Vashon Island Sunday (quick recap)

In a couple of days, I will do the full report. The course was reversed, the outrun was 425 yards, drive, shed and pen. Ewes ran better in the morning and were cranky in afternoon. The sun decided to show a few rays in the mid day then was chased away by serious clouds which then presented a full deluge for the late afternoon to the evening.

Patrick won again and I think Karen was next. I thought I had taken a pix of the score sheet but I guess not! Over 50% of the Open dogs were RT or DQ. The sheep were still tough. I enjoyed working them.

Rainey ran a non-compete Open run at the lunch break and was judged by Brian Ricard. She had a wonderful outrun, ran into a gully, didn't see the sheep and began to scan for the sheep at the top. The set out person saw her think and scan when she was in the gully, then she found the ewes and had a nice lift. She said it was one of the better lifts and the ewes did not challenge her. She brought them smartly down the fetch and they slipped past the panels at the last minute but still had a nice fetch. The drive was hard as they wanted to run up the hill and she had to work but ran out of time. She never backed down or got ran off and help her ground as the ewes charge. I was quite happy with her.

Roo ran after lunch and had a nice outrun, lift and decent fetch. He actually listened and I had hope but at the drive the ewes stood him off and he decided to do his version of the drive than the one I was asking him, I called him in for the shed but he didn't get it in time .

Nan was the last dog to run and it was darkish and the sheep wanted to break back to the set out. Her outrun was nice and she walked in for the lift, the ewes challenged her, she got a proper grip then the still tried to break past her. She got a bigger grip when I gave her a big, hard walk up and we got called. As the sheep split around her, I gave her a look back, followed by a flank and she got the group back but then I had to recall her. even though she was called, I was pleased that she did try and listened to me.

Got tons of pixs so will post them. The trial was fabulous and I really enjoyed the tough ewes. They really showed what I need to do for my homework and will be working on that now. It also showed that Patrick can run a damm near flawless run and by watching him, we all got a free lesson on how to run on range ewes.  He was very humble when you asked him and his grace on the field was an inspiration to all of us.

Much thanks to Maggi and the Vashon folks who hosted this wonderful trial. It is a must return and you better do your homework! It is a 5 star trial and I highly recommend it.

Vashon Island Open (bare bones)

Well my cell service is non existent so you will get the bare bones report and certainly no photos.

Patrick had a screaming run with Riggs for a 101 out of 110 and then with Java for a 91 or so. I don’t know what the score was for Andi. Karen was doing quite well too. Dave Imas was holing at third when we left but there were a few more runs still to go, one being Patrick. There were quite a few nice runs and I will post score on Monday.

Ron got a score of 54 with Tigr with no shed, pen or single. Roo ran and I had to give a redirect, nice lift and then decided to grip a ewe on the way down. Too bad as he can handle range ewe but today he decided to be a toad. But a lot of dogs got a RT or DQ too. Nan had a nice outrun, had to work on the lift as they faced her and she finally got them going, sweet fetch and just skimmed on the outside of the panel, nice turn, and had to work on the first leg as one ewe tried to run at her. She made the first panel then the ewe ran at for the last time so she slung it about for DQ. However, she ran her heart out and listened to me so I was ok with that. Roo, failed to heed my down so I was not happy . Had he done that I think he would have had a nice run. Oh well. Such is life and I have some homework to do.

Hope my cell service works better so I can post more tomorrow.

Vashon Island PN runs on Friday

Ron and I left just after five on Friday morning to catch an early ferry to the trial. We got to the ferry with about two minutes to spare and thus arrived in plenty of time for the trial. The sheep were from Cameron's flock from eastern Oregon and loved to tum on the dogs and run them off the field. Those would didn't do that would split into two or more groups and go in opposite directions. If you dog backed off and had power and the threat of a grip, they were much better. They pretty much challenged every dog and each run landed on the scoreboard how the dog and sheep's relationship was at the lift. In the morning only a couple of scores were posted, with most of the scores being RT or DQ.

Ron ran Kiki and she had a excellent outrun and lift, off on the fetch and a dual sheep group drive, slung low at the cross drive and timed out at the pen. One ewe after they were done decided she wanted to meander up the field and it took several people and dogs to put her in the exhaust.

Several times the sheep would beat the set out dog back to the set out and the handler would patiently wait. It was a true test of skill to get the sheep around the course.

