The boys and I loaded up and headed out early to drive the 100 miles to Dixon where we arrived around 9am. We gave everyone a good walk and then hung out, visiting with the new arrivals from all over the country and with local friends. Max's breeder made it down from Washington so it was great to catch up with her. We watched all the advanced trial classes compete - I don't know my way around the herding rules yet so it was fun to learn.
Finally around 3:00 it was time for the HT (Herding Test) class briefing. I was the only one who had never trialed in herding before! (The judge seemed concerned about if we'd had training or not LOL) But Beth was running Stan's mom Maude and sister Bea so she was as nervous as I was.
Our turn rolled around and I walked in the ring remembering everything Deb and Melinda had drilled into our heads about what to do. Stan approached the sheep very much under control at my side, sat nicely while I removed the leash and stayed while I walked to the sheep until I released him. The initial contact is always the part I bobble and Stan split the sheep. However, I remembered to just go to the two sheep and let him bring me the third back and then we began heading for the cones. I was so happy to see he was much more enthusiastic than he has been lately and I didn't have to call him back to work. It might have been good for him to have to wait all day to see his sheep. I did have to pause once while he pooped but he did great! Before I knew it, the judge was telling us we'd completed our required turns and I could stop him. Stan sat and recalled and we were done!
It felt like we were in the ring a long time, so imagine my surprise when our score sheet gave our time as 1:35. Stan now has one of the two HT legs needed for his first herding title! Maude and Bea also qualified!
Some random photos from the day....
Is it my turn yet? Is it? Is it?
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Now I have a 75 minute bike ride to get done. I was dreading it on the drive home but now I think it will loosen up my achy legs. More tomorrow!
5 comments:
Congratulations on your herding leg Stan and Muppet! Hope you have a great time at your entire National, and that the bike ride went well.
Katharine
Congrats! But what's with the geese?
Both sheep AND duck herding trials offered! It's really funny to watch the duck herding - it takes really tight control of the dog or the ducks trigger a bit of prey drive.
Congratulations Stan! Did Max compete?
Mary
No, Max is only doing agility - it's the only thing he really cares about! :)
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