Dog Brag

[BCSnob]

We went to a sheepdog trial this weekend mainly for our 2 year old boys; Grant and Lee. They each got 3 runs in ProNovice and 3 runs in Nursery.

ProNovice is the lowest class we can start dogs in since we have both run in the highest class; it had a 150yard outrun, and short drive (push sheep away from handler about 75yards) and then pen the sheep. Nursery is for dogs under 3 years and has a course the same size and the next level up from ProNovice; 200 yard outrun, 100 yard drive, 100 yard cross drive (push sheep from one side of field to the other), and then pen the sheep.

In ProNovice there were 40-45 teams running each of the 3 runs.
Day 1: Grant was 1st and Lee was 2nd
Day 2: Grant was 4th and Lee was 10th
Day 3: Grant was 9th and Lee was 1st

In Nursery there were 6-10 teams running and placing well earns a qualifying leg for our national finals.
Day 1: Grant was 3rd and Lee was 1st (2 dogs qualified for nationals)
Day 2: Grant was 2nd and Lee was 4th (2 dogs qualified for nationals)
Day 3: Grant was 2nd and Lee was 1st (1 dog qualified for nationals)

Both boys got better ( and more excitable through the weekend). My wife and I got better at handling our boys trough the weekend. Lee's last run in ProNovice we only lost one point (out of 80) during our run.

We have 4 dogs qualified for the nationals this year (trial year Aug 1 - July 31). Peg (13 year old grandma) who I retired this winter, B.J. (10 year old mom), Nell (10 year old aunt), and Lee (2 year old). We won't be going. I get just enough vacation for us to qualify but not also travel to the finals; and we host a trial annually on the third weekend in Sept which this year is the same time as the nationals in Carbondale CO.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Good to hear your farm handles rain well!! Thanks, Mark!

[BCSnob]

Thanks for asking

Ellicot city has a river that runs along Main Street and it swelled due to all the rain in the watershed. The surrounding pastures due drain through our fields and then along side our drive; we had some heavy rain but not like east of here. We did need rain, pastures were getting dry, and now we will be good. The sheep just turned their butts into the wind and stood out in the rain. Sam and the chickens took shelter. The dogs and us were inside.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Mark - how are you doing after all that rain (of course I have no idea how much your area received, but Ellicott City certainly got clobbered)?? From pictures, it appears your house and barn are on hills - hope your critters are fine.

[rockhillmanor]

BCSnob wrote:
We went to a sheepdog trial this weekend mainly for our 2 year old boys; Grant and Lee. They each got 3 runs in ProNovice and 3 runs in Nursery.

ProNovice is the lowest class we can start dogs in since we have both run in the highest class; it had a 150yard outrun, and short drive (push sheep away from handler about 75yards) and then pen the sheep. Nursery is for dogs under 3 years and has a course the same size and the next level up from ProNovice; 200 yard outrun, 100 yard drive, 100 yard cross drive (push sheep from one side of field to the other), and then pen the sheep.

In ProNovice there were 40-45 teams running each of the 3 runs.
Day 1: Grant was 1st and Lee was 2nd
Day 2: Grant was 4th and Lee was 10th
Day 3: Grant was 9th and Lee was 1st

In Nursery there were 6-10 teams running and placing well earns a qualifying leg for our national finals.
Day 1: Grant was 3rd and Lee was 1st (2 dogs qualified for nationals)
Day 2: Grant was 2nd and Lee was 4th (2 dogs qualified for nationals)
Day 3: Grant was 2nd and Lee was 1st (1 dog qualified for nationals)

Both boys got better ( and more excitable through the weekend). My wife and I got better at handling our boys trough the weekend. Lee's last run in ProNovice we only lost one point (out of 80) during our run.

We have 4 dogs qualified for the nationals this year (trial year Aug 1 - July 31). Peg (13 year old grandma) who I retired this winter, B.J. (10 year old mom), Nell (10 year old aunt), and Lee (2 year old). We won't be going. I get just enough vacation for us to qualify but not also travel to the finals; and we host a trial annually on the third weekend in Sept which this year is the same time as the nationals in Carbondale CO.

WOW! BIG congrats! That was once nice rewarding weekend for you and your new upcoming dogs. Makes all the work you and your wife put into the dogs worthwhile eh?! :B

[corgi-traveler]

That's a pretty successful weekend. Congratulations!

[Old-Biscuit]

Congrats on the boys runs!!

I'm lucky to get our 'new' dog to even pay attention (8 yr old 44# rescue Border Collie/Mix)

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Way to go, Mark, Renee, and "family"!! It's too bad that work gets in the way of your fun..... but we all know you would have done very well!!

[xteacher]

Congrats on your successful outing!

[RBak]

Congratulations! Hope you and all your "flock" - dogs included - are well.

Rita and her "flock"
Buttons the sheltie
Nicky the Tennessee Walker

[Little_Kopit]

Nice going.

:B :B

[Crowe]

Congrats!

[BCSnob]

I can tell you it was cooler (ca. 90F) and less humid (dew point 55F) this past weekend in Cortland NY than in Lewisville NC (or in Middletown MD). The fields were also brown and crunchy due to drought conditions.

[pulsar]

Congratulations Mark and Renee and your BC's. Wish we could have been there.

Tom & Sarah

[NCWriter]

Great achievements!

We went to the Peach Blossom Cluster in Perry, GA one year and watched a friend compete with her dogs in agility. It was amazing to watch all types of dogs in action. Major work-out for the owners, too. Talk about a fitness program... I loved seeing the sheep dogs at work.

Photos??