USBCHA National Finals-Semi

Good Morning!

Diane Pagel and Barbara Stewart are blogging in the clear, crisp dawn .. huddled over our (most welcome) coffee, feels like high 40’s

Judges Bruce Fogt of Ohio and Bevis Jordan of England

15 min .. 5 sheep (2 collared) .. left-hand drive .. shed (any 2 uncollared) .. pen .. single (either collared)

Judge Fogt will call the first shed, Judge Bevis Jordan will call the single.

 

Bill Orr and Sly are up first.  Bill sent Sly to left on outrun.  Sly left straight up field, and Bill stopped him immediately, giving a redirect and Sly kicked out nicely.  Sly swings wide around the drive panels and turns uphill, but begins to drift in a bit tight.  The sheep lift a early on his approach, and as he passes, they break hard left to the set-pens.  Some zig-zagging at the top and he has them in hand and under way.  First part of fetch a bit off to left but the correct well and make the fetch panels.  It’s a nice line to the post with a tidy turn.  Drive leg a bit wobbly but made the drive gates.  Crossdrive started nicely, but became wobbly for second half and missed the cross panels high.  Good recovery, with a few bobbles on the third leg, and arrived calmly in the shedding ring.  Approx 5:50 remaining.  Setting his sheep up well, Bill patiently working with his sheep, taking his time, sheep calm, and got a nice split and good shed on first attempt.  Sly regathers and on the way to pen.  The sheep try to pass the pen but Sly is there and cancels their plans.  He brings them back to the front and they slowly move to mouth.  They’re resisting, turning to face outward and looking over their options.  Bill and Sly working well to keep them from escaping and they remain quietly in the mouth.  They begin to turn, face inward, and ease into pen.  1:44 remaining for the single.  Again, the sheep try to exit toward the exhaust but Sly is right there to stop them.  Sheep calm, grazing in shed ring, 0:40 left.  Bill gets a single split, but two other ewes break, deciding to come with her.  Time runs out.  Score  134.5

 

Maggi McClure and Lil.   Maggie sends Lil to left on outrun.  Arrives well behind her sheep, which milled about a little but lifted quietly.  Lil taking her time to get them started right and they come down the fetch on line.  Halfway to panels, sheep veered hard left, but lil got them back on line and they made the panels.  Still leaning a little left on bottom half but close to centerline second half.  Turn a little bit wide but very nice otherwise,  Good start to the drive    Cross starting very well .. drifting a bit low, Lil moves up, turns them back to line.  They turn left right at panels but Lil catches them and slips thru the gap.  Lil flanks and 2 sheep turn to pull thru but she’s stopped and they change their mind, sliding along back of gate.  Good third lag.  They’re in the shedding ring, quiet, grazing, with 6:50 remaining.  Maggie begins her work, gets a split but the shed ewes split again in opposite directions, one peeling back, and the attempt is missed.  They have the sheep lined out, but the sheep try to break and wind up outside ring.  Lil brings them nicely back to Maggie, they are lining out again, but reluctant to give much of an opening.  Beautiful split, as three walk off and two stand their ground.  But as Lil comes in to hold, one of the standing ewes breaks hard past Lil to the exiting sheep, and Lil goes with her, but grips as the ewe charges on.  Disqualified.

 

Ray Copeman and Jill.    Ray sends Jill to left on the outrun.  The sheep are set on the side of the low hill used for the Nursery course.  Most of the dogs this morning are looking to yesterday’s set-out for their sheep.  Ray takes his time and resets Jill a couple times as she scans the old set several times.  Ray sends her on her way, left, and she runs out nicely wide.  Arrives well behind her sheep with a fairly good lift.  But the sheep immediately break left then right at the top.  Jill straightens them out, tho a bit left for part of the top, Jill brings them right thru the center of the fetch panels.  The bottom of the fetch is on line and good pace.  A little deep around the post, as the sheep want to draw toward exhaust.  Jill gets them back on their way, it starts well but the sheep pull right all the way to panels, where they try to veer around to right at last minute, but Jill catches it and eases them thru.  On the crossdrive,  sheep drawing to right across the course, dipping low, but Jill fixes things and they made the panels well.  Bit of a wide turn but Jill brings them back right on line for a nice third leg.  Sheep seem to like this dog and behaving fairly well.  In shedding ring with 7:55 remaining.  Calm sheep , Ray sets up his shed.  Sheep taking a longing look at the exhaust but remain calm.  Jill is adjusting very well to contain her sheep, partners are working well together.  A single splits but it’s a collared.  Nice, tidy shed .. re-grouped quickly and brought calmly to front of pen and the sheep show no desire to go in but this seasoned team is stopping any wayward thoughts.  Over 3:30 left.   Slowly they are easing them in and one fatg white face breaks to the back of the 8’ x 9’ pen. They are together now and being worked back.  The white face seems to be a troublemaker.    But they are snuck in for a nice pen and quickly brought out to the shedding ring to do the single.  Ray is the former Nursery Champion with Sally.   Right now he has 49 sec left and two break instead of a single. Regrouped and working the sheep and got a fast single with 23 seconds to spare and the crowd went wild. What a great single to start the day! Score is 151.5

 

Scott Glen and Don.  Scott is from new Dayton, Alberta. Don goes left with Don on the outrun.  Don runs nicely wide up the field’s edge and well in behind his sheep.  The lift is quiet and straight down off the hill, the sheep make a small dodge to the left, but Don keeps them centered and under way.  Slowing at the panels, Don makes a small adjustment as they try to veer left again, and eases them thru the panels.  Second half straight and at a slow run to post   A pause, and a tight  turn around the post.   On to the drive leg, they pull left, but Don corrects them, moves them a bit more right, and on line .. they slow approaching panels, but Don quietly moves forward and they pass thru center of gate.  A good start on crossdrive, on line and steady trotting pace, the sheep pick up speed but stay near line, maybe a little low approaching panels, but Don nudges them up and thru center of panels.  The best turn to third leg this morning, and on line to the shedding ring as Don holds against the sheep’s pressure, trying to pull toward exhaust, all the way.  7:45 remaining.  Scott settles his sheep, they watch Don who quietly waits his signal. One uncollared willing to leave, but other 4 tightly bunched.  Sheep start a 3:2 split with a collar on each side, allowed to regroup,  same gap again.  The split happens, a collar wants to go with them, but Scott and Don handily turn her back and get the shed.  To pen with 4:38 left.  Don brings the sheep inside Scott’s reach where they pause, Scott slows works them around to face inward and Don steps up to apply the necessary pressure.  Leaders standing over the sill, and they pause.  Don shifts forward and they walk into pen. 2:45 remaining.  Sheep milling about a bit, separate, and the split happens quickly, getting their single.   Score  195.5, an outstanding score.

 

Pam Boring and Mirk.    Pam sends Mirk to left on outrun.  Nicely out and appeared to be good, behind her sheep but one ewe dashed about a wee bit, deciding to stay with her group.  Mirk brings them quietly off the hill, they pull left approaching the panels but Mirk brings them back into hand well and they make the panels.  One ewe pulls to left and others stray left, Mirk brings them online for a straight approach to post and nice turn.  A wig-wag after, but Mirk is there and they head off, well on line, to drive panels.  Halfway there the sheep pull right, Mirk works to keep them on line and thru right side of panels, followed by a beautiful turn to crossdrive.  The sheep start to run and string out,  pulling strongly to right, they pass low of cross panels.  Mirk gets them stopped, collected and onto third leg.  Same single ewe ‘outrider’ pulling to right side and exhaust, but Mirk keeps her with the packet and they are in the shedding ring with 7:45 left.  The first split comes fairly quickly and shed called.  6:50 remaining.  Mirk brings them at a slow jog to pen.  They stop outside of handler a turn to face dog,  Mirk eases them up to mouth of gate, 4 go in and the same single turns back to escape, but is still unwilling to commit to leaving alone.  Mirk working well and quietly, the sheep seem very comfortable with him.  Turns back and trots into pen with others.  5:00 remaining.  The split happened very quickly and Mirk came in to hold the single.  4:15 left.  Excellent work by one of the nicest women on the face of the earth, always willing to help someone in need.   Score  167.5

 