Rainey ran out nice and deep, checked in and cast out wider. She disappeared behind the knoll next to the sheep and I thought she would come out behind the sheep but she did an Open outrun.  I whistled her to walk in and she came charging down the field to the sheep, lined herself nicely behind them and had a sweet lift. She took great command of the range ewe and finessed them down the fetch line, through the gate and an nice turn. it was the best fetch of the day and the one of the best best outwork so I was pleased. It was dumping rain and the sheep ahd no intentions of moving.

The sheep turned nice at the post, then two broke off (typical of the sheep) while two stayed behind and challenged her. She stood her ground, walked slowly and pushed them closer to the forward ewes and then I had her scoop the two forward ewes back to finish the first leg. She put them dead center through the panel and a nice turn then they swung high. Rainey was slowly working them across for the cross drive when time ran out. Doing the extra long outrun and the challenging ewe on the first leg cost her in time. So needless to say, she did not get her drive or pen points. BUT she tried hard on the drive and went into the bubble and stayed on her ground when the ewes challenged her. She did everything I asked of her, even when it was very tough for her. So I am very happy with her performance, even though the score did not show it. She only lost seven on her outwork.

We had to exhaust out sheep and the one troublesome ewe took a charge at her. She took her on the nose,  the ewe was satisfied that she meant business and she had a wonderful drive to the exhaust. These sheep had no idea where the exhaust was so they needed to coaxed.

Patrick and Abby had a smooth run to nail down first place while Karen was hot on his heels for second and third place. They had to work for their runs but they ran nice runs.

It was cold and raining so Rainey was the lap warmer since her mom, Tess, stayed home.

We left after the PN runs so I don't know how the Ranch or Novice landed but I will post that tomorrow. ron and I went to dinner at the "Hardware Store Restaurant" and I had a huge prime rib, and I ate it all plsu Creme Brulee for dessert. Ron had clam linguini and dick Wilson joined us and he had bourbob butter halibut. The dinners were outstanding!  A bunch of us went there last year and it was just as good.

Photos: Carolyn Harwell

Vashon Island Run Orders

Well, I am off for the next three days to go to the Vashon Island Sheepdog Trial. Ron Green came over and we are car pooling. I am running Rainey and Ron is running Kiki in PN. I am running Roo and Nan and Ron is running Tigr in Open. All the dogs are DeltaBluez dogs. If I can get online, I will post info, otherwise you will have to wait until I get back.

Friday
PRO NOVICE

1. Brian Ricards Belle
2. Martha McHardy Rick
3. Fran MacPherson Mirk
4. Alison Deilke Zen
5. Karen Mohney Maverick
6. Alastair MacLean Glen
7. Bob Hickman CBK Ryder
8. Ron Green Kiki
9. Carolyn Harwell Brynn
10. Benjamin Kercsmar Hoot
11. Norm Rivers Scotia ,
12. Jim Kling Rodeo
13. Brian Ricards Peg
14. Leslie Capik Annie
15. Maggi McClure Rob
16. Joe Haynes Keally
17. Tim Ballard Nell
18. Judy Norris Kasey :
19. Martha McHardy Sylvie
20. Susan Crocker Rani ,
21. Christie True Shep
22. Mindy Mayer Flash
23. Laura Vishoot Chance
24. Dawn Pucci Bran
25. Karen Child Cam
26. Diane Pagel Rainey
27. Patrick Shannahan Abby
28. Becki Maloney Finn
29. Ron Fischer Steve
30. Benjamin Kercsmar Nick
31. Joe Haynes Spot
32. Martha McHardy Ken
33. T. Yamamoto Sweep-NC

NOVICE
1. Shirley Rene Mica :
2. Leslie Capik Rue
3. Jesse Gabelein Max
4. Paulette Smith Ali 
5. Mindy Mayer Shep
6. Vicki Johnson Dax
7. Susan Risner Nevi
8. Kathy Rivers Nova
9. Kylo Murray-Gann Mike
10. Valerie Bernard Fionn
11. Barb Krause Gizmo
12. Sarah Christensen Mica

RANCH
1. Norm Rivers Lana
2. Carolyn Harwell Brynn
3. Susan Meagher Peg
4. Corinne Berg Bea
5. Kathy Rivers Lucy
6. Alison Deilke Sock
7. Judy Norris Britt
8. Jane Hickman Rachel
9. Christie True Shep
10. Ernesta Ballard Floss
11. Jim Kling Rodeo 
12. Jennifer Kriegel Zani
13. Benjamin Kercsmar Hoot
14. Vicki Johnson Dax
15. Mindy Mayer Shep
16. Maggi McClure Ben
17. Judy Norris Abby
18. Kylo Murray-Gann Mike

