Lad came to me at a year old from Vergil and Anne Marie Holland. He is out of Vergil’s Brooke, sired by Patricia MacRae's Cap. I remember the day I saw him and said, “OH NO he’s fluffy!”. A name that stuck. I have grown to appreciate how handsome he is. </p>
<p>He has a great way with sheep, they like him. He is calm and confident. He does not care if they are dog broke hair sheep or western range ewes. I feel very blessed to have had him at my side. He helped make me a better trainer/handler and has become a wonderful partner. </p>
<p>Thank you to Vergil, my mentors and the OBCC community for all your support. Trials, clinics, club events, handler’s dinners, and chats in the handler’s tent. It truly is a great family! </p>
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<h3>OPEN Reserve Champion </h3>
<p>AMANDA MILLIKEN AND DAR </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/536a591cae0e449de2add6fbc4760f7e4883a335/original/amanda.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Amanda and Dar have become quite a team in the short time they have been trialing. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. Congratulations! </p>
<p>(Amanda has been busy travelling and lambing and will provide a bio as soon as she can.) </p>
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<h3>PRO NOVICE Champion </h3>
<p>TRACY HINTON AND DOY TYE </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a627dcd8ba91ed7148bc5836f78c57b85bbf97d0/original/img-1727.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I purchased Tye as a puppy from Barry Breemersch. His dam was an import named Zoe and his sire by then Scott Glen’s imported Taff. </p>
<p>He was my dog from the second I picked him up. We rarely have words. He was a handful the first couple of times on sheep and then settled in. Training was and is a pleasure. I have never brought a dog along so quickly. He is sensible, reliable, and good with his sheep. </p>
<p>I look forward to seeing him through his nursery year and into open! </p>
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<h3>PRO NOVICE Reserve Champion </h3>
<p>VICTORIA LAMONT AND WILLOW </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/47d9488ce3efa21160474a0af776961588e34df9/original/victoria.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I got Willow from Allistair Lyttle in Ireland. She looked good on video and as a grand-daughter of Hutchinson’s Sweep, she had good breeding. I had a bit of buyer’s remorse at first because she had a lot of eye and even more annoying habits: She is a squeaky barker and a foot licker (my feet, not hers). No-one in my house can make a move without Willow triggering a five-dog stampede to the door because it must be walk time. Also: she has two left ears. I contemplated selling her, but I didn’t try very hard because part of me really liked her. Her good qualities became more and more evident to me the more we got to know each other. She is a tenacious worker with a lot of power, and she is a good learner. She can move like a ninja when the occasion demands. She still likes crawling on her belly eyeing up sheep a little more than I would like, but her good qualities more than make up for it. As for the squeaky barking and foot-licking, it’s nothing that can’t be solved with earplugs and sensible footwear. </p>
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<h3>NOVICE NOVICE Champion </h3>
<p>PAMELA HALL AND FEN </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/21ed0a747f0704db0bf287959aaf7da14b22f2be/original/pamela.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Fen came into my life at 18 months, as a started dog from Christine Jobe in Alberta. I really couldn’t have asked for a better dog. She initially had some anxiety at the top of the field and would grip, we have been working on that and she has gained much more confidence. Having a new dog with much more instinctual drive and skills has been a big step ahead for me as a handler. Big thanks yous’ to everyone that I have been taking lessons with, I wouldn’t be here without you. I look forward to each new step on our journey in this dynamic sport. </p>
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<h3>NOVICE NOVICE Reserve Champion </h3>
<p>TANIA COSTA AND BEN </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/64253/a7aac0f477826d548cf7a3d044f837a20dafa98a/original/tanie-and-ben.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Ben and I have been working sheep for 3 years now. I have attempted herding with several different dogs, on and off again for the past 8 years. Prior to that I competed in Agility and Flyball but sheep herding is way more fun and challenging. There is nothing better than being in the outdoors doing what a border collie was meant to do. </p>
<p>We have had our ups and downs, mainly due to my inability to read the sheep and remember my flanks as I whirl around the post. I find it interesting to watch Ben as he almost shakes his head as if to say “no wrong flank you dummy!” I really think I need to have “away” and Come-bye” tattooed on my hands. </p>
<p>I truly feel this summer we finally got our mojo and started working together as more of a team. Now on to the big leagues, Pro-Novice, which I am told is the biggest jump in competing. I believe that, as having a dog with medium eye is proving to be a challenge as we learn how to drive. But the sport would not be fun unless we have a goal to work towards. </p>
<p>As the saying goes, “when ordinary humiliation is not enough, we train sheep dogs!” </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. </p>
<p> </p>ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE CLUB