Saturday, September 13, 2014

Saturday Semis 2014 USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals

Morning was cold and crisp, with frost on the grass and a good nip at your heels.  The sun peeking over the mountains soon warmed up the crowd and  armed with coffee sat to enjoy the semis.  Course was a right hand drive, and then shed of two unmarked and  pen and a single of a marked. I got here late as I thought it started at 8 but that was obviously wrong. It started at 7:30. I wll be watching Nursery as well so not all of the runs will have details.

Hd to walk dogs and get settle so missed a couple of runs.

Angie Coker Sellers and Andy.  167

Jean Singer and Sly 95

Scott Glen and Don. I drove up to see the last bit of his run but the word was it was a free lesson. Smooth, quiet and straight lines. Got all the panels and of course, the shedding guru had the shed in sort order. Patience at the pen for a pen and quick on the single. 187

Bev Lambert and Nan. I missed this as i had to walk dogs but I hear it was good with a couple of rough spots. Missed fetch, fight at post, drive ok missed second panel. good shed and walked in pen with little encouragement and single was quick! 137

Bruce Fogt and Jill. First of all, I think this dog should come to my house but since that isn't going to happen, here is the run.  Nice quiet run and straight lines, with tiny bobble but not much. I think he missed the second panel as i was typing and didn't see it. Nice shed and the pen took a bit as they had no interest but he convinced them. Nice single and great team with a lot of heart. 154

Derek Fisher and Nell. Nell had a hard packet that gave her trouble from the get go. Her huge heart tried as they bolted to the left and Derek placed her well to bring them to his feet. Again they gave Nell grief at the post turn but she kept on working hard. The first leg was tough and the ewes broke and Nell worked like a champ but this ewes were going to give anyone issues. Finally Nell gripped a ewe and was DQ. Great effort by a nice team on very difficult sheep.

Jean Gellings and Star 113. I was getting coffee and a pastry so missed this but as I was walking up, it was peaceful and quiet.

Don Helsley and The Wizard went out on the come bey side and looks to be a nice lift.  Nice quiet fetch and turn at the post. First leg ghe sheep are moving off nice with a few pauses and as they get close to the first panel, they break to the right side but Wiz stops them and tucks them in and has a nice tight turn. They trot off and Wiz gets them back online.   Low and he pushes them back up line.  Sheep are moving well but light in brief moments but Wiz foes his magic and has them under his control.  Through the second panel and a wee bit wide but back online quickly and marches them to the shed.  Don is patient in the shed and lines them up.  He has to maneuver them to get the proper set. The red collared sheep are hanging in the middle but he works it. and gets the shed. The pen is magic and so was the Single. 160

Peggy Wilkinson and Liz had a nice fetch, with Liz holding well. Nice turn but the ewes make a break for it and Liz confidently walks up to their face and all look at each other.  She backs them back online and the ewe decide to listen.Liz had to work to get this stubborn set and flew in and busted the set to make a point (no grip). She got them back and carefully worked them through the panel and the ewes have decided to be heavy.   She works hard for the crossdrive as one ewe keeps stopping at the back to graze and the front want to trot off,  Then low and she works hard to get them back online.  Liz got the ewe to saunter through the second gate and a nice turn, a wee bit wide.  In the ring and the team is quiet and settles the ewes. The ewes try to walk out but Liz gets in their face and they jump. Settled and made the shed but the sheep in the back ran up to join so she has to redo the shed.  Peg is well dressed and looks like a model for a Western type of magazine. Time ends the run as she is setting up the shed. Nice quiet run and a good team. Score of 94

Joe Haynes and Keally, a super confident female with lost of push.  Nice and deep on the outrun and confident lift.  Then the sheep drop their head to graze and he gives her a walk up and they finally get moving.  Not much offline and a steady fetch.  Just before the panels they drop their heads to graze and Keally has to get in their faces. They skim the panels and are very heavy.  The ewes finally to get with the program and go in a nice trot to the post.   Turn is wide but controlled. High on the first leg and the ewes are being tough.  Joe works hard to get the back onlne and it is looking nice. The ewes slow down and Keally does a grip for a DQ. Excellent handing on very tough ewes.


Kay Stephens and Gala. Big shout out for Kay for saving the BAER clinic by suppling a much needed cord. Dog went out nice and wide.  Gala hit balance and nice lift with dog in control.  But the dog gripped on the drive, damm!

