Recapping the Finals

The 2009 USBCHA National Finals came to an end on Sunday. The results can be found on the USBCHA web site http://www.usbcha.com/09%20-%20National%20Open%20Runs.htm. There were many blogs that gave detailed coverage of each run, letting the world feel like it was right there in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Congratulations to Alasdair MacRae and Nap...completing the final day with a 594...80 points above the second place team, Alasdair MacRae and Star.

For professional photographs from the finals, be sure to visit Bonnie Block at http://fieldandfarmphoto.com/sdt_2009/ Thank you Bonnie for the above photo...the only one I have from the finals!

Jeff and Dee Marroni from Marroni Photography were also taking pictures of the runs. You can visit their web site at http://marroniphotography.com/

Geri Byrne will have DVDs of the 2009 finals for sale at her web site http://www.bcollies.com/videos.htm The DVDs should be available at the end of October.....great idea for Christmas!

I want to take a moment to thank all those that have contributed to this blog......and also thank all of you that have faithfully read it! It has been a fun journey......now we begin to get ready for the 2010 USBCHA National Finals!

See you in Virginia!

Final Day live blog

Pearse Ward will be commenting on each run of the final day over at Comebye.Net

Countdown Continues......pretrial prep

While many handlers are taking advantage of a local trial, close to where the finals are going to be held......Derek Fisher is working his dog to fine tune her......and enjoys time working with friends that are making their way to the finals. Amanda working her dog on BLM land

We woke up and headed out to the desert to work dogs the other morning. We were quite the sight. Amanda and I were in the front seat while Bev had the bed of the truck as we drove a few miles to the BLM ground near my house. It was interesting to see others work their dogs. What was more interesting was the fact that we all seem to have the same problems. All in all the dogs worked very similar. The sheep became tired and so some of our dogs weren't quite as on form as we would have liked but it worked well. At this point in my preparation for the finals, I've seen some of the areas of fault for myself and my dog so I can fit my training schedule a bit for those needs. Jen's outruns are good so I'm just looking at getting in contact with her at the top of the field. I have only a few more works before the finals so I have to keep focused on keeping everything enjoyable and productive.

Bev leaving Idaho on the road to the Finals

The day after Bev, Sandra and Amanda left, I went north to Robin Nuffer's to work dogs. It was nice to get away and take a drive into the beautiful scenery. The dogs did well and it was a great visit.This morning I went out and set just a few sheep out to work. Jen did very well. She still isn't flanking just right but I'm going to Diane Deal's tonight to get in one last work in before I leave in the morning. That should free her up nicely.Jen working at Robin's

Editor's note: The blog will be updated regularly throughout the finals, with input coming from many sources including Derek Fisher. Pictures, insight and maybe a video or two.....so be sure to check back!

See you at the Finals!!!!

Kathy Knox Shares

The countdown continues.....five days......then we are kicking off the 2009 USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals in Klamath Falls, Oregon! Kathy Knox, USBCHA National Champion in 1995 and Reserve National Champion 2005, took some time to ponder a few questions I have been asking handlers across America.....here is what Kathy had to share:

Not trialing anywhere near enough, have been to 1 trial since April, so dogs and I are very rusty. I'm trying to school my dogs without putting so much pressure on them that they sour. So basically I am starting out not expecting much, but then as each day goes on I am expecting them to be quicker to respond to commands and also in how they are reading the sheep themselves. I always joke that I usually bring my dead spot with me, that would be Tweed:) I don't really worry to much about terrain, sheep, etc I hope that the trust and confidence that my dogs have in me will carry through away from home, and visa versa. I try and not over think things, I go with the attitude I'll do the best I can and hope that it's enough. If I start to worry about all the things that can go wrong I might as well not even go,I just try and handle the problems that arise as they happen, and hope that I have prepared enough for them.If I haven't then I have only myself to blame, not my dogs, the course, sheep, set out people, judge, trial coordinators, the list could go on and on. I say this hoping people realize I am partly kidding, but partly serious, do your homework right and hope for the best, but if things don't go as well as you had hoped, look for the areas that maybe you didn't prepare enough and improve from that. Remember this is supposed to be about these wonderful dogs, not about us and our egos.

Thank you, Kathy!

Well, folks, save travels as you make your way to Oregon. See you at the Finals!!!!

The Countdown Continues

Derek Fisher shares his last thoughts on Meeker.....