Amanda Milliken and Roz.  Amanda sends Roz to left on outrun.  Nicely out, The sheep turn slightly right on her approach but lift quietly and straight ahead on fetch.  Well on line, at a steady jog-trot.  They begin to pull left approaching gate, but Roz gave them a nudge and made the panels.  Straight and still on good pace to post, beautiful tight turn and quietly under way.  Walking out, they begin to pick up sped at mid-point, a little draw to left but Roz keeps them tucked in and thru center of panels.  Good turn to crossdrive and walk-trot on their way, this group also picks up speed at mid-point too and tries to dodge to right just in front of panels.  Roz makes strong move and sheep turn hard and make panels.  Fairly good turn to third leg, Roz brings them on line and into shedding ring with 8:30 remaining.  Amanda immediately goes to work , the sheep want to stay clumped but suddenly open and give Roz the gap.  Roz turned to the wrong set, but Amanda called her in and turned her to correct set and she turned them and carried them off.  To pen with 6:40 remaing.  Right into the mouth of the pen.  A little push and a black-face breaks hard around pen, Roz goes after her and narrowly avoids a grip.  Back at the entrance the sheep are milling and looking for escape.  Roz and Amanda work as tem to back the ewes in.  4:45 remaining.  Back to the ring, the split comes but the ewe dodges aggressively left and right as Roz drives her away, and is able to keep control.  The single is called.    Score   178.5

 

Rob Miller and Rex.   Rob sends Rex to left on the outrun.  Rex skims past the drive panels and continues nicely out to the corner, begins to pull in slightly and stops at 10 o’clk.  Rob whistles him up, Rob came in a bit tight, lift a tad off line.  Rex corrects quickly and establishes nice pace.  Sheep working calmly for Rex as he brings them straight on to panels.  Dead-center thru panels, and Rex brings them up to a quick trot, on line very nicely.  Slowing on approach to post, a little spread out on turn at post, but very well around.  Sheep stop, but under way again, another stop, but Rex moves them on firmly.  Sheep intent on the graze but Rex pressing them forward on a very good line to drive panels.  Trotting now, and another pass thru center of panels.  Excellent turn near panels to crossdrive.  Sheep trying to graze, Rex pushes them along, picks them up to a trot but they are heavy and try to fan out and eat again.  Rex wears a bit and tucks them in pushing them up to a trot again.  Beautiful line on crossdrive, but dealing with very hungry sheep.  Nicely thru panels.  Another very good turn and a straight line on third leg.  In shedding ring with 5:15 remaining and Rob goes right to work sorting his collared sheep to the back end, but the ‘colars’ don’t want to cooperate .. Gets his split, Rex moves to take them off, but one of the pair breaks much harder than the other .. Rex goes with that ewe, and grips.   Disqualified.

 

Bill Berhow and Coal from Zamora, CA.   Bill sends Coal left on outrun.  Coal goes out nicely wide and behind his sheep without stirring them.  Good, quiet lift and straight start but sheep veer left.  Coal brings them on line, at a good clip, and fast pace.  A flock of birds scarred up in front of sheep and spooked them, veering off to right and missed the fetch panels.  Regained a nice line and pace to post, and begin a good turn.  They swing a bit wide around the back, one ewe makes a hard break to fence but Coal easily regathers her.  Looks like a trouble-maker from here.  They are back on line on their way to drive panel, but same ewe traveling very high-headed and is one we vote to throw in jail.  Coal is working hard to keep her tuck in, holding a nice line to the fetch panels.  They walk thru as Coal works outward holding against the left draw.  A beautiful turn to crossdrive, starts well with a nice steady trot, and Coal is holding the pressure very well.  Cross panels escape high to scrape past panels, followed by a bit of a wide turn, Coal tucks them back in nicely and a good line to the shedding ring.  That d**ned ewe is being a real pain for this team and leads a break  taking her buddies on a tour out of the shedding ring.  Coal gathers them back and moving nicely into the face of the ewes.  7:45 remaining.  “Porkchop’ con’ts her antics, challenging Coal at every turn.  This team is working very patiently with a challenging situation, Coal came in for a tidy shed and re-gathers with ease.  To the pen with 5:30 remaining.  Bill is working the sheep quietly into the pen mouth, and they walk readily in, penned within 0:15 seconds.  Mighty quick.  Back to the ring, with our trouble-maker still being feisty, and Bill wisely singles her, but it is not called when she breaks back to the group.  Bill resets his sheep and prepares again 3:30 remaining.   The two collars are hanging on the outside, singling the ornery ewe out and she breaks back again.  But staying to the outside, a  quick third attempt, and Coal carries her away.  Score 128.0

 

Amelia Smith and Mirk.  Amelia sends Mirk left on outrun.  He rounds the drive panelsand turns uphill a bit tight, but sees his sheep and self-corrects, casting out.  Slowing to a stop at 10am, Amelia urges Mirk onAfter lift, and a straight start, the sheep set a good pace to, and straight thru the fetch panels.  Con’t on line and pace to the post.  beautiful turn at the post, the sheep turn on dog at start of drive leg but Mirk eases forward, they turn and con’t.  Shortly they try to stop and graze, fanning a bit, but Mirk moves in and they pull a bit right.  Correcting to centerline, they again get the munchies until Mirk pushes them forward and straight on throught the panels.  They draw a bit left and wide, but Mirk collects them and finds the line for the crossdrive.  Sets a slower walk/jog pace to start. The sheep slow to graze, but upon pushing them forward, one stalls and threatens to fall back.  Mirk adjusts and rejoins her with the group.  They stall slow and fan out in front of cross panels, Mirk moves to tuck them in and they move quickly forward but miss low at panel.  Mirk flanks to turn but the sheep over-react and reverse past the panels low.  Mirk quickly moves to contain the break and brings them back to line.  A good third leg brings them to shedding ring with 5:10 remaining.  Amelia goes right to work and quickly accomplishes the shed in less than one minute.  To the pen with 3:45 remaining.  They come into the mouth but don’t like it there and mill tightly looking for an escape route.  Two move into pen but one of the remaining sheep tries to break and takes the others with her as they break left.  Mirk expertly gathers the diverging sheep and returns them depp into the mouth.  One in, two willing, two with plans.  Good teamwork and timing takes all sheep into pen without further fuss.  To the single with 1:15 remaining.   A collar on each end, as she quietly tries to move them off, but the uncollared aren’t having it, sticking to their collared friends, and time runs out.  Score 123.5.

 

Sonia Craig and Walt.      Sonia sends Walt to left.  Walt starts out tight, but spies his sheep and flares out very nicely.  Continuting to cast out well, he arrives well behind his sheep for a nice, gentle lift.  Nice easy start, Sonia is making sure the fetch proceeds kindly.  Off line a bit to left, quickly corrected to centerline.  The sheep veer suddenly right but a quick save tucks them right through the panels. A good pace on lower half with a tight approach and turn at post.  One high-headed collared ewe is looking over her options but Walt is crushing her dreams.  They take up an ambling pace on the drive leg, Walt nixing any thoughts of grazing, picks them up to a trot.  Walt goes a bit wide left the sheep veer right off line, Walt covers and the sheep break hard left, one swinging around panels, some thru, some not, a wide turn to crossdrive.  They came low on a fast crossdrive, bolting ahead toward panels, they come too low and pass inside of cross panels, with the high-headed ewe getting hetting revenge.  A  nice turn to third leg and well into shedding ring, calmly.  The high-headed ewe is testing Walt and manages to lead her group from the ring.  Walt returns them to Sonia, who goes right to work, 6:30 remaining.  They are well-sorted for a shed, as Sonia works them patiently.  A nice, tidy shed and Walt walks them off to pen calmly with over 5 minutes left.  Sonia, a very nice handler who we admire.  Sonia shows the sheep she’s someone to respect with her fancy pen dance as they approach, calmly turn, and walk right into the pen in under one minute.  She walks sheep quietly into shedding ring 3:00 remaining.  She singles the high-headed trouble-maker who faces off to Sonia and looks for a way around her as Walt immediately sweeps in to enforce, and carries the single away.  Score  165.0

 