Barbara Ray and Stella. I went and got coffee so missed the outwork. Nice first leg and turn. bit high but got them back online. Nice drive with a few bobbles, shed took a bit but she got it. Working hard at the pen.  She eases them in pen and jumps up and down at the last bit to get the slow ewe in the pen. Ewes amble to the ring. Calls the dog in but she doesn't hold, then comes back for the hold. 164

Allen Hickenbottom and Bodie. Dog is working packet well, with a wee bobble but moving nicely. Nice line and good work and made the first panel. Low and had to work to slow them down to get back online. Got the second panel and nice last leg to ring.  Quiet work and he gets the shed. Very quiet at the pen and the ewes want to break to the side but Bodie is holding well.   All five face off and one puts her head down and Bodie greets her with teeth for a DQ.

I have to take off for a bit and will write when i get back so will miss the next couple of runs.

Joni  Tietjen and Bill had a nice run and I managed to see the shed, pen and shed which was pretty darn nice and her score of 177 reflects that. Tierney Graham and Brisco had 150 and I could hear the crow clap for her pen and single. Noelle Williams and Lad for 113. Chris Jobe and Fly had a 145. Suzy Applegate and Coop had  

Tommy Wilson and Meg had a nice steady pace throughout,  The ewes want to stop and graze in the heat.   The fetch was nice and sweet turn at the post. Nice drive with a bobble at the first panel with the dog  did a circle at the first panel and then pull thru and rest of drive was nice. About 15 seconds in the shed and they marched off the two and off to the pen.  Meg is holding the side but the ewes go halfway around then back at the mouth. One breaks to the backside andMeg stops her but the others join her. Patient as one ewe keeps putting her face to Meg and she snapped at her so she jumped as she made contact, quick and short. Now another ewe moves forwards and meets more of the same. This is  a difficult set that is not convinced.  Time runs out as Med holds her ground.  117

Shauna Gourley and Keli are working the ewes at the mid day heat.   Nice outwork and quiet turn at the post.  Slow first leg but straight and made the panels. Nice lines all around and a slow trot to the ring.  The ewes drop their heads to grazes and she set it up and gets the shed.  A sheep broke and Keli covered and all back at the pen.  Time out

Derek Fisher and Jen, with a bright white shirt and cap. Jen goes to the right. Some rough spots, missed fetch and turn was good. Drive was wobbly but good, made panels. with try. Missed attempt but got second attempt. Working at pen but sheep don't want in but Pen Master Derek is holding firm. Zen arrives and sheep march in and a huge round of applause.  As he lines them up in the shed ring for the single but time runs.  Score of  120


Jean Gellings and Star 113. I was getting coffee and a pastry so missed this but as I was walking up, it was peaceful and quiet.

Don Helsley and The Wizard went out on the come bey side and looks to be a nice lift.  Nice quiet fetch and turn at the post. First leg ghe sheep are moving off nice with a few pauses and as they get close to the first panel, they break to the right side but Wiz stops them and tucks them in and has a nice tight turn. They trot off and Wiz gets them back online.   Low and he pushes them back up line.  Sheep are moving well but light in brief moments but Wiz foes his magic and has them under his control.  Through the second panel and a wee bit wide but back online quickly and marches them to the shed.  Don is patient in the shed and lines them up.  He has to maneuver them to get the proper set. The red collared sheep are hanging in the middle but he works it. and gets the shed. The pen is magic and so was the Single. 160

Peggy Wilkinson and Liz had a nice fetch, with Liz holding well. Nice turn but the ewes make a break for it and Liz confidently walks up to their face and all look at each other.  She backs them back online and the ewe decide to listen.Liz had to work to get this stubborn set and flew in and busted the set to make a point (no grip). She got them back and carefully worked them through the panel and the ewes have decided to be heavy.   She works hard for the crossdrive as one ewe keeps stopping at the back to graze and the front want to trot off,  Then low and she works hard to get them back online.  Liz got the ewe to saunter through the second gate and a nice turn, a wee bit wide.  In the ring and the team is quiet and settles the ewes. The ewes try to walk out but Liz gets in their face and they jump. Settled and made the shed but the sheep in the back ran up to join so she has to redo the shed.  Peg is well dressed and looks like a model for a Western type of magazine. Time ends the run as she is setting up the shed. Nice quiet run and a good team. Score of 94

Joe Haynes and Keally, a super confident female with lost of push.  Nice and deep on the outrun and confident lift.  Then the sheep drop their head to graze and he gives her a walk up and they finally get moving.  Not much offline and a steady fetch.  Just before the panels they drop their heads to graze and Keally has to get in their faces. They skim the panels and are very heavy.  The ewes finally to get with the program and go in a nice trot to the post.   Turn is wide but controlled. High on the first leg and the ewes are being tough.  Joe works hard to get the back onlne and it is looking nice. The ewes slow down and Keally does a grip for a DQ. Excellent handing on very tough ewes.


