Wild And Wooly Trialing!

Finally the blog for The Bow River Classic! I had worked like I was in a sweatshop for the past few months so I could have my down time with the dogs. So I left work, and then the next day, I packed up the dogs (9 border collies, and 7 jack russells) and my niece Hannah and her brothers Mathew and Joey in Dora the Explorer. I really wished I took a picture of our circus - I told Mathew it was like a big puzzle - to get all the dogs in and the kids and the kennels packed in, since Chris was going to take the dogs back to Mankota so I could do my next leg of my travels from Bassano.

We got to Bassano and found Ian and JoAnn Zoerb, Warren Mick (the judge) and Leeanne Huber at the local watering hole having supper. I and the kids were quickly asked to leave the premises - even when I noted the kids were just midgets - nonetheless children and liquor are not allowed in the same vicinity.

We got settled in our hotel room, and the mornings started early.

The dogs liked stretching their legs in the large lot that was outside the hotel.

The first day of trialing went off well, not sure where my camera was, but no pictures of that day. We (Chris and I) ended up putting the kids to bed that night-leaving their older brother in charge, and then having a nightcap with Stormy and his wife Pat, Jerry (the chef) and his better half Billie, Leanne (the super scribe) and Grant Armstrong - the owner of the trial field. Jack Daniels was also in attendance for the evening.

The next morning, Grant Armstrong flew in with Warren Mick to the trial field.

He then took Mathew and flew him to the set out pen where Mathew spent all weekend working the sheep.

Grant took him for a quick tour before he landed at the set out.

Chris made sure the first set was on the field by 7 am - taking his job very seriously. The horses we brought were broke to another thing - planes.

Partying was too much for some.

Chris and I did most of the setting, Mathew worked the pens. Thad Buckler, Peter Gonnet and Louanne Twa did a little cowboying as well during the weekend.

Joey took some of the pictures - I had run Creed (in his first open trial) and Floss during the weekend. Surprisingly, Creed did not too badly -completing the sheds I asked of him. Cripes, I may have another open dog in the making after all!

I even got to the pen with Floss - finishing 3rd in the nursery! Will wonders never cease.

No crossing over for Floss this weekend - she wouldn't dare!

Joey and Joy did their trialing as well - and got some competition from Hannah and Gin (who she says is her dog now).

Joey showed the rest of the handlers how a proper drive should be.

The team came very close in penning the old goats.

It was a scorching hot weekend, but visiting was still done. Jerry and Billie made a spectacular meal for us on Friday night -but we are still waiting for the corn.

I helped with the set out with Chris as well. No double lift for me and Gin, so it was an opportunity to bring the young dogs out to work off a horse.

The view from up top. Joanne and Mik working (at least I think that was Mik).

Milton and Bud helped to take the collars off the sheep - out of the 14 double lift dogs - I think there was only 1 that didn't complete the shed - says a lot for the western handlers!!

Scott and Maid won first, and his Don came in second.

Ian and JoAnn were the best hosts, and Warren did a great job judging.

The highlight for Joey was getting to ride with Grant in his plane (next to winning his cap for Junior Handler of course).

Then I got to ride in the plane (a winning raffle ticket!!) What a way to end the weekend!!

Grant Armstrong the pilot.

He took me for a tour over the countryside.

I am not sure how much he had drank - lots of times the plane wasn't level.

I asked where the barf bags were, but there were none to be had!

We flew over the Bassano Dam and searched for floaters - none were to be seen. A few fishermen unfortunately seem to end down stream every year.

One would have never known the scenery. Good way to check the cows.

Start of the badlands.

And the first time in this blogs history - video!! You have my blessing to live vicariously though me!!