Lora Withnell and Nell.  Lora sends Nell left.  Nell casts out to the verge and turns uphill, well off and behind her sheep without them even raising their heads.   A quiet lift, but the sheep move slowly off to left a bit and Nell brings them back, they con’t to put pressure on Nell to the left until she puts themon centerline halfway to panels.  Bringing them up to a slow lope she pushes them straight on throught the panels and con’t the good pace to post.  Sunndely the sheep come to a halt and try to graze, a bit of wobbling getting them restarted, trotting to post and around.  They try for some bites of grass, but Nell moves them on to the driveaway.  A walking pace, allows them some grabs at grass.  Nell wearing slightly to keep them moving, they take a sudden turn to right approaching panels, but Nell responds quickly and guides them to panels.  Nell comes around in front of her sheep just ahead of panels, sheep startle, but Nell’s correction is so quick, they don’t move off, and Nell regains her place pushing them straight through panels.  A good start to the crossdrive, the sheep build up to a canter, then again slow to an amble, drawing right, the slide by the cross panels on the right side.  On line, but a slow start to the third leg, Nell picks them up to a trot, these sheep are willing to fan out and are drawing a bit right toward exhaust.  Nell’s right on it and bring them straight to shedding ring.  6:00 remianing.  Lora settles her sheep, and begins to move them as no two uncollared are paired.  A 3:2 split begins and Nell starts to move but Lora halts her as there is a collar in each group.  Lora and Nell con’t to work together, keeping sheep calm and shifting the uncollared outward, the split happens and Nell moves them away smartly.  Gathered and working slowly at the pen.  Nell burst in and the sheep scattered but all back in control now.  Two minutes left on the clock.   Lora is working the sheep slowly and gets the pen. The sheep try to break but Nell stops them. They march smartly to the ring and are quite call. Three of the sheep wander off and she tucks them back in. She calls Nell in for a single but the ewe pops back in the group and she runs out of time. Score is 125.5

 

(Lori Perry blogging while Diane takes pictures)

 

Jennifer Glen and Lad.  Jennifer sent left and the dog crossed on the outrun.  Two redirects, three redirects the dog going way left now.Lad is behind the sheep, good lift, slow pace on the fetch, sheep wanting to break back.  Another break at the top of the fetch.  Through the fetch gates and second half of fetch is better pace and line.  She has a good turn around the post.  Beginning of drive going nicely,  then a bit off line.  Sheep straighten out and go nicely through the gates.  A nice turnsheep coming low on the cross drive, Jen makes a correction and sheep are back on line, sheep veered , four went high and one went through.  Nice tight turn and the sheep are coming at a fst pace to the shedding ring and Lad had them under control.  Jen walks confidently to the ring .  There is one white face with a collr that seems to be a trouble maker.  Jen is still sorking to set up the shed and the trouble maker keeps eying to break out.  Lad is holding the sheep quite well in the ring and Jen is maneuvering the trouble maker out of the back.  Whe takes her first two and marches them quickly out of the ring.  With 3 minutes left she heads to the pen.  She has them looking into the pen and the seasoned team is looking well.  They march them in smartly into the pen.  She has a trouble maker sorted to the back but the sheep breaks back.  She tries again but the surly ewe breaks back.  She has seconds left on the clock.  The collared sheep has been split but Lad was not able to hold her and time ran out.   Score  113.0

 

Dennis Gellings and Jan from Dawson Creek, BC.  Dennis sends Jan to the left.  She casts out wide and comes in well.  Lift good, but seep broke right at top, came down wide and sheep missed gates left.  Good turn around the post and heading out on drive leg.  Jan keeps them moving smartly, but they turn to face her in front of drive gates.  As she moved up, they bolted to right and around the drive panels and beyond.  Nan gathered them, a bit wide and a run along the crossdrive path ensued.  Pulling to the right as they progressed, the sheep passed low and well beyond the cross panels.  Jan got them stopped and brought them back to centerline, continuing neatly to the shedding ring with 8:00 remaining.  Dennis and Jan take their time setting up the sheep .. and get a 3:2 split, collars and uncollared.  Starting again, sheep calm, but begin milling as Jan moves up.  Uncollared on the end and ready .. Jan moves in smoothly and carries the ewes away with authority.  Jan gathers her sheep and brings them slowly to pen with 4:42 remaining.  A high-headed leader trots out and leads the band past pen to the right side.  Jan quickly shuts off the escape and they walk back to front of pen.  At the mouth, calmly standing facing Dennis, Jan steps in, they’re almost across sill and they break hard to escape left Dennis n Jan cover but they double-back and try the right side.  Jan very quick and cuts them off.  Calm their sheep, 2:15 remaining, back in front, sheep walking into mouth, pause, and all walk straight in.  To shedding ring for single, 1:15 remaining.  Dennis and Jan go right to work, 3:2 split no good, allowed to regather, collared sheep buried in middle, sheep bolt for exhaust Jan catches them outside ring and smartly returns them to Dennis, about to get the split as time runs out.         

 

Beverly Lambert and Joe.  Joe is a 3 yr old dog.  Beverly sends Joe left on outrun.  Joe casts out wide, well off his sheep, and depply behind his sheep.  A very nice, steady lift and sheep ambling on down fetch line.  On line.  Sheep pulling a bit left on fetch above panels.  Still a walk/trot pace.  Come straight thru the panels, the sheep pick up pace to a fast trot, to post.  Nicely around, these sheep check and stare when the dog comes up on them, them bolt at a fast trot.  Joe gets them under way on line, but sheep still show interest in dog.  Joe guarding the left draw well, sheep strung out a wee bit, and pass readily thru panels.  Super-tight turn along panel, and at a jog onto crossdrive.  Sheep halt, but Joe moves them on, resuming a steady pace, looks to be on line.  Still a great pace, sheep slow to walk ahead of panels and pass squarely thru cross panels.  Another beautiful turn onto third leg.  Joe brings them, 5 abreast, at a fast trot into shedding ring, 7:00 remaining.  Beverly and Joe go right to work, get their split right away, take the front 2 and Joe carries them smartly off.  Shed called.  To the pen in a nice group, Joe well off, sheep calm, one takes a good look at exhaust, but Joe adjusts and nixes her plans.  Beverly patient, sheep calm, face inward and amble into pen.  $:45 remaining.  Back to shed ring for single.  Sheep graze, calm, as Beverly moves to line them up, a collar on outside of a tight bunch.  Sheep begin to peel off to her left, one-by-one, as Joe steps in to block and hold the last-place collared ewe, and drives her away well in control.  Beautifully done, and gets a big hand from the crowd.   Score  192.5 … an outstanding score and second best so far.

 

Terri  Pelkey and Dash of Poway, CA.  Terri sends Dash to the left.  Dash casts out very nicely, well off his sheep at the top end, leaving them undisturbed.  Two were standing slightly apart from others, but Dash came in at good angle and tucked them in with a beautiful, quiet lift.  Sheep wobbled a bit on way to panels, but Dash smoothed things out and right thru panels and at a good pace and flow to the post.  A very nice turn around post as sheep pressure Dash on the back side, he holds them quite well.  On the driveaway, the sheep challenge Dash with a breakaway attempt but Dash is having none of it, and puts them back on line.  The sheep break right ahead of gate, Dash corrects for the break but while one goes thru, 4 cut around panels on the inside.  Nice start to the crossdrive, but sheep trying to fan out and slow.  Dash tucks them in and con’t their drive to cross panels, tho they’ve slowed to a fast walk, they con’t to try and grab bites of grass.  Dash listening well to Terri, keeps them jogging along and straight thru center of cross panels.  A tiny bit wide on the turn to last leg.  It looking quite tidy, with Dash firmly holding the pressure while sheep try to break left.  Entering shedding ring, there is one high-headed black-face taking a thorough look around at it’s escape options.  Terri settles her sheep, 5:30 remaining.  A beautiful, quick shed, one of the fastest of the day.  Dash brings the ewes to front of pen, appear willing, but the black-face leads a break around the right side.  Dash quickly counters the break and returns them to the front.  Near the mouth, the sheep now reluctant, heads inside, the black-face sidling to outside, and zags out around to right.  Sheep back in the mouth of pen, but the one ewe continues to plague their efforts.  1:30 remaining.  Front sheep grazing over sill, sheep at back end want to escape, Dash holding his side very well.  They reverse a few feet, then continuing to enter mouth of pen, but swirling out again.  This black-face is a problem.  Time runs out with two in pen and others hesitant.  Score  131.5

