RESDA Pt Pleasant Sheepdog Trial, June 5 2010

Yesterday was the RESDA trial at the Spencers' place, Pt Pleasant Ranch. We had a large number (31) of Open dogs (for RESDA) plus a set of Pro-Novice and Novice dogs, but because of excellent organization, the day moved along smoothly. The weather was warm with a nice breeze part of the day. We ran on three St Croix ewes from the home flock. The Open course was a modified RESDA layout with outrun, lift and fetch, using the pen as the "post". The handler stood in front of the pen to send his or her dog. The two panels were driven rather than fetched in the traditional RESDA style. Once the sheep had broken the plane of the second panel, the handler moved to the chute and pen which were done in the traditional RESDA style (that is, no handler assistance at either obstacle). In RESDA style there are points deducted if a handler uses arms or body movement to help the dog at the chute or pen. Total points possible are 60.

There were lots of good runs with several scores in the low 50s. The field is absolutely flat which often throws off some of the dogs who are not accustomed to working there. Coal and I ran about the middle of the class. His outrun was not the greatest. We missed the second panel in sort of a bobble. So our score was middle of the pack, too. One of our sheep did not want to hang with the other two, so it was a matter of coaxing her around with the two, without splitting them up or allowing them to run back to their holding pen. We got the chute with only one point off, as I recall (that single ewe tried to do a run-by) and the pen with zero off, so we ended well. I am always happy with him though. I think Coal's score was 43 but all the official scores and results will be posted soon on http://www.resda.com/.

It was nice to talk with friends and the BBQ potluck lunch was as always second to none. The RESDA folks know how to eat well! Also, a fan of my blog introduced herself to me at the lunch break. I had no idea that people read this blog who do not know me. Anyway that was fun and quite unexpected! Next on the RESDA schedule come all of the fun county fair trials.

Photos June 2, 2010

This is my new rose bush, an impulse buy on Memorial Day. It's called "Paint the Town".

Rime will be 18 months old on June 6th!

Coal, with his ears in all their glory!

Chiefie:

The Boys.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Growing up, Memorial Day was always observed properly. We cut peonies out of the garden, arranged them in containers and took them to the different cemeteries and decorated graves of the relatives. We went to parades and of course put up our flag. Our parents called the occasion "Decoration Day" as often as they called it Memorial Day. Now, I just put out my flag and think about the day. This weekend has been more about recuperation and resting, but also remembrance. A friend is writing a book (and soon will have a blog) about souls lost at sea and artistic memorials to them. It will be interesting to see the book unfold. Maybe the book will be ready for next year's Memorial Day. When the blog is up and running, I will post the link.

Meanwhile, we went to Zamora for lessons on Saturday. The famous gale-force Zamora Wind was in full effect, however, so we opted not to work Coal. Whistling at a distance would have been nearly impossible and working out in the open, miserable for all. But Rime had a good session since he is working more closely at hand. Rime is making progress in his work. We're doing baby outruns, developing his lift, and starting little baby drives. His stops are improving (but not quite there yet!). Rime is very keen and there is a lot there to work with, including some really nice natural flanks. He is different from Coal, however, so I am very thankful to have input on how to proceed.

Yesterday, we trimmed feet on some of our sheep. Rime did most of the sorting job to separate our 25 or so head from the other 55 they are running with. He's doing well but got hot near the end and started to lose his cool...so someone else was nice enough to finish the job for him. After we were finished, as it happened, there was a pen full of lambs who had never been worked separately before (with one adult ewe). Coal got to play with these just a little bit...which made him stand up and take notice! We only worked them a couple of minutes before returning them to their respective moms.

At home, Chief and Coal have been playing endlessly (especially Coal) in the big 300 gallon water tank. Rime is not sure about going in, although he loves water. I am planning to go out today and look for a kiddie pool for him. It's really nice to have an extra day off.

My Introduction to Sheepdog Trials

The Bluegrass...in 1991

The first sheepdog trial I ever attended was the Bluegrass Classic in 1991. It was held at the Kentucky Horse Park on the cross-country field. Below are some photos I recently ran across that have sat in a box for all these years. I am not sure who all the people are, although I have a few guesses. If anyone knows for sure who they are, please feel free to comment. I have a few more photos that do not have any people in them, but they do show how beautiful the cross-country field was for holding a top-notch trial such as the Bluegrass. If I get some more time, I will scan those too.

There must have been a brace demonstration.

Bluegrass Photos

Here is a wonderful album of black and white portraits by Maureen Robinson, taken at the recent Bluegrass Classic SDT. They are really special pictures.

As a personal trivia note, the very first sheepdog trial that I ever went to (as a spectator, of course) was the the Bluegrass. It was 1991 and I had no idea that it was a national-level trial with all the top competitors from the U.S. and Canada competing, until we arrived. What a way to kick off my addiction to sheepdogs! This was back when the trial was held at the Kentucky Horse Park.

There are some more lovely color photos of the Bluegrass Top Twenty finalists at this site.

Zack in Florida

Bid's brother, Zack

Zack lives in Florida. The manatee statuary is probably a giveaway to the geography. But isn't Zack cute? I have always loved his face. According to his buddy Bob, he "looks great, feels great, IS great" at almost age eleven. Great news!

RESDA Beebe-Johnson Memorial Trial

Yesterday we were in Boonville, California, for the RESDA Beebe-Johnson Memorial Sheepdog Trial, held at the Mendocino County fairgrounds. It's a lovely old fairgrounds in a beautiful small-town setting.

Once again we had a long list of Open dogs but the day moved along smoothly and there were lots of good runs. Also there were lots of runs where the sheep won! Colleen Duncan took first place in Open with Stan Johnson's good female, Hope. It was really nice to see Stan's dog win with him there in attendance. Full results should be posted here soon.

Coal ran mid-day and we had a really beautiful run going. It was picture-perfect until we got to the pen with only 1/2 point off the whole thing...and then we couldn't manage to pen the three ewes. We had two ewes penned several times. The third ewe was an independent thinker, I guess. It was frustrating after marching them 'round the rest of the course. The chute was over with so fast I almost missed it! Despite my frustration with the pen, Coal was incredibly good, and he took every whistle and command. Unlike two weeks ago when Coal kind of had the bit in his teeth and was too much on the muscle, yesterday it felt like we were in tune together.

Anyway no matter the outcome I am really happy with him. At least until the next trial, he's still on top of the RESDA point standings, too. ;-)