Saturday

OPEN

1. Corinne Berg Tay
2. Dee Marroni Cap
3. Sue MacDonald Jan
4. Patrick Shannahan Java
5. Monique Feyrecilde Lucy
6. Judy Norris Glee
7. Jim Cooper Zot
8. Diane Pagel Roo
9. Ron Green Tigr
10. Cheryl Munson Flint
11. Elissa Thau Tom
12. Heather Haynes Lad
13. Tierney Graham Brisco
14. Maggi McClure Kep
15. Jim Cooper Amos
16. Lora Withnell Nell
17. Martha McHardy Ceri
18. Donna Donahue Taff
19. Brian Ricards Doc
20. Bob Hickman Trooper
21. Bonnie Block Gull
22. Heidi Hanson Pete
23. JB Brick Scamp
24. Karen Child Rock
25. Wendy Legare Towi
26. Jeff Marroni Carmen
27. George MacDonald Nap
28. Joe Haynes Penny
29. Susan Crocker Rani
30. Laura Vishoot Tucker
31. Sandy Johnson Joe
32. Dick Wilson Raygan
33. Lynne Green Kurt
34. Karen Mohney Grit
35. Ursula Pettyjohn Pete
36. Gael Gann Chili
37. Patrick Shannahan Riggs
38. Dave Imas Cap
39. Linda DeJong Pooka
40. Maggi McClure Lil
41. Elissa Thau Nell
42. Sue MacDonald Jackie
43. Bob Hickman CBK Mojo
44. Jim Cooper Sweep
45. Diane Pagel Nan
46. Donna Donahue Kate
47. Lora Withnell Sally
48. Karen Child Jim
49. Patrick Shannahan Andi
50. Laura Vishoot Brynn

SUNDAY
Open

1. Karen Child Jim
2. Joe Haynes Penny
3. Maggi McClure Kep
4. Dave Imas Cap
5. Cheryl Munson Flint
6. Laura Vishoot Brynn
7. Wendy Legare Towe
8. Jim Cooper Sweep
9. Elissa Thau Nell
10. Martha McHardy Ceri
11. Patrick Shannahan Riggs
12. Monique Feyrecilde Lucy
13. Karen Mohney Grit
14. Heidi Hanson Pete
15. Lora Withnell Sally
16. Sue MacDonald Jackie
17. Bob Hickman CBK Mojo
18. Susan Crocker Rani
19. Corinne Berg Tay
20. Dee Marroni Cap
21. George MacDonald Nap
22. Ron Green Tigr
23. Jim Cooper Amos
24. Patrick Shannahan Andi
25. Heather Haynes Lad
26. Tierney Graham Brisco
27. Diane Pagel Roo
28. Sandy Johnson Joe
29. Ursula Pettyjohn Pete
30. Donna Donahue Taff
31. Judy Norris Glee
32. Brian Ricards Doc
33. Jeff Marroni Carmen
34. Bonnie Block Gull
35. Dick Wilson Raygan
36. Linda DeJong Pooka
37. Gael Gann Chili
38. JB Brick Scamp
39. Elissa Thau Tom
40. Bob Hickman Trooper
41. Lora Withnell Nell
42. Laura Vishoot Tucker
43. Karen Child Rock
44. Sue MacDonald Jan
45. Maggi McClure Lil
46. Jim Cooper Zot
47. Donna Donahue Kate
48. Diane Pagel Nan
49. Patrick Shannahan Java

 

Is this a sheepdog or a lamb?

A lamb rescued after birth and brought up with a springer spaniel is convinced he is a dog.

Six-month-old Jack fetches sticks, wears a collar and a lead, jumps up on his hind legs - and even tries to bark. Jack does not even recognise his own kind and tries to herd other sheep when he is in a field with them, reports The Sun.

Owners Alison Sinstadt, 48, and partner Simon Sherwin, 50, were stunned when Jack befriended their nine-year-old springer spaniel Jessie. Ms Sinstadt, who farms at Market Drayton, Shropshire, said: "He makes this strange half baa, half woof noise which everyone finds hilarious.

"Jack doesn't even recognise sheep as his own kind as he tries to herd them up when he's in a field with them."

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