As The Wool Turns

Well it has been a couple of weeks now, but it almost seems like yesterday that we were at the Stampede for the World Stockdog Championship.

The woolly girls were all ready to give the handlers the run of their lives.
This was Creed's first year in the competition, and thought I would throw him in. If truth be told, the position would have been for Fly, but I don't think you are allowed to bring a megaphone in the competition so your deaf dog can hear.


Gin was one of the first ones to run, and one of the first pens.

The time was 2:28, good enough for 6th on that first run. Competition was stiff.

There were the likes of Randy Dye and Tuck (which happens to be Creed's half brother). Tuck thought he was still in the setout mode - thinking he had to grab them to make them move.

Jimmy Walker was down with his two dogs, Angie and Mitch. As an aside, both of Jimmy's dogs were in the Triple Crown Event - taking in arena trials and the Wild Rose Classic field trial. Jimmy, like myself, believe that these dogs can do it all and be competitive in all. Jimmy proved it last year when his Mitch won the Triple Crown and $1500. It was to be seen who would be the 2011 winner.

Most of the pictures taken during the Stampede was done by 8 year old nephew Joey, who took this picture of Kristi Oikawa and Rex. He may have a career in the making.

My twin sister Holly was down as well.

Chris was able to remove himself from the ponderosa down in Mankota and run Jill and June. He had a pretty fair first run with Jill, but forgot to take his valium for his second run.Then there was the Ewe Box. Christine Jobe (my new best friend), found us a cozy spot, with refreshments to watch the evening's performance. Then there was the performance in the Ewe Box itself.

I've got friends in low places, and even in the bathrooms.

The night is sort of a blur, I think there was something bad in the refreshments we had available.

There is many pictures to prove that it must have been a good time.

I do remember my designated driver (Joey) drank my coke and rye by mistake(?). We gave him a stiff coffee after and he was able to drive Chris and myself home.

We did see other things besides the dog trial - cattle penning, heavy horse hitch, men flying through the air by a big cannon, and this chick with the worst sense of fashion ever. Some may remember her - it appeared she had sat in a vat of bleach, and ate the backside of her pants out and only thing showing were her bright pink panties. (Sorry boys, I didn't take a picture of that sight!)

When the two runs were done, the lucky people and their dogs going forward included Louanne Twa with Meg and Isla, Dale Montgomery with Ben and Zip, Valerie Kerik and Win, Diana Gauthier and Skor and Kip, Dave Claypool and Glen, Chris Jobe and Fly, Jimmy Walker and Mitch, Lee Lumb and Chica, Lisa Wright and Hope, Milton Scott and Bud and myself and Gin.

One of the happy winners that night was Jill Brodie - winning the Sponsors Choice trailer.

Now we will see a yellow truck pulling this baby around!

This year they made us do a grand entrance - all that was missing was the smoke!

Smithbilt hats were the sponsors this year - all of us receiving new hats (now I have two new hats!)

Milton Scott should have the award for most times getting into the finals....I think he is happy he got a new hat and not a new jacket.

Louanne seemed to be calm-or perhaps she was praying to the sheep gods.

The sheep were wily, and difficult to pen.

Many of us had good times to the pen, and may have won it if we could have got the darn things in!

Denae Frew and Bram did their best, as did the rest of us.

Diana Gauthier was one of the first to pen, and be on the leader board.

When the dust settled, Dave Claypool and Glen was Reserve....

......and Dale Montgomery and Ben was the Champion.

The other winner that night was Gin for the Triple Crown Event (and Creed won the Nursery portion of the Triple Crown) - it came down to the wire between Jimmy Walker's Mitch and Gin. Another successful year was accomplished...running dogs, running around and running up a tab. The Calgary Stampede has become our mini holiday every year, meeting old friends and having a great time.

Can't wait until next year!!!