The Final Blog For The Finals

Okay, it has only been 4 days since I got back from the finals, and it seems like it has been weeks ago - possibly that is because now I am wearing winter underwear, and only a few days ago I was wearing shorts. In any regards, here is what most of you have been waiting for - pictures of the adventures out west. 

 I drove through Frank's Slide.  I stopped and bought a lottery ticket, and told the the lady if I won, I would come back and share the prize with her.  I cashed in the ticket.  Lady, I will be back to share the $2.00 with you - maybe next year.

 Driving through B.C., and Idaho, there was lots of water and trees to see.

 Then there was Washington, as it whizzed by.

 As I drove over this bridge, I thought of Norm Sommer, and his fear of bridges.

 And then again, I thought of Norm Sommer as I saw the windmills...as they sucked me over to the other side.

 I saw Oregon farmers make hay while the sun shone.

 And then I saw vast plains of plainness.

Since we made good time, I stopped to see some sights.

 Yup, this was a drop.

 I am sure Norm Sommer would love to see this place.

 Basically, this was the old highway that was built over the canyon in 1926.

 And this was the new highway.

 Old.

 New.

I finally crossed the bridge and carried on my way.

Then I saw another place to explore.

                                                               Felt like a butt in an ashtray

Chippy came out to greet me.

It was a beaut!

Then a few more miles down the road was done.

And finally ended up to where there was a lake beside a petered out volcano.

And then there were these falls to witness.

The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was gignormous!

Then I took a small hike downwards.

And viewed the falls from below.

I finished my hike before I fell, and drove by Crater Lake.

Finally I got to Klamath Falls, and the next day went to the trial field.  There, the next attraction was seen.

The Princess needed time to get ready for the day.

The other Princess took little time to get ready.

Princess Wright got right down to breakfast.

We all slipped into town to get some groceries.  At the market, we found some excitement around a  couple of police cars.  I, being the detective I am, started taking pictures.

The fuzz was everywhere.



Then there was the little old lady, who strolled right past the action.  Guess it was just another day in Klamath Falls.

We got back, and I fed my dogs (no, I don't intentionally feed the hounds this way).

The camping field was not full, but in 24 hours it would be bustling.

There was a handler's meet and greet that evening, and then we met and greeted some wine bottles - a little Flirt and PromisQity was to be on the agenda, but Menage a Trois was to be left alone.

And the party began.

Then the snow fell.

And then the blizzard got worse (no it didn't, someone must have sneezed on my lens).

Hub's Titty Ranch

Hail to the King.

Bow down everyone.

Our cupeths were empty at time.

Some more empty than others.

Then I lost my camera for the night as I check the pivots in the field. Allison Holmes then took pictures of inside their new Home Away From Holmes Trailer.

Peek-A-Boo

The next day, we were all dog tired.  Especially Joe - who seemed to have the toughest life of all.

The Judges would also have a tough life for the next few days.

The newspaper crew was out.

All border collies would watch the trials from various vantage points.

Some tried to change the courses.

I planted a lucky loonie in the nursery field.

Lee Lumb and Gus would be the first to feel the luck on the nursery field.

Pam Boring also would get some luck on the open field as she whipped and spurred her way to the semi-finals.

Joann Zoerb and Mik would not be as lucky.

Louanne and Mack would try their luck on the nursery field.

As luck would have it....

...she would have Sherry, the Cheviot that wouldn't pen.

I was lucky enough to have my picture taken with my sponsor - even though Gin wasn't lucky enough to get the sheep down the field.  Damn Toonie anyways.

However, the dogs were lucky enough to find this very large rodent.

Things were pondered over after the day's runs.

And we would ponder them the next day as the runs continued.

It was quite hard to stay hydrated during the hot days.

The judges watched closer.

The spectators watched even closer.

Hey, Bitch!  Down in front.

The crowd was even treated to a cowdog demonstration.  The cattle were more amiable than the sheep.

During one of the nights celebrations, Amazing Amanda got her Howling Hazel into the ABCA Hall of Fame.

Scott would have his dogs June and Don in the semifinals.

We worked to keep our strength up so we could cheer our Canadian friends on.

Scott, June and Don would carry on into the finals

Pam Boring and Mirk would get in as well (once again, I chalk it up to a great enema for Pam('s dog).

Joe watched by nervously as the semifinals continued.

Amanda and Rozz would get to carry on into the finals.

The Irish judge Micheal would watch the semifinals from the sidelines.

"Hey, how many points would you take off of that?"

Jenny Glen and Laddie would not be as lucky to get into the finals.

Dennis Gellings and Tess would come up slightly short as well.

Gord would not get into the finals as well (Wilson's friend).

Lou did not care about the finals, he cared about food.

The powers at be.

Lee Lumb did great to get into the semifinals.  She wasn't able to make it further, but Bob Stephens and Pete did.  Nine Canadians out of forty in the semifinals, and five moving onto the final seventeen - not bad at all!

We were all exhausted from watching so closely.

The final party night - first we would have a Calcutta - buying our pick to win the whole enchilada.  Our enchilada went for over $1300, and the North of 49 people bowed out of it graciously.

Then the more serious portion of the night resumed.  I found that some people found it quite difficult to count to two.  It was concerning it was one of the judges.

I grooved with my soul brother.  I taught him some new moves.

The next day would be the top seventeen - what we waited for all week.

One by one, the teams would come and go.  Thirty minutes at a time.

The presentation of the teams would be done in high fashion.

Some of us wore fascinators for the occasion.

 Congratulations all teams!



The anthems were sung with pride.

The end of the ceremonies would occur, and the trial would carry on.

 Fisher's Hair Salon open its doors.

 His hands were very busy.

 Some slept through the important runs.

 Gin did not seem to mind she did not get far in the finals.

 She did care about keeping hydrated.  Like her owner.

 Finally the trial was over, and the judges were relieved of their duties.  Red Solo Cup....did I not see you not that long ago?

 Judge Fogt made sure he captured the moment.

 Derek made sure Judge McCrae didn't need a haircut.

 The event was put all over the web.  Notice my soul brother, the cameraman.

 Reserve Winner - Jack Knox and Jim - the ones who penned the sheep.

 The big Weiners - Patricia McCrae and Cap - the ones who capped the whole thing.

 Then there were the biggest winners - the highest bidders for the most expensive team in the Calcutta.  Hey gals, thanks for having $50 more than I did.  It was $1300 worth of fun!

 So, there you have it.  The 2012 USBCHA National Finals through the eyes of this Canadian.  Only 350 days until 2013 USBCHA National Finals - let the countdown begin!