Southwest Oklahoma Stockdog Trial
Altus, OK
April 18, 2009
This was the 1st OSDA sheep trial of the year. I ran Tess in the Ranch class and walked away with a score of 68 (the 3rd highest score of the day including Open!) and the win. Tess worked like a pro and never faltered. I was so proud of her. I was walking on clouds. Then Josh came in 2nd with Pete in the Ranch class as well. Pete made a beautiful outrun and worked so smoothly. Way to go guys! Then at the end of the day a Buddy Brace was run. We all put our names into a hat and they were draw out randomly. Guess whose names were the last in the hat? Yep, me and Josh. We carried on and acted disgusted by having to run together, but secretly I was happy to be on Josh's team. (Don't anybody tell him that or I'll never hear the end of it!) LOL We ran the full course, which neither of us has done before, not to mention our dogs hadn't either. It was complete chaos from the beginning. Every command I would give Tess Pete would take, then Josh would correct him and Tess was taking his corrections. Needless to say I think we saw smoke coming from our dogs ears by the end of the run, but believe it or not we completed the course and won! We couldn't believe it. It was so much fun!
Bar L Cattle and Sheep Trial
Lexington, OK
May 9-10 2009
Lexington, OK
May 9-10 2009
The cattle were run on Saturday and Josh and Pete ran in the Ranch class. Pete was taking all his commands and Josh ran the course so well. The boys walked away with the win! Good job guys.
Sunday was the judged field trial on sheep. I made a leap of faith and decided to move up to Open Ranch. I was a nervous wreck the whole time leading up to the trial. I wasn't sure I had made the right decision. I knew it wasn't impossible, but I didn't feel like we were completely prepared. We only have 5 acres that is divided into 3 pastures so my training area is small to say the least. Tess has a beautiful outrun just not much chance to show it. I headed for the post and was telling Tess to "look" hoping she'd spot the sheep. No such luck, but then she perked up and I thought she saw them so I sent her. She was running out wide and beautiful, but then it became obvious she still couldn't see the sheep. I stopped her when she started drifting in far off the 300-350 yard mark (WAY farther than she'd ever run out before) where the sheep were set out and asked her for a "look back" but she just couldn't see them. So I left the post to help her find them. I only walked maybe 25 yards or so when she spotted them and ran out nicely to bring them in. I was still proud of her for finally finding the sheep, and a little disapointed that I hadn't prepared her better. So, I made it up to her by helping exhaust the rest of the trial. She absolutely loved it and helped save the sheep from being lost into the outer relms of the universe by an over eager dog. So all in all, I was still happy with my girl. She gives me her all everytime.
On an even better note.... Josh and Pete won the Ranch class! Man these guys are smokin this year! Pete is really turning into a great dog and Josh has come so far with his handling abilities. In order to keep Josh from getting the big head, I always tell him Pete is doing so well because I started him! LOL Josh has done a terrific job with him and although it was extremely difficult for me to give him up, I couldn't be happier with what Josh has done with him. Way to go guys! Keep cleaning house!
So the next trial is the Celtic Festival Trial in Stillwater on June 20. I plan to take Tess for the Open Ranch class, and Blaze and Nan in the Ranch class. Josh is on call and won't be able to make it. Good, maybe I'll have a chance! LOL
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