Kay Stephens and Gala. Big shout out for Kay for saving the BAER clinic by suppling a much needed cord. Dog went out nice and wide.  Gala hit balance and nice lift with dog in control.  But the dog gripped on the drive, damm!

Barbara Ray and Stella. I went and got coffee so missed the outwork. Nice first leg and turn. bit high but got them back online. Nice drive with a few bobbles, shed took a bit but she got it. Working hard at the pen.  She eases them in pen and jumps up and down at the last bit to get the slow ewe in the pen. Ewes amble to the ring. Calls the dog in but she doesn't hold, then comes back for the hold. 164

Allen Hickenbottom and Bodie. Dog is working packet well, with a wee bobble but moving nicely. Nice line and good work and made the first panel. Low and had to work to slow them down to get back online. Got the second panel and nice last leg to ring.  Quiet work and he gets the shed. Very quiet at the pen and the ewes want to break to the side but Bodie is holding well.   All five face off and one puts her head down and Bodie greets her with teeth for a DQ.

I have to take off for a bit and will write when i get back so will miss the next couple of runs.

Joni  Tietjen and Bill had a nice run and I managed to see the shed, pen and shed which was pretty darn nice and her score of 177 reflects that. Tierney Graham and Brisco had 150 and I could hear the crow clap for her pen and single. Noelle Williams and Lad for 113. Chris Jobe and Fly had a 145. Suzy Applegate and Coop had  

Tommy Wilson and Meg had a nice steady pace throughout,  The ewes want to stop and graze in the heat.   The fetch was nice and sweet turn at the post. Nice drive with a bobble at the first panel with the dog  did a circle at the first panel and then pull thru and rest of drive was nice. About 15 seconds in the shed and they marched off the two and off to the pen.  Meg is holding the side but the ewes go halfway around then back at the mouth. One breaks to the backside andMeg stops her but the others join her. Patient as one ewe keeps putting her face to Meg and she snapped at her so she jumped as she made contact, quick and short. Now another ewe moves forwards and meets more of the same. This is  a difficult set that is not convinced.  Time runs out as Med holds her ground.  117

Shauna Gourley and Keli are working the ewes at the mid day heat.   Nice outwork and quiet turn at the post.  Slow first leg but straight and made the panels. Nice lines all around and a slow trot to the ring.  The ewes drop their heads to grazes and she set it up and gets the shed.  A sheep broke and Keli covered and all back at the pen.  Time out

Derek Fisher and Jen, with a bright white shirt and cap. Jen goes to the right. Some rough spots, missed fetch and turn was good. Drive was wobbly but good, made panels. with try. Missed attempt but got second attempt. Working at pen but sheep don't want in but Pen Master Derek is holding firm. Zen arrives and sheep march in and a huge round of applause.  As he lines them up in the shed ring for the single but time runs.

Dennis Gellings and Jiggs and sheep had to pull to one side on the fetch.  Turn was nice and first line was nice and made it.  Spilt the sheep on the drive but got them together and sheep bolted. But straight to the panels and nicely eld.  Wide turn  but nice to ring.  Came in smartly for the last two. Dennis worked hard and got the pen and was very quiet.  got the single quickly! score of 159

Kay Stephens and Storm, a crowd favorite.  Sent to the right.  Very nice outwork and good fetch.  Taking her time at the post turn and it is smooth.  First line is at a nice trot and made the panels. Sheep dropping low on the drive but gets them back online.  Low at the second panel, they stop to graze , then missed lowed.  Fast line to the ring and she set it up nice and gets the shed. The seep want to hang on the side of the pen so she has to work to get them to the mouth.  But the gate slipped and ht the sheep on the butt and they hopped out and are in the back of the pen. They work them back up to the pen and she works them in.  Less than a minute for the single.  Dog goes to water and as she comes out time run out as she sets up.  138

Alasdair MacRae and Gail. Alasdair won the Nationals 11 times Ray announced  and the crowd claps. Gail goes out then looks like she is going to cross but he redirects her and she takes it at warp speed.   She marches in n the lift and they start. They want to break to the left but he stops that flow and gets them online.  Nice work and gets them through the panels and to his feet.  Nice turn and they trot off for the first legs and go back and forth but gets them settled.  One ewe leads the packet with her head high and he stops that break. Gets them back and walking nice to the mouth of the drive gate and they don't want to go through. They broke low and went past the panel and got back online. Nice easy job across for the crossdrive and going high on last part of drive but he recover to push them through. Wide turn  but got them back online on the last leg. Alasdair walks into the ring, looks like he is casual then works on lining them.  Calls Gael in for the last two and she holds them tight.   They walk up nice to the pen and it is like a ballet dance, smooth and graceful. One tiny step at a time and he closes the gate. Nice pen! Over two minutes left and to the ring for the single. He calls Gael on the last one and she stops the ewe with a big smile. 166

