Roll Out The Barrel

 Well the annual Clock, Stock and Barrel came and rolled out.  This year I had brought Floss -who is going to jump in the deep end - hope she can dog paddle well - and become my second open dog this year.  For her first time out this year, I can't say I was disappointed.  The first round she found herself with some cantankerous ewes and she had to eventually floss her teeth, and the second go round we almost penned the sheep.  In actuality, she was getting me dizzy around the pen - her middle name is after her mother Fly.  And flew she did.

Floss ready to floss her teeth

My old stand by Gin - I really could have stood on her head.  The first round was good, pens weren't that easy, and I got a pen, so all that we had to do was to pen the second round and get into the finals.  I guess she was watching Floss to closely, and decided that they had to be goosed at the pen.  Had a good suggestion from Shawna Burton - run the dog with a muzzle, put some nice rhinestones on it - nothing in the rules to say otherwise - I however may resort to duck tape.

Gin and I working for that pen.

There were some new faces in the competition this year.  Wife and husband team, Naomi and Bill Shields.  Word of advice for wife and husband teams - training together rarely works - unless one of you is dead.

Naomi and Nim

Bill and Blue

In between runs, there was other things to watch during Aggie Days.  My nephew Joey learned how to ride a bucking bronc.

I and Gin helped Jill Brodie with a duck demonstration - I may have to get her eyes tested - she tried really hard to move this plastic duck, but to no avail.

Jill Brodie working the crowd.

Billie Richardson and her Aussie also helped - no heads were rolling by the end of the demo - a sign of a sure success. 

We hopped to other demos to watch - Bunny Agility at its best! 

I got to visit with royalty briefly - Princess Dani Gariepy who is the daughter of our friends Ann and Reg.

 Then the top 6 got into the finals.  Tyler Harker was piggish and got two of his dogs in. He got second and third.

Steve Rosvold had to keep Saskatchewan alive in the finals - otherwise it was an Alberta affair!

 Cory Perry and Jill had trouble at the pen.

George Walker showed all that a Kelpie can do the work as well.

Judy Finseth and Kate turned out to be the big enchilada of the day.

So 2012 Clock, Stock and Barrel is in the recordbook. Our next trip will be out to Saskatoon for a cattle trial, and a stopover to do a duck demo for Pet Expo in Regina-the 2012 trial season has begun!