 

(Lyle Lad blogging with Barbara Stewart)

 

Tricia Guidry and Tipper from San Diego, CA.  Tipper is a 6yr old.  Tricia sends Tipper to the left.  Coming up the field tightly at first, inside drive panels, she casts herself out and looks good.  Well back behind sheep, laid down.  A very nice lift, gathering sheep that were somewhat spread out.  Nice fetch, quietly down the line.  Smoothly coming up on the fetch panels, sheep broke left to the draw for a moment but Tipper gathers them back to centerline.  They con’t to pressure left a bit, causing them slow to a walk.  Sheep stalled ahead of fetch, three pass thru gate but two skirt close around outside right.  Coming slowly to the post, it’s a tight turn to driveaway,  a bit of start/stop while getting sheep on line (8:19 remaining) The sheep take off at a run, pushing hard left, Tipper blocks them and brings them back on line ahead of drive panels, stalled, she moves them on, just sliding thru as they push hard to left.  Under way on crossdrive, it’s a bit of slow start as one big Coopworth turns twice to challenge the dog.  Some zig-zagging mid-course, a couple sheep turn on dog again, but she has them on their way, coming up on cross panels, they appeared well lined up, but they dodge left and she pushes them over the top.  Good line and better pace to the shedding ring.  3:24 remaining.  Tricia brings her sheep more to center and sets up her shed with the uncollared on the outside.  A bit of milling, uncollared at the back, Tipper working to hold.  1:38 remaining, sheep calm, but milling a bit.  The split comes but a collar tries to go too, Tipper comes in very nicely to turn the ‘collar back and carry away her sheep.  To the pen w less than a minute.  The sheep try to pass the pen on the left, Tipper blocks, but time runs out.   Score 88. 

 

Patricia MacRae and Cap.  Patricia sends 7yr old Cap to the left on outrun.  Cap out nicely, and behind.  Patricia gives a whistle or two at top end .. sheep lift and broke left,  Cap recovers, but sheep break left again to the draw.  Patricia being very careful getting under way and they come down the hill on line, but somewhat sauntering pace. All thru the panels successfully,Sheep trying to snatch grass, Cap moves them on to a relaxed trot.  Around the post well, two sheep want to lag the rest, but Cap works to keep them tucked in.  The two laggards con’t their rebellious ways up the drive leg, but again, Cap tucks them in.  Patricia moves Cap onto the sheep a bit more and picks them up to a faster pace.  Makes the drive panels well, and turns to crossdrive, on a fairly good line, Cap keeping them on the move, but still has the two Coopworth who want to drop off, having to work hard to keep them together.  Appears to be right on line, laced right thru the panels, followed by a beautiful turn to third leg.  Sheep spreading out a bit on approach, but back together and into the shedding ring with 5:55 remaining.  Sheep settle and graze, Patricia begins her assessment, working to get uncollared to one end.  First attempt, didn’t happen, crowd moas, Cap catches them at edge of ring.  Split happens quickly and the shed is called.  Cap works to bring sheep back into shed ring before moving on to pen.  3:35 remaining, looks like sheep want to go into pen.  Halt right at the sill, half of them in, but they reverse and move a foot or two out,  one ewe thinks about breaking, one, two, three times, but doesn’t seem to want to go alone,  good teamwork keeps her close and sheep finally surrender and enter pen.  To shedding ring with 1:45 remining.  Two uncollared ewe head slowly out of ring but Cap quickly rounds them up, they con’t to stand apart from others .. she gets the single, calls Cap in, the ewe turned to leave and Cap grips her.  Single was called because single was held before the grip. Score is 169.5


Michele McGuire and Molly.  Molly is sent to the left on outrun, but comes in halfway up, stopped, redirect, continues well.  Lift looks good and steady.  Sheep coming down straight, picking up pace.  Michele remains quiet and calm,  sheep slowing coming into the fetch panels, and straight thru to handler.  A few zigs to the post, followed by a wide turn with one disinterested ewe.  Drive begins, dog on pressure, holding line, sheep grazing off/on.  The sheep break and picking up speed.  Straight thru the panels followed by a nice turn to crossdrive.  Good crossdrive at a nice pace.  Sheep slow ahead of panels, Molly lines them up and eases them thru, but followed with a bit of a wide turn.  An easy gallop down the third leg to the shedding ring, the sheep slow as they arrive, trying to graze.  6:03 remaining.  The team works on setting up the sheep … the uncollared grouped to the outsid, but one collared ewe keeps walking thru the group.  Michele patient.  Two ready to move but a ‘collar’ wants to go too.  Michele quietly works on turning her toward other collar, continuing to work on getting the set-up.  The collars turn together, the split happens and the shed is quickly called.  Molly gathers as Michele moves to pen, 1:45 remaining, but sheep pick up speed and run past pen on right, around back, Molly brings them to front, a bit of milling, 3 sheep break, Molly stops them, back at front, 0:30 remaining.  Sheep stalled in mouth, trying to escape, Molly holding, and time runs out.    Score 146.5

 

(Diane Pagel blogging, thank you Lyle Lad.)

 

Terry Parrish and Bryce from Escondido, CA.  Bryce outruns to the left.  Well out, and nicely up the verge.  Casting out deeply behind the sheep, one ewe broke but Bryce tucked her in and they are coming down the fetch.  The same ewe does not want to stay with the others and presenting Bryce with a challenge to keep her contained.  Shee are pulling hard to the right, then the single ewe continues to try a escape to right.  Bryce works hard to tuck her back in.  Re-grouped and coming down the fetch at a fast trot , but sheep con’t to pull left.  The dog held the pressure, put them on line, and thru the gates, fast trot to the post and appears to be on line.  Fast, slightly wide turn at post.  On to the driveaway, sheep leaning hard to the left, drive is shaping up, sheep moving briskly, sheep leaning, trying to graze but he gets them restarted, a quick save on the left side, and they pass thru the drive panels and make a crisp turn.  Crossdrive.  Coming low at the start of the crossdrive, trying to put them back on line, sheep spread out a bit, but still at nice pace, two ewes moving a bit independently of the others but staying fairly close and Bryce handling them very well.  A bit high nearing the panels, but Terry corrects Bryce, and they pass straight thru.  A bit of wide turn, they break hard towards the shedding ring.  They finally settle down as they arrive with 7:00 remaining. Tetty has them lined out and all is looking good as Bryce comes in for a fast shed and took control. She gathers in the ring and trots to the pen. Fashion note that Terry is dressed smartly in purple.   The ewes are stopping a few feet from the pen and they slowly are easing them into the mouth of the pen. She has 4:25 left. They decided to saunter in and she shuts the gate while Bryce covers the back of the pen. They walks slowly to the ring and the ewes are quite content.  One ewe wandered a few feet from her buddies and Terry called her dog in to cut her off and they did a little jig and it was called. Score is 162

 

Don Helsley and Wizard.  The ewes are set out over 500 yards away. They are in the base of a hill and blend in well in the brown patches among the green field.. Wiz runs out strongly to the right, come behind the sheep a little tight and sheep are breaking then stop. Nice online so far, and straight on thru the fetch panels, continuing briskly to the post.  (Handlers commenting the heat is building up on the field) Turn at post a bit wide, continuing at a brisk pace to the drive panels, slowing on approach, they all pass thru on the left side.  Tight turn to crossdrive, still a good clip, the sheep pull right and con’t low, dog trying to correct as they con’t, turning the sheep up and they miss high.  Some zig-zagging on the third leg and arrive quietly to the shedding pen, one ewe tried to run out of ring but Wizard cuts it off.  7:54 remaining. Opened up, called the dog through on the shed and it’s good. Regathering the sheep and putting in the shedding ring. Runs to the pen. Sends dog to bring the sheep. 5 min 30 sec. on the clock. Sheep tried to break around but Wizard stopped them and they are walked right in at 4 min 49 sec. Nicely done. Back to shedding ring single off a collared ewe. Takes one off and calls it good. 3 min 40 sec.  Score 167.5

 Lori Perry and Diane Pagel are blogging, Kit Doyle is typist!