Went for lunch and back again.  Ron Burkey and Shadow was 127.  Michael Gallagher and Flo had a grip at the pen. Emil Luedecke and Zac had  spectacular run. Overall subtle touch to his handling and good energy and great partnership said Steve Shodin.  A lesson in handling for a 172. George Stambulic and Nan were going well but a grip at the last leg. DQ. Joni Tietjen and Sage had a sweet run going and a superb post turn. At the first panel, one ewe busted up the hill, no reason and Sage was working it back when was called off.

I went to the Nursery to see Scott and Alice run. Very nice run, smooth and the ewes were heavy but Alice marched them. Just skimmed the second panel and working them in the pen but sadly time ran out. Don't know the score as we left.

Back at Open, Mich Ferraro and the handsome Clive had a 85. Patrick Shannahan and Vangie had a 162 and I was sorry that I missed it. I heard it was nice. Donna Eliason and Ben worked the sheep into the pen as I walked up and it was quiet. In the ring and they are look very much in sync trying to get that single. Ben is posed like a race horse and is a striking, rough tri coat dog.  The sun just shines off his coat.  Donna is patient to work a collared ewe out and lines them up.  She is quite patient and they make a nice shed with the ewe trying to dart back but see Ben's eyes and turn back. Very sweet! 120

Dave Imas and Tip are a well matched pair that set the scene on fire in the PNW. A tall, rangy smooth coat Tip scans the horizon for his sheep. Dave, dressed in blue from his hat to his pants waits confidently as Tip races off.    Lift was a wee but off but back online and trotted the ewes down the fetch line, through the gates and to his feet. Nice and quiet and tidy turn at the post. The ewe face off Tip but he convinces that a trot to the first panel is wise on their part. Just a tad offline then back and still nice and smooth. The ewes seem to like how Tip handles them. They try to break low but quick handling by Dave saves that and then through the panels. Tight turn and nice drive so far and you can hardly hear Dave give his whistles. Nice pace and the ewes and little low but not much.  Adjustment then one step too high, then fixed.  At the last moment the ewe missed the second panels low , then wide turn but back online.   He had the shed but the ewe were out of the ring so he had to redo. He slowly works it and lined them up.  He gets it with a nice style.  Nice work at the pen and to the ring again.  Some maneuvering goes on but he runs out of time. 153

Michael Gallagher and Cain. Nice outwork and good turn at post. Sheep hard to move but moved off dog, but off at the gate but got them through, little high but online and ewes are trotting. Nice work at the second panel as they wanted to slip by and he got them properly through the gate.  The ewes want to drop their heads and eat and are slow moving. In the ring and lining them up.  He works the packet and get the last two o the head.  Time seems frozen while he works the ewes slowly into the mouth of the pen.   One ewe break and does a circle then returns. He works hard and slam the gate and one second later the time is done. 139

I am almost out of power so it made end soon!

Jen Glen sent Lad on the come bye side.   Nice and he picks them u and they think about being offline but she works hard and gets them online and they try to break and she pops them back online again. Nice go so far and headed straight for the gates but the darn buggers burst to the side and slip by! Last part of fetch is nice and slow trot. Relatively smooth turn, then lined up nice and then a small bobble but fixed it and looking nice. The sheep want to break and one bust and a grip for a DQ. The  ewes want to stop and graze and heavy to move. DQ

Mike Burks and Sport, a very talented blue merle are from CA. Mike is a super nice guy and loves his dogs.  Sport races up on the comebye side.  Sport os holding the pressure on the fetch quite well. Little offline and doing well. Made the first gate and nice turn. Looks to be online but can't tell and made the panels.  In the ring and setting up the sheep.  The sheep run out of the ring.  Back again, and missed attempt.  He gets the shed and Sport regathers them in the ring. But it wasn't called (maybe out of ring) so he redoes the shed.  Quick pen, WOW!!   He calls him in for a single but I don't think was held and the ewe burst through the fence in front of me. DQ. And then ewe burst back to the field on another panel. But Denise Leonard was sitting in front of me so I was safe. She has been helping me when I can't see what is going on so be sure to thank her.

