Marathon rap up

Got home late Monday night. I am still recovering from our two week trial marathon.

Turns out the One Tree trial wasn't as bad as I thought. We picked up like a caravan of carnies moved two hours down the road to the Hilltop trial. The field was gorgeous. The sheep were super hard reminded me a bit of Sturgis sheep last year. You dog would be moving them along nicely and they would just turn around and stomp your dog into the ground. The first day started off crazy 45 Pro Novice dogs and only 9 scores. It took longer to exhaust your sheep then retire from your run. I ended up getting DQ'd from the first pro novice and retiring in the Open. Isla tried hard but it was not worth the frustration on her part and mine.

Lisa, Jenny and I in our stampede gear.

After two days we moved on the the Calgary Stampede. This was my second time and I felt more prepare. The sheep were tough to pen and it was really luck of the draw. You really only needed a pen and a good chute time to get into the finals. In the second go round I had my sheep in the pen and was about three inches from closing the gate and I ran out of time.
In the end it was Pam Boring and Mirk who pulled off the ultimate $10,000 prize.

I stole this pic from Lisa. I just love Pam's look on her face. She had just closed the pen gate and looked up at the clock to realize she had just beat the previous fast time by one second to win.

I'd rather not talk about it

Lisa and I are chillin at the One Tree trial. Since my performance was less than stellar and I would rather not talk about it. I decided to talk about how much I love my trailer. Affectionately known as the Hilton it is my home from home.

It has all the creature comforts and all my critters are comfortable.

Washington update

Hi all,

Unfortuently we did not have internet at the hotel while we were in Washington. We are home and are picking up the trailer to head out to the One tree trial. The drive was great and the weather was nice and cool for trialing. After the first day my neck got better and I was able to drive the second leg of the trip. We had a great time.

Others didn't have as much fun.
This poor guy never saw us coming and never had a chance. We are still looking for his head.

The field was small but very tricky with rolling hills and the Macdonalds add some extra tricks like this maltese cross. I had only seen this done in videos. Luckily I grasped the concept and mastered it both runs.

The open class had 60 dogs running in it. This meant very early mornings. Which is not something I really enjoy.
Saturday we ran on a mix of Barbs and Barb crosses. Most of the course was straight forward. The sheep took some convincing the get through the Maltese cross and penning them proved to be difficult.
Saturday we ran mid morning and got an 85. Isla ran good and was listening. She seems to be back to her old self. Finished up 9th.
Sunday the course and the sheep changed. The sheep were Scotties and hair crosses. The course had a blind cross drive, Maltese cross and a single. That's right folks a blind cross drive. And actually a little bit of the drive away was blind as well. Needless the say I was shaking in my boots. We ran 4th around 6:30 Am. Had a great run but never got the single. We scored a 92. Our score held on all day to take 1st place.
So the good news is we are now going to run at the USBCHA finals. Isla now has around 18 points.

Ready set go!!!

My mini trial Marathon begins today. Lisa and I are picking up Jenny on the way to Washington. First time I have ever been to Washington. I am very excited get to meet new people and see some different dogs work. Unfortunately I woke up this morning with a giant crink in my neck and I can only turn my head to the left. Lisa may I have to drive part way this morning and I will take some of her fancy muscle relaxers.
Here what my you get to look forward to.
Washington June 25-29
Ian and Joanne's June 30-July 2
Irricanna July 3-4
Calgary Stampede July 5-6
The good news is I got an air card so now I can blog on the road. I am very excited.
Stay tuned for Washington Hy jinx.

I love this!!!

If only dog handlers were treated like Rockstars.

Together again

Last weekend I headed down to Lethbridge to watch the AAC regionals I mostly went to see Finn and visit with friends. I had Bracken and Craig in tow. Jenn took some family photos. Finn is so much bigger than my two. Not sure what Jenn is feeding him.

Craig and Finn were best of friends.

Bracken on the other hand really wanted nothing to do with he long lost brother. If you look closely you can see her lip curling up.

I have said all along that Bracken is very much like her mother. She is so stoic and always acting so mature. Not to mention the party police.

Much different than her clown of a brother

Thanks Jenn for all the great pics.

What have I done

Ask some of my closest friends I can not say no to anyone. I get my self in some very sticky predicaments because of it. This week I said yes to two things that I may live to regret.

First I told my sister that I would take care of her dogs for almost two weeks. My mom will no longer take care of them because they always runaway on her. Jade and Luna are city dogs who love their parents very much so much they will do anything to get to them. Which includes scaling six foot chain link. Along with food and dog beds they can with bark collars. Oh good they jump,run and bark. Notice the big heavy canvas tarp on the top of the run. Day 1 almost over hope it works. Oh I almost forgot they are also terrified on thunder. Weather this week is suppose to be hot an humid which translates into evening thunderstorm.
Regret #2
I have a rancher that brings his dog for lessons. He phoned and said he had a sheep he needed to get rid of and would I like to take it maybe I could use it as a doggin sheep. A Dorper ewe lamb from last year.

I don't think it is going to make a doggin sheep. What Trevor neglected to say was that this little lady thinks she is a person.

Craig thought she looked like fun. To much fun so Lamby had to go back into the field. Petting Zoo's beware I will be phoning you!