The Semifinals For Some, Spectating For Others

So after it was all done, all competitors came to the tent to evaluate their scores. For the outrun, lift and fetch Gin had 6 (per judge) off (thinking about it now, I shouldn't have said anything to Gin on the outrun, and she would have done it right by herself), a big 15 off of the drive, 3 off of the first shed, 4 off of the pen (yes had a wee bit of trouble) and 5 off of the last shed for a total of 77. At least I can say I finished, did not DQ or have to retire. The rest of the days of the World Trial would be of me and Penny Caster watching from the sidelines.

And the sidelines were wet. The grandstands were not able to have covering due to a huge windstorm as they were setting up the venue. Penny and I had to stand and watch the fun had by the semifinalists.


Singing in the rain.

Slipping in the mud.

I was sure glad I had packed my Muckboots along.

Within the venues, it was like a lake.

That didn't stop the shoppers though.

The true die hard fans of sheepdog trialing came to watch the semifinals.

Everyday there was television broadcast of trial on BBC. The big thing was whether Aled Owen would pull a hat trick. By the end of the day, he, along with 25 others, would have to be just happy with the semifinals.

Luckily Penny and I found these umbrellas in the place we were staying at - and they came in very useful.

If it had been warmer, I probably would have ventured to the bar, but the Hold My Lager Tour was to remain quite dry, in terms of drinking that is.

There was other things to watch as well, such as lure coursing.

The birds of prey were out, praying to get off their perches.

The venue would have been great, if the weather would have cooperated.

Going to the loos were quite slushy.

Thank God for the metal plank way they had laid down, without it, there would have been a world cup downhill mudding course on at the same time.

This beetle car was most popular, selling the fancy coffees.

But the show went on, and the semifinalists went through their paces for the crowd.

The theme of the day was good rain gear and...

....good attitudes.

Let Me Qualify The Qualifying Runs

For the most part, the qualifying runs were ran in the rain. Only the first day was a sunny day, after that the skies opened up, and dumped on our parade. Penny Caster was my personal groupie, and watched the trail with me as well. Mostly from the warmth of the car.

We watched Aled Owen from our vehicle. Why should we all get wet in the rain?

Marylou and Dayna was the first Canadian to run. She had a pretty fair run with what she was dealt with. She was one of the lucky ones to run in the sun.

Canadian teammate Jennifer and Bea was cheered on as well.

Jennifer and Bea didn't quite finish it all, but she had a decent run nonetheless.

On field three there were the likes of Kevin Evans. Standing room only to watch the top handlers.

The trial was well organized, setout and clearing the field were done expediently. Help came in all sizes.

Jennifer and her entourage.

Tommy and Sly was another one of the lucky ones that got to run in the sun.

Tommy finished with his pen and shed, and made it through to the semifinals.

I waited for the rest of the dogs to finish - I was 5th to the last to run on the last day of qualifying, and I would know what I would have to do to get into the semifinals. A 190 would do it (95/110). I know I could do it if I could set my mind to it.

After all the troubles sending Gin on the left this summer, I really wanted to send to the right...but, it was a left sided field. I gulped, told her to listen, and I sent her to the left. She went, and she went nicely.

The girls came quite nicely around the post. We got to the post, only 6 points off to my feet. Sheep were settled, we could do this!!

In my mind I was saying - Holy Crap, are we having a not too bad run...then Gin heard the infamous whistle from the other field which she of course took, and I could hear the "Tink, Tink" as the points dropped away.

We finished our drive, me thinking, "I have come all this way, and I am going to finish this thing!" Our first shed was done....

.....the pen was done.......and the shed was complete....and so was my fun in (not) the sun at the World Trial.

Penny and I went to a pub for supper that night.

Fish and chips were on MY menu.

I then proceeded to drink my sorrows away.

It killed my pain....

....just a little.

Not the Gay Pride Parade

One of the big things for the World Trial was the parade. All the competitors loaded up into buses and headed their way down to Penrith.

The Canadians were in full force. MaryLou was parade marshall (well, not really, but it looked as if she was barking orders). Kathy Keats was flag bearer since she was tallest.
Jennifer Larivee and I made up the rest of the crew. I had a yellow jacket so that I could be found. A yellow corn between the roses.

We walked through the town of Penrith, the streets being closed down for our homage.

There were spectators from around the world. I was ready for Ben Mulroney from Entertainment Canada to come out to interview us. But alas, he was not there.

The bobbies were in full force to direct traffic.

I and Gin helped him stop the traffic.

It felt like we were in a mile long parade.

This was the band that toured us through the town.

After the parade, I went back to have a meal on roast hog.

On the left side of the picture you can see part of the orchestra that played while we ate.

One more sleep, and the World Trial would begin!!!