Suzy Applegate and Buzz

Buzz is sent on the come by side. Dogs away. Sheep lifted a little offline. Online on the fetch. Moving quietly. Sheep are through the fetch panels. Headed for the handlers post. One collared ewe keeps trying to break away from the rest, gets tucked back. Nice turn around the post. Sheep stop to graze. Strung out from each other, some graze some move. Same collared ewe separates from the group, Buzz brings her back in. Buzz working hard to keep them together, as they approach the panels. Four go through and one turns low on panels. Cross drive is organized and moving well. Starting to swing a little low, and stop to graze. Dog is covering and trying to tuck them back on line. Through the panel with a nice tight turn. Sheep are running toward the shedding ring. They are settling in the shedding ring and there is one high headed collared ewe. Slowly working the sheep around, trying to separate the two un collared ewe, Suzy is being patient, as she calls Buzz in and completes the shed. Gathered in the ring, Suzy is walking slowly to the pen. Sheep are nearing the mouth, and Buzz is patient to give them time. High headed collared ewe keeps trying to break away. But Buzz tells her to behave. They are slowly and patiently putting them in the mouth of the pen, and the one snotty ewe went under the rope and broke away. She will be the featured guest at the lamb barbeque tonight. They work the sheep back and she eases them into the mouth of the pen and gets it with 3 min. left. The sheep are walking nicely into the ring and Buzz comes in to push off the high headed ewe. She got the single with over 2 min. left. Score is 161.5

 

 

Derek Fisher and Jen.

Outrun sent left, two redirects and then crossed. Came in wide and reached the top. Jen is working hard to get the sheep online. The line is looking fast. Sheep are offline. Jen flanks the sheep and gets them back near line. Now online. Keeping centered, putting on pressure to make the fetch gate. After much work they got the fetch. Sheep are settled and coming at a nice pace to the post. At this point it is unbearably hot, the mosquito’s have been traded for flies. The sheep are not inammered to be out in the field at this point. The sheep are walking nicely to the post. Start to swing wide and Jen works them around with great enthusiasm. A little fuss at the turn, straightened out and is online to the first panels. Jen is holding the pressure quite well behind the sheep. One ewe breaks to the right while the other 4 go through the gate. The trouble maker is a white face with a collar. Nice turn. A little wobble, but not much, straightening out and that one ewe wants to be evil. Again lining them up at a nice trot two slide to the left of the panel. Super tight turn. Coming in at a nice trot to the shedding ring. Bit of a bobble before the ring but Jen catches it. Setting up for the shed, Derek patiently instructs Jen. Sheep are wanting to stay grouped and giving Derek a tough pick. Created a hole and got the 2 uncollared sheep. Gathering sheep to ring. 3 min. 33 sec. Judge didn’t call the shed so now working on the re-shed, and it’s called completed. Re-gathering again with 2 min 30 sec. to go. Moving toward the pen Jen holding them nicely. Patiently coaxing them to the mouth. Keeping them contained. Sheep are staring at the spectators. One bolts away and goes behind the pen. All the others are in the Pen. And the single ewe joins her buddies. 50 secs remain as they are put back in the ring, 3 sheep bolt out of the ring and Jen calls them back in. 15 secs. Left for the single. And they are out of time. Score 106

 

Lee Lumb and Nan

From Coldstream BC Canada.

Nan is sent out on the come by side, moving swiftly almost crossed at the fetch line but redirected and then cast out wide. Nice lift sheep are zig sagging down the fetch line. Sheep are stopped. Nan works to move them online and the sheep swing wide and miss the gate. Coming down the fetch line approaching the shed ring. Sheep stop to graze and then are move quickly to the ring. Sheep move to the turn and stop. Nan works to move them around the post and head down the first drive. Sheep are moving online. Drive is starting really well. Dogs keeping nice calm pressure on the sheep. Now too much. Sheep are through the drive panel and head off the wrong way. Nan gets them back and the sheep come back through the drive panels. Judge isn’t going to like that. She’s a little low on the cross drive. Sheep are wanting to graze, dogs not letting them. She’s pretty much online now. Dogs starting to push a little hard now. She’s online. They are dropping down again. She’s gonna have to hook them in. now the dogs in front, and that will cost some points. Sheep came in low and missed the panels. Zig zagging on the line, but a little high coming to the shedding ring. Their in the ring with 6 min 40 sec. to go. Completes the shed pretty good. Judges are making the dog push the sheep away quite a distance. Sheep are regourped and head for the pen. Sheep head to the mouth. Sheep are penned at 2 min. tried to get the single and it was not successful. Sheep out of the ring. One failed attempt with 30 sec. to go. Unable to pick up the single and hold it. Score. 96.5

 

Beverly Lambert and Hemp

From Andover Conn.

Hemp is coming out nice, and quickly. Redirect. Coming in tight does not see the sheep. Still going tight. Finally at the last minute he’s casting out, nice and wide. The lift was nice, and started a little offline. Sheep are moving straight down the fetch line. Dog crossed over the front of the sheep, and missed the fetch. Sheep move into the ring, nice and quiet to the post. Makes a nice turn and start the first drive on a nice line. Dog is holding the pressure on the right hand side. Sheep have stopped to graze. But Hemp is convincing them to move forward. It’s a slow first drive online toward the panels. Sheep spread out and botl throught the panels, make a nice turn and they are lined up nice for the cross drive, as they want to break high. Breaking low and zig zagging a bit. Sheep are pulling high. Dog brings them back online. Four pass high and one passes through. Zig zagging down toward the ring and the sheep are in the ring. 7 min. 30 sec. nice shed of the front two wihich are black face with attitudes. Hemp works to regather out of the ring, and the sheep are gathered in the ring. Beverly is at the pen. Hemp is moving the sheep toward the mouth. Black faced ewe looking for an escape route. Everyone is being patient, including the sheep, with 5 mins. Left. White face who is acting like a skittish yearling colt. Now a black face ewe decided to make a break for it while hemp was covering the white face, but hemp is tucking her back in, she is not happy. Bev closes the gate at 3 min 33 sec. sheep are in the shedding ring and the high headed black ewe is looking to escape. Bev calls hemp in on the white face with the collar and the ewe jumps over him to rejoin the flock and it is not called. Bev is working the lot, and hemp comes in and the ewe has broke back again. We are at 2 min. the 3^rd attempt and he holds. With 1:46 left. Score is 126.5

 

Scott Glen and June

June runs out swiftly to the left and leaned in to the right but Scott redirected her, and she cast out sharply. June is going nice and deep behind the sheep. And is coming up for a soft lift. The sheep are trotting hard but steady down the line. Sheep veered hard to the left, but june tucked them in and again they veered.  Working hard to keep them online as the draw is hard to the left. The sheep seem to have a mind of their own. And break whatever way they can. He got them through the panel and they are wobbly, and he’s working hard to settle them. The sheep are in the ring and rounding the post. June keeps them in tight, the sheep stop to nibble some grass and complete the turn. Sheep start out straight on line and stop to eat again. Moving slowly on the first drive June is feeling the bubble quite nicely. Final stretch and they make the first panels. Sheep have stopped to graze and june walks up for a nice turn and they swing a wee bit low. And they’re off nicely but kick low and they are trotting and Scott is adjusting. Nice pace on the cross drive, and it looks like they are headed to the second panels. Note’ to readers we do not have a good seating for the drive, so it is hard to tell the line. Marched them through nice, a little wide, but tucked them back online, but they are trotting to the shedding ring. The work begins to lock the sheep in, the sorting is being done beautifully and quietly. June is patiently waiting for Scott’s direction. The sheep stop for a bite. June keeps their attention on the job at hand as Scott masterfully prepares the shed. 6 min on the clock and the shed is complete at 5:30 the sheep are regathered in the ring and Scott heads for the pen. June commands a tight flock at the mouth is filled with sheep. Scott at the end of his rope watches the sheep enter the pen and the gate is closed. 4 min. on the clock and the sheep are brought to the ring in a tight bunch. And they begin to eat. Scott sets up for the single and a high headed collared ewe appears to be the one. The single is called and Scott gets it done with 3 yr. old June. Score 196

 

Amanda Miliken and Monty

Monty is sent out tight and is being redirected finishes nice at the top. Fetch was offline on the right hand side, made the panels after a wee bit of work. Good pace on the last leg. Last part of fetch had nice pace and slightly offline, nice turn at post. Nice pace on driveaway, a little stall, correction, and nicely through the first panels.  Turn a little wide, back on line. Good set up on the cross drive. Sheep pulling high. Dog correcting the line, and 4 sheep went through, 1 slipping by the second panels.  Two sheep came back through. Sheep are spread out on the last part of the drive to the shedding ring, and off line.  Back on line as they enter the shedding ring.  Shed on first attempt, but not called.  Amanda re-groups the sheep in the ring, and accomplishes the shed nicely on the second attempt.  Amanda has her signature flashy hat on. Sheep are at mouth of pen, looking for a way to escape, but Amanda settles them.  Sheep then broke away.  But Monty contains them. It is tough, as a sheep continue to want to break away. Nice snappy pen. Monty is bringing the sheep nicely to the shedding ring. She calls Monty in, but the sheep re-group behind her back.  She finally calls Monty in on one tough ewe, and they do a dance, and Monty wins for a single.