Well I took yesterday off from anything very strenuous. I took the dogs for a hike and took my time getting to the trial field. It was nice. One thing I've found difficult on this trip has been keeping my dogs fit so when I get home I'm going to really work on getting Jen into a bit better shape than she is now.My run was a tough one but I was pretty pleased with her none the less. Fridays running was tough with only a few decent runs the whole day. The high point being Tom and Beverly's which were debatable the best runs of the pre-lims. Then, for some reason, the sheep got nice for about 5 runs after lunch. When Fonsi and I were waiting we both thought that we would have a good chance at getting in but on his run the sheep started to fight. The next run with Ron Burke they fought too and my run was no different. It was a tough situation but I was pretty happy with my dog. She listened well and, except for some handling errors on my part and no pen I think we weren't totally out of the running. So needless to say I was bummed but I was very happy with my dog. It was a bit over her head but she kept on and I'm looking forward to getting ready for the finals which I think she's a bit more suited for at the moment.Yesterday afternoon I got to have lunch with he Swedish handler Alberto and his wife, along with Fonsi and his wife. It was great fun. Alberto and I must be related because we both have a disorder that makes us slightly obsessed with pedigrees. We spent a good bit of time talking dog lines and all. They were a very nice addition to the trial. It's refreshing to get a new perspective and hear people's opinions from a different side of the world. We aren't so different, really.Last night was great fun. We went to the timed trials and most of us entered a dog. Fonsi has a reputation for doing well so I was pleased to see him go before me but he had some bad luck. Then Alberto and Amanda went and now my turn. At one point of my run I was running sideways and whistling at Jen and they said it looked like I was doing some kind if jitterbug. I ended up coming second to Sonia and Alberto was third behind me. It was a good laugh. All in all Meeker isn't just another trial. It's an event that comes second to none. The set out has been incredible and the organization runs like a well oiled machine. I can wait to come back next year and try again. This is where they psychology comes in for me. I have to keep focused on my goals of doing well at the finals even though my run here wasn't as good as I wanted. I can't dwell on this as a failure but I look at it as a stepping stone for my dog and I. If I think of the dog I had a year ago and the dog I have today, there is no contest and I'm amazed at how far she's come in a short amount of time.So I'm going to go to the trial field and watch a run or two then head out. I'm looking forward to getting home and working my dogs to prepare for the sheep at the finals.

Editor's note: Well, folks just a few days until I depart for the 2009 USBCHA Finals! I drove by the fields on Monday and they are being harvested for the last time this growing season. The nursery field had alfalfa down...and hay was beign cut on the open field. The sheep are being sorted and getting ready for the haul from the Willamette Valley to Klamath Falls. While handlers from all over the United States and Canada are beginning to start their journey west. Be sure to check out the web site for running orders, volunteer schedules, and have a look at the souvenirs!

See you at the finals!

Advice to the First Timer

I was able to ask Ray Coapman who, handling Sally won the 1999 Nursery Finals, "what advice would you give somebody that this is their very first time to run a dog at the finals?" Ray kindly responded with some sage words:

First-time contestant should 'play their own game'. That is to say that you should know what got you into the Finals, so don't go out there and try to play 'over your head' just run the way you always do. Know what you and your dog do well and go out and do it. Don't worry about the other contestants or the big-hats (truth is that their also 'playing their own game' too and not worrying about you). Also, pay attention to the sheep and know the course.


Great advice to think about as we continue our countdown to September 22nd....see you at the finals!

Meeker...by Derek Fisher

The first day is over. One thing about trials like this is you have to make sure you are surrounded by really great people that are going to provide for you what you need. In my case I like to be around people that make me laugh and think all at the same time.This morning Amanda had a great run with Ethel taking the lead with a 77. It was that beacon of hope that we all were looking for. The idea that you can control your dog and the sheep at the same time was a lost one for a while.But as it turns out that beacon was a brief one. I decided to go to the practice field and take a half hour to remind my dog what "come bye" means as it is the most used command over the course of the week. She did fine and now I'm unsure whether I should have gone or not but Jen did actually work pretty well. And the sheep here actually will suit her just fine. The bigger issues I've had before seemed to have taken a vacation so I feel good about that. I run tomorrow in the afternoon and it should be fine. Everyone here, or mostly everyone, seems to think they are very difficult but so far I have maintained the idea that they are doable. But the inky question is can the dog handle the sheep and the handling?

At the moment I'm sitting with Bev, Amanda, Sandra and Don Wittington. We have now christened this motley mix "The Contemporary Crew". Diversity is held so close to the trialing crowd that we are the epitome of awesome now. Everyone wants to be us at the moment. So far the judging, spotting and organization have been phenomenal. What a trial.

Editor's note: Well, folks....11 days and counting until we meet at the finals. More on Meeker from Derek Fisher....who runs today.....coming soon! Monday, I am down to the fields and will grab some up-to-date photos of the beautiful fields......