One of my fav handlers is up next. Allen Mills and Sis. He is the old fashioned gentleman who wrote me a "Thank You Note" for blogging at one finals and I loved that. As in handwritten. And a stamp.  Sis went out nice and looking good so far but the ewes are getting tougher to work. It's hot, they are hungry and they didn't sign up for this and they punched out on their union card. Nevertheless, Sis is working the crabby ewes are testing Sis and she is bringing them down and it looks like they are going to miss the fetch panels but make it.  Nice turn and drive going good, little break but under control. Dead center through the panels and tight turn and lined them up for the crossdrive. Ewes break into a run and little high,low then online.The wind is picking up. Low just before the gate (Thanks Jack Knox for the help) and turning towards the gate, go through, turn is nice and to the ring. Offline but back. Shed was clean and dog in control. Pen approach was good,  pressure was good but sheep weren't in the game (I was taking pixs so Jack watched the run so the words are his!) 136

Bridget Strang and Treat. Bridget and her gang have been running a superb trial. Tons of vendors, goods and food. Well run and not lacking for anything. Outrun was little tight at top, good lift and got the fetch panels and ice turn.  Dog pushed the ewes offline on the first leg but got back online to make the gates. Wide turn and was online but low on center of drive. Got them lined up and the ewes drop their heads to graze. Got them going and looked like she was going too high but got the gate and wide turn. Dog put pressure on single ewe, left the flock and rejoined (Jack is telling me while I type) In the ring and good shed. (Be sure to buy Jack a beer for helping.) At the pen and the ewes mill about and one breaks and tries to go to the exhaust but Treat brings the ewe back and they keep working but time runs out. (Kathy Knox, your spouse has been a great help as I am trying to take pixs and blog and he is doing the commentary. He gets five bonus points) Score is 133

Amanda Milliken and Monty. Outwork was good, maybe little tight but good, lift was good, good fetch, made panels and sheep steady and in control. Pace is good and turn was tight, dog still in control and nice pace.  Ewes dropped to graze two thirds of drive and dog is working hard to move them.  Moves them out and they want tp break but he tucks them in to make the gate, good turn  and start of a good crossdrive.  The ewe try to make a low break at the second panel but made the gates. Good turn and sheep challenging the dog. One ewe stamps. The last leg is slow as the ewes challenging. We couldn't  see what happened but the sheep jumped. But the sheep are in the ring and Amanda calls Monty in for a sheep but not a hold so she regathered and got another one quickly. She is walking to the pen with the sheep on her heels and everyone just froze. Ewes want to break but Monty is in the way.  She eases them in and gets the pen.  They all ambled to the ring and the ewes are calm and she swiftly  gets the single. The ewe had no idea what happened but Monty was in front of her. Score is 166

Ron Enzeroth and Mick. A fellow Texan so I gotta root for him, Light blue shirt and nice cowboy hat is a good model for this day, Mick goes out nice, good lift but the ewes break hard to the left. He gets them back online and makes the panel. Good lies, good pace and moving well.   Nice approach to Ron and he settles them at the post and has a nice turn,wee bit wide but gets them back online.  The ewes want to trot off and Mick holds the pressure. Made the panels and little wide and online.  Good crossdrive, one of the best so far. Nice shed and  calm work.  Nice pen and good control. In the ring with 3:30 on the clock. He gets the last one on the head, NICE. Score 189!

Terri Warner and Nic. Nice outrun and she go a hold of him at the top.  Sheep are coming down nicely. Looks good but the sheep try to bypass the fetch panel but to no avail as she makes them go through. Nice walk to the post (I am down to 3% on battery at this point)  Terri is handling the ewes well and they turn on the dog but he gives them the get along look and they comply.  Bit of a wide turn and offline but Terri work hard to get them back online. A bobble but back online and her skillful handling put the ewes through the first drive gate.  The sheep try to break but she stops them for a nice turn.  Low on crossdrive,  Sheep stop to graze. She gets them going and they trot off. High but she works them to fix it.  She makes the second panel but working hard and good turn. In the ring and she works to line them up. Almost and she sets it up and gets it. One ewe tries to break over Nic but is stopped in her tracks.  One ewe makes a break at the pen but Nic stops
 her and tucks her back in.  Time runs out. Nice handling and a good team. You can see the true partnership.   score 138

sorry it took long to upload but i coudnt get a connection for most of afternon



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the updates, Diane. I think someone should be going to buy your coffee and pastries for you so you can keep watching/typing. If I were there, I would :) !

gvmama said...

Good going Diane. i know it's exhausting especially when you are not feeling top notch, but i want you to know we ALL appreciate your efforts!