Score 128

 

Lasoya Lerma and Beau

San Diego California

 

Sent left Beau’s a little tight and widens out nicely around the sheep. Lasoya redirects to get to the top. This is Lasoya’s first appearance at the finals and ran Beau two years ago at nursery. Good lift, a little sporty. Sheep are trying to pull to the right. Beau can’t quite get them to the panels and they run high. Sheep are running into the ring and swing wide around post, but Beau gets them settled. Beau tucks them back online to set up for the first drive. Sheep try to break right Beau tucks them in and they break left and Beau covers. Sheep far offline and miss the first panels low. Sheep start the cross drive nicely Beau takes a wrong flank and bring them low. Lasoya works to get them back online, as they head for the mouth of the cross drive panel. Sheep are low and miss the panels. Offline far right and Beau moves to get them online halfway to the shedding ring. Pushing them, and now they are online as they head into the ring. The sheep are starting to settle and stop in the ring, Beau holds them as Lasoya prepares for the shed, they are lined up nicely and Beau waits patiently. Picking the two unmarked sheep Lasoya skillfully completes the shed on the first attempt. 7 minutes left and she quietly settles the sheep and heads toward the pen. The sheep are low on the pen, and Beau moves them just in time to keep them from going behind the pen. The sheep stop to graze and size up Beau. Two sheep lead the rest to the side of the pen. Beau re-directs them to the mouth, holds them from escaping around the pen and the sheep are penned. 4:30 to go and Beau gathers the flock and moves them into the shed ring.

Beau prepares for the single, listening and watching intently to Lasoya’s direction. The collared ewe is picked, but two white face sheep surround as if to protect. Lasoya moves the sheep to line them up, and Beau follows her lead. 1 min to go and Lasoya’s patience is still visible. Still working on the single with the clock running out. The white faced collared ewe leaps to get back to the flock and the time is called. Score. 78

 

Deborah Millsap and Wyn

From Umpqua, Oregon

The dog is sent. Tight outrun dog crosses over and looks bck to the field, is re-directed saw the sheep and is casting out. Good recovery by the handler and the Border collie. Stopped short and lifted off to the right, well right of the line and at a full run towards the cross drive panels. Missed the panels well to the right and slow to a trot as they approach the ring, rounding the pen and finally stopping short of the ring. Sheep are breaking toward the exhaust and settle at the handlers trailers. Wyn brings them back to the post and re-groups the sheep. Nice collection and starting the first leg at a nice pace. Sheep stop to get a bite, and then move on a nice line to the first panels. High headed black face ewe sets the mood for the flock and breaks the sheep to the left missing the gate. Nice tidy turn at a smooth pace headed on the cross drive. Sheep are low and Wyn runs to flank them back online. Pressing hard to get them to the drive panel and still low as they approach the panels. The sheep have turned and are driving back to the first gate Wyn circles and the sheep make a break down field. They missed the drive panels short and are now in the shedding ring. The sheep do not want to settle into the ring and the dog is far off. Black faced ewe is high headed and Wyn moves closer to settle. Over 6 min. left. At the circle. These sheep are proving difficult but she calls Wyn in but another sheep breaks in to disrupt the shed. Deb re-gathers and is patiently setting them up. Sheep came out of the ring. She has them back in the ring, but the 3 uncollared ones want to stay together. She calls wyn in again and he turns on the wrong sheep. The three broke to the judges trailer. Wyn is looking tired, as it is the heat of the day. wyn goes wide and moves back in to the settled sheep, in the ring. 3 min left. Another attempt and the sheep bolted and run out of the ring. Headed to the exhaust. Handler chose to retire, it was a valiant attempt by Deb and Wyn. RT

 

Jeanie Helsley and Taite (6 yr. old)

From Caldwell Idaho

Taite heads out nicely, casting wide and coming in high. Nice smooth lift and right on line. Sheep trotting to the panels and zig zag, pulling to the right. Dog is not covering enough to keep them online and misses the fetch panels. Sheep are bolting down the field and going hard to the left. Finally are stopped before the fence line. Sheep are headed bck up field but Taite re-directs. Finally the sheep are settled and Taite is bringing them offline still, but to Jeanie. Sheep make the turn nicely. One high headed white face with a collar, tried to make a break and Taite gets them online to the first drive. One tries to break, dog cuts off, and gets online. Dog blocks high headed and keeps the flock together coming to the panel. Dog in pursuit of a breakaway as the other 4 sheep wait behind the panels. Handler Retires.

 

Hailey Hunewell and Ross

Two time national nursery champion

Nice outrun. Cutting in , still cutting in. Still tight, in danger of crossing over. Getting lots of re-directs. And crossed over. Coming around the top right, and lifts the sheep. Sheep are offline coming to the fetch panels. Ross getting them back online and settling them before they reach the gate. Moving slowly and methodically to the panels and they make it through. Working on the final half of the fetch line. Sheep come in low  and are back online. Sheep are entering the ring and stop to graze. Ross is moving in and applying pressure. Headed for the post and the turn, they make a nice tight turn around the post. One ewe tries to separate and Ross quickly stops her. Starting the first drive the sheep are online and moving briskly up the field. One ewe tests Ross and is quickly pressured to return to the flock. Approaching the panels they are offline left and ross pushes them right in a zig zag and makes the first panels. Nice turn shooting high. Sheep are brought back online. Stop to graze, and Ross disrupts their leisure. Little high and a little low while fine tuning the cross drive. They make the cross drive gate. Headed toward the ring the line is wobbly, but the sheep are well collected and moving briskly. Reaching the shed ring they stop to eat, and Hailey enters the ring calmly in her fashionable hat. Lining the sheep, commanding their attention, prepares to separate two uncollared ewe’s The shed is nicely completed on the first two, on the first attempt. Hailey moves to the pen and Ross is pressuring the flock to the mouth of the pen. Hailey is fully stretched out on the gate rope and coaxing the sheep to the mouth. Ross moves in and they round the side of the pen, lead by the high headed black face ewe. Back at the mouth of the pen and they are lined up. One white collared ewe bolts and another follows, the rest exit the mouth of the pen, and they start over with 1 min left on the clock. Back at the mouth the sheep are all together, the black face is moving closer to the mouth. The white face are panting and staring down Ross. Penned with 20 seconds left. And the sheep are moved toward the ring and the clock runs out before the single can be attempted. Score. 120

 

Don Helsley and Ash

From Caldwell Idaho

Outrun started nicely, casting wide. Way wide toward the top and coming in for the lift. Sheep bolt low and scatter. Sheep are pulling hard left and are coming along to the fence line. He’s finally turned them past the fetch panel and trying hard to get them back online. Below the fetch panel they are back online about 2/3 rds down the fetch line. One ewe is Cheviot and leading the flock. One ewe is hanging in the back and does not want to stay with the flock. The turn is wide. And starting out smooth. Nice trot. And looks to be online. A wee bit of wobble before the first panel but tucks them through with a good tight turn. Start a little low on the cross drive. Adjustments and trying to get them online, it seems they are still low. Still low and missed the panels with a wide turn. Wide to the shedding ring. And the sheep are leaning towards the exhaust, they are coming in at the far edge of the shedding ring, and Don stopped them before they ran out. He has them standing nicely. And is maneuvering them to put the un collared one’s in the back. Don is being very patient with 8 min. left. The ewe’ws are facing Ash and don’t seem to be willing to do much of anything at this point. Sheep are bunched up tight as Don works to get the two split. Ash waits patiently. 6 minutes in the shedding ring. Carefully maneuvered two and took them off the front. The shed is complete. Ash gathers the sheep and Don heads for the pen. He has over 4 mins left. The sheep are facing Don as ash moves them to the mouth. Marching them in for a nice pen with 3:45 to go. Don heads for the ring and Ash moves the sheep in. He walks the sheep nice and slow. A nice tidy single on the high headed Cheviot. Score 93

