Slow As Molasses In January (and December, and February)

Okay, sorry.  The excuses can be everything from, work, dog trials, work, dog trials, and work.  One excuse I cannot use is housework...which I have done very little lately.  It is like a season of Dallas, and the question, "Who shot JR?"  The audience waiting with great anticipation to see what happens next in the ongoing saga of a lady...gone to the dogs.

Waaaayyyyy back in August of the year of our Lord 2013, we had finished the Canadian Border Collie Association Championships, and the next big trials were about to occur.  In the midst of waiting for trials, the birds and the bees were busy at our place.

Scotty and Fiona welcomed into the world 10 bundles of joy, with huge appetites.

 Some of them bid farewell, and became new security guards. 

 Two of them, Duane (Dog the Bounty Hunter) and Karma (she is a bitch) stayed behind to follow in their mother and father's footsteps.

Also during the summer, some yearlings were sent to market with help of neighbors trailing them to the yards.  This was not without drama, when a grain truck ran into the herd.  The beef resulting from this was very tender. 

Chris Jobe hosted her first Cypress Hills Trial, and what I remember of this was the wind, and toilets flying around.  Talk about shit hitting the fan.  But the show still went on!

This trial would help gear us up for the finale of the year, the USBCHA National Finals in Virginia.  Gin and Ky would be going this year.  Gin would go ahead of us, having a romance with Ky's father Don.  Ky, ended up flying with the Canadian contingency which would meet me there - Louanne Twa, Michelle Bryan and Billie Richardson.

 

The trio picked me up at the Dulles Airport, and we made a quick tour of Washington before we settled down for the trial.  The government had shut down at this time and all we could do is see everything from our vehicle (personally I think the Obama's didn't want us to visit because they would be overwhelmed by our class).

This tour bus would show us the way.

 After our whirlwind tour, we headed .back to the trial in Virginia. Gin was co-pilot.  She is such a good driver.

Meeting up with old friends is always the best when going to trials.

 Michelle's main job, as well as to be a guru, was also to finish her Master's.

 She was also designated drinker.

 Virginia 2013 was to be known as the trial where everyone wore rain gear.  At times, I was expecting an ark to float by.

Billie asking the Gods to stop the rain.

 She saved me from bugs that were raining from the ceiling.

 Ky watched the action from the sidelines.  I really do not remember how Ky and Gin did - obviously not stellar since we were banished to watch the action behind the fence.

 Louanne would get to the Nursery semifinals with Gus, Ky's younger brother.

 Billie would show the spectators what a good Aussie could do, getting into the semifinals in the Nursery.

 In the end, the 2013 Nursery Champion would be Scott Glen and Alice (Ky's and Gus's sister).  Go Canada!!

  Sometimes we would be caught with our pants down.

 Scott Glen would get into the finals, and eventually win the 2013 USBCHA National Finals with Don - Ky's father, and Gin's main squeeze.

 For midday entertainment there would be a mud bog...

 ...as well as the ceremonies.

 Thanks Bellgrove for the memories.

Oh yeah, thanks Michelle for the memories.  The drive back to Canada would have been so boring without you.

There was a little napping along the way back home.

We met up with fellow Canadians at the border.

Home to the sunshine.

We behaved ourselves at the border, and we got across with no problems.

One last drink to celebrate the great times and memories had.

So there it was, in a nutshell.  The trip was crazy nuts.  The Canadian Contingency got home, and got ready for the next trial (since that is what we do).  That story will follow.

 

 

She's Baaaacckkkk!

Okay, I am sorry.  Sometimes like a creek, the creative juices get kind of dried up, and takes a while for things to flow again.  Here it is the end of November, and I am waaayyy behind in the blog.  So much has happened, so little time to put it down.  Well, first things first, lets go back and start filling in all of the happenings of 2013 - a year to remember - and for me, a year to forget.  It will all come to light as the blog progresses, so don't fall off of your seat as you are sitting on the edge of it.  And if you sit like that too long, you may end up with tingling in your legs (but maybe that is just me).

So backtracking to August, we had just finished the Western Canadian Finals - with Peter Gonnet and Taff winning it, and myself and Gin being Reserve.  Louanne Twa and Gus (Gin's son) won the Nursery (and in due time