 

Erin O’Brien and Z

Seattle Washington

This is Erin’s first time at the finals in the Open class. Z runs out wide. Looking deep and coming to the right side of the sheep. A little hard and they break to the left. Still breaking hard to the left, and he’s on their heels. Not quite holding the pressure yet. Missed the fetch panels and are still offline. Finally back online 2/3 rds of the way down. The sheep are starting to break hard left, but she tucks them back online. Nice walk to the post. And all is looking calm. A bit of a wide turn. The sheep stop to eat, and Z walks into their heads, they pull to the left and he adjusts to get them back online. They are interested in eating. But finally trot up the field. There is one brockle face that decided eating is her favorite pastime. Z starts, stops, drives. Z is working hard to keep them going. Still offline but working hard to get them online. Sheep bolt far right and miss the first gates. Now headed for the cross drive panels. Starts out a little low but Z works to get them back on line. Still low. Moving sporadically. Z pressuring to keep them online and moving to the panels. Great job getting all 5 through the cross drive panels. Moving quickly to the shedding ring. Sheep enter the ring, and then run out the otherside. Z flanks them and pushes them into the ring. 5:38 on the clock and Erin lines them up for the shed. Great patience exhibited by team O’brien. She has 3 minutes and they’re all bunched up. Sheep are trying to graze. She got the front two. And now is putting them back in the ring. She has a minute 45 seconds at the pen. Time is running out rapidly at the pen, as the sheep approach the mouth, and time runs out. Score is 93

 

Stephanie Summers and Kate

California

Kate runs out tight but is stopped. It seems like she is looking at the prior setout point. A redirect and stops and she casts out wide to go to the old setout. Stephanie tries valiantly to get her to Kate to go the right direction and kate does not heed so handler walks. Her run in the prelims was very nice and although this was run was a retire, they are a nice, dynamic team. RT

 

Lyle Lad and Gin

Georgetown Ohio

Former National Judge, and just at this Finals, is the 2012 Nursery Champion with Lucky. Gin is Lucky’s mom.Gin has cast out wide and looks for yesterdays set, but has stopped.  Now has seen the sheep…going high on the hill and is confused at this point.  Lyle walks. :0(  RT  Dog goes anyway, finds the sheep and brings them through the fetch panels all on her ow.  Heartbreaker.  Great handler.  Tough luck.  Good dog.

 

(Suzanne Anaya and Barbara Stewart blogging.)

 

Herbert Holmes and Juno, veterans  from Texas.  Hub sends Juno to the left, she starts snug, thru the fetch panels, Hub gives her one redirect and the dog kicks out wide.  Coming on a bit flat at the top, the lift sheep turned right.  Quick on the fetch, coming to line, but missed panels to right.  Putting them back on line, sheep stop to graze but Juno moves them up at a trot.  Sheep stringing out as they walk calmly to the post.  Nice tight stroll around the post.  Still a walking pace as several try to snatch a bite.  Juno moves them on after they pause for a snack.  A calm, orderly progress to the drive panels.  Nearing the panels the sheep think about veering right, left, but Juno snakes them right thru before trouble erupts.  Good turn to crossdrive, the sheep string out, single-file, Juno keeps them moving at a walk/jog, on line to the cross panels, sheep “eating” up time but approach panels calmly and pass thru center, and follow with a tight turn to third leg.  (7:00 remaining.)  A beautiful line to the shed ring at a slow trot.  In the ring with 6:30 remaining.  Sheep graze as Hub makes his decisions, and goes to work.  Steps in to make the shed in 35 seconds, the sheep start off but one turns back to challenge Juno, nose to nose, the sheep reconsiders and yields ground, Juno move both off well.  On to the pen, 4:50 remaining.  Hub has one in, one over sill, 3 hesitating.  Hub works quietly in to urge the sheep forward.  And they all go right on in.   Beautiful pen.  On to single, 3:10 remaining.  Sheep calm as they set up for the single.  The same challenging ewe is high-headed and looking to escape.  Juno adjusts and she holds her place.  Hub points his crook, they split and Juno picks up the uncollared trouble-maker instead.  Another split, and Juno came in a bit too wide, turning an uncollared sheep back with the chosen collared ewe.  Juno goes to water, and Hub retires.

 

Dianne Deal and Zorro, of Idaho.      Zorro is sent left from the post.  Zorro was looking at yesterday’s set area and starts straight up field, Dianne redirects immediately, Zorro stops but continues across field, and toward the ‘old’ set,  more redirects and the dog scans ahead, picks up it’s sheep and continues up the right side.  Stopping a bit short, Zorro follows with a beautiful lift, and brings them at a great pace down the fetch.  The sheep pull off line to the right at the bottom of the hill halfway to the panels, graze, spread out,  Zorro stalled (may have trouble hearing handler).  Zorro working hard to re-group sheep, but they are still stalled.  Sheep have turned on the dog and one or more appear to be challenging, as the dog wears in an effort to get them on their way.  Sheep continuing to test the dog, Dianne decides to retire and they walk with no score.

 

Michele McGuire and Cora.   Michele sends Cora to the left.  Cora takes a couple looks at yesterday’s set but starts off very well on her outrun.  Well to the verge, wide and nice, deep behind the sheep. The lift begins well and, shortly, the sheep veer hard to the left.  Dog returns the sheep to the fetch line, but running sheep down the field, sheep veer left and run severely off line left, passing panels.  Michele gets Cora’s attention and she brings sheep back on line below the fetch gate and calmly along the remainder of the fetch.  Post turn slightly wide as sheep pause to check dog, then continue on driveaway, taking a bite or two of graa.  Appear to be a bit right of line, and Cora brings them back, sheep stopping to graze immediately in front, then turn right and scrape past the panels on right, turn left and move toward set .. Cora recovers the sheep and turns them back to the crossdrive,  the sheep do a bit of dining along the way, at a walking pace, appear to be a bit high.   Sheep still grazing along course, time becoming a factor w 7:00 remaining.  Walking to the cross panels, appear to be slightly high, and just miss around the top, but follow with a good turn to third leg.  Cora brings the sheep to shedding ring at a trot, where they relax.  6:30 remaining.  Michele goes right to work, has a nicely group bunch, steps in and they split nicely, the shed called.  Beautiful job.  On to pen with 4:50 remaining.  Sheep moving up calmly, a bit spread, but Cora brings them to the mouth and the sheep walk right into the pen, well done.  Back to the shed ring for single 3:35 left.  Split on the first attempt, easy-breezy, in less than 30 seconds.   Score is 136

Diane Pagel is back to blog. She has been busy helping with the live TV interviews that you are seeing live so running back and forth.

 

Patricia MacRae and Max.  Max starts off very nicely left, but after passing the drive gates began to cut in, Patricia redirects but the dog continues across centerline and toward yesterday’s set.  Patricia continues to work with the whistle and gets Max turned around.  He returns to the centerline but still can’t find his sheep.  Patricia retires the 11 yr old veteran, a disappointment.

 

Terry Parrish and Zula.  Zula starts off well to the left.  She takes a look upfield thru the drive panels and continues nicely wide and behind her sheep.  Slowing to a trot at the top end, she pauses and lifts nicely on line.  The sheep coming well on at a canter, pulling right approaching the panels, they come to a stop as Zula moves to correct.  Still moving toward centerline they slide by the panels on the right side, Zula brings to the center and keeps them at a jog to the post.  A nice turn at the post and they’re on the drive, one collared ewe wants to break ahead, but not by herself, so returns to the fold.  She still leads the way up the drive leg, coming a bit left of course.  Zula tucks her in as she brings them back to centerline.  Zula’s pressure shifts them a bit right ahead of panels but moves back behind her sheep, which then veer left and slip past the left side of gate.  Sheep pause after a good turn, and Zula moves them on their way, the single collared Cheviot out front by 1 to 5 lengths.  Single is slowly walking ahead as the rest try to graze.  Zula swings right and tucks her in and they are under way at a trot.  Appear to be nicely on line, and lace right thru middle of cross panels.  A tidy turn to third leg, Zula urges them into a canter down the line, and into the shed ring ahere most graze, but the Cheviot remains head-high.  Terri goes right to work with 5:49 remaining.  Sheep string out, ‘collars at one end, they peel away, Terry guides one uncollared to turn back and Zula carries her sheep away.  To the pen with 4:22 remaining.  They come into the mouth, but hesitate, two turn to face out, our suspicious Cheviot at the tail end.  All go in but one turns back and wants very much to escape, Zula moves up a bit, Terry leans across and gives a bit of active convincing, and the ewe retreats into the pen.  2:40 remaining, back to the shedding ring.  Maneuvering their sheep, working for the single, she gets a 3:2 split and does a wonderful job of peeling off the uncollared sheep while blocking the collar, and Zula takes her firmly away.  Score 143.

 

Cutoff for tomorrow is around 128

Bob Stephens and Pete.   We think Pete is 10 yrs old.   Pete starts well but turns in early, Bob redirects three times, asking Pete to cast out further each time, still tight and begins to cross, can’t tell if the dog crossed, but bent back out and came around his sheep a bit flat.  Lift was hard, and sheep pushed to the left.  Coming down the fetch quickly, took awhile to recover but got them thru the fetch panels.  This is a lot of dog and Bob is working hard to keep him off the sheep.  Finally at a nice trot, right on centerline.  Nice trot to the post, and this has to be one of the tightest turns of the day.  Onto the driveaway at an ambling walk, and on line.  Sheep stringing out a tad as they stop to grab a bite, but still looking good.  This being the time of day they’d prefer to be chewing their cud.  Nice controlled walk, sheep grabbing some grazing, a bit of a fuss at the drive panels but got them thru.  A tad wide on the turn but got them under control,  coming low but straightened them up and the sheep break into a trot, stop and go, the sheep are pulling hard low,  these sheep really have no interest in anything other than eating.  The last part of crossdrive appears low, but a quick correction saves the day and puts them thru.  A wide turn w the sheep spreading out for no reason, now coming straight to shed ring at a good trot.  7:35 remaining.  Bo’s hat flies off and sheep unfazed, casually returning it to his head, he calls his in for a beautiful shed.  Quickly coming to the pen, for a very fast pen as they dart straight in – the crowd roars approval.  More than 6:00 remaining, the seep take a careful look at the exhaust, but Pete is moving them patiently back to the shed ring – the fastest pen of the day, mere seconds.  They get the shed in a few more seconds with over 5:00 remaining and the crowds roars louder with delight.  We think that the shed-pen-single were all done in under a minute and a half!!  Score 150.5

 

 

Bryan White and Scoop.  Scoop is a five yr old that Brian has trained himself, this is his first time to the finals and we are pleased to see him in the semis.  Scoop is casting out very nicely and this is a great outrun.  Scoop has a nice calm lift, and the sheep want to break right, no fault of the dog.   Sheep have stopped and Brian is working to keep them moving, stalled halfway to fetch panels.  With a bit of work he’s got them going but they are pulling strongly right and don’t want to play nice.  Scoop is yielding the pressure and Bryan is asking him to move them toward line.  Still extremely right and have missed the fetch panels.  About 2/3s way down, he’s got them back on line.  One Cheviot collar keeps eyeing the crowd, splitting slightly but Scoop keeps her tucked in.  They are at his feet, slowing to the post, the turn is nice and tight, and they are working well.  The line looks quite nice and they are working very patiently as a team, it’s slow going, and he turned them too short and now is starting the cross drive.  The sheep tried to stand-off Scoop, but he got them going again.  Now low, but trotting at a nice pace.  Stopping now and then to graze and are slowly sliding lower,  still low approaching panels and Bryan is trying correct, but they pass panels low.  The turn is wide, but they are putting them back on line for the third leg.  Sheep spreading out on the last leg, but he has them on the last line quite nicely.  Entering the ring with 5:00 left.  Bryan goes right to work as the sheep begin to graze.  Bryan cautiously lines them up,  collared on end, he takes his time.  By the way, this is a very nice team and we’re all rooting for him.  Bryan calls Scoop in for a well-executed shed.  On to the pen with 3:00 remaining.  Sheep approach calmly, team patient, and the sheep look like they might wander in.  Patience, and more, and they are rewarded as the sheep walk in.  1:36 remaining …… Scoop is looking stylish as he brings the sheep to Bryan, the collared Cheviot is hanging well off to the left, hopefully giving them the opportunity.. He works her and calls Scoop in smoothly for the split with 32 seconds left …….. ………. The crowd goes wild.  Score 144.5 .. he has made it into the double-lift at his first Finals.  !!!!    Congratulations, Bryan, excellent job, we’re were rooting for your success.

 

(The new cutoff estimate is 135)

 

Jack Knox and Jim.  Jim went to away side, the first all day.  He came in a bit tight and lifted off to the left.  Jack is working hard to get the sheep back on line.  And the sheep are back on line before the panels, putting them nicely thru the panels and still online.  Nice quiet turn at the post, with Jack on the hay bales, looking quite sharp in his crisp, white shirt.  The first leg of the drive is at a slow but steady pace led by a high-headed Brockle out front.  This is a quiet controlled drive, with quiet whistles.  The sheep stalled a brief moment, but Jim got them back in gear, and right thru the drive panels .. a very tight turn, leaving wool on the panels.  A bit low at the start of the crossdrive, but Jack has fixed that, and the sheep have broke into a trot, stopped, but Jim took them right thru the panels.  A bit of a wide turn, but Jack puts them back on line.  Coming into the shedding ring with 7:15 remaining.  Now the sheep decide to graze, until Jack’s approach and they regard him with amazement.  The master-shedder is working them around, the Brockle is also on tonight’s menu (I will enjoy her immensely)  Jack takes the Brockle and a white-face out for a nice shed on the front.  Over 5:00 for the pen.  So far, this is a very nice, quiet run.  The Brockle is giving major attitude at the pen mouth.  But Jack is being very quiet and convinces all but one ewe to walk right in, she takes one lap and joins her buddies for a nice pen.  3:54 remaining for the single and the sheep trot briskly to the ring.  The 2 collared sheep are hanging to the back, which may work well for Jack.  One missed attempt as a ewe leaps forward.  Waving his magic crook above the sheep, the single moves out followed by the other four and fold back in.  Again, he lines them up, but these ornery sheep are proving difficult, but finally gets a single at the front with 2 minutes to spare.   Score 143.5

 

Suzy Applegate and Dot.  This is our last team, Suzy dressed smartly in pale green shirt and adorable hat walks to the post with Dot, who is scanning for sheep.  She outruns to the left.  A quiet lift but the sheep move off to the left,  Cot covers and brings the sheep at a very fast clip, left of line, and they all pass left of panels.  Dot hears Suzy and slows the pace as they come on line below panels.  Trotting, and sweep around post in a beautifully tight turn.  On to the driveaway at an easy jog, appear to be on line.  The sheep , again, take a right turn short of the panels and spread out,  Dot collects them, but overflanks a bit to the left and turns her sheep into a reverse,  Suzy brings her back, they turn on back on course, one goes thru but 4 missed to right, pulling the thru-sheep back.  Some starting and stopping enroute to the cross panels, grazing.  Appear to be well on line and nicely through the cross panels.  Coming on the quick-march to the shedding ring.  A collared Cheviot tries to make her way thru the pen but Suzy is there to put a stop to it.  7:30 remaining.  Dot is working well with Suzy, showing a lot of style as she collects a quick shed and Dot moves them off, a ewe tried to challenge but Dot was having none of it, and shed called.  Wonderful job.  On to pen, 6:00 remaining.  The sheep got around back on the right side, Dot bringing them back to the mouth and Suzy working hard to convince the sheep the pen is the best move .. and succeeds very nicely.   One collared ewe hanging out to the left giving her a great opportunity, Suzy makes the most of it, splits her off and Dot moves her off confidently.  Well done.  Score  !56.5  Suzy is in the double-lift with BOTH of her collies.  Great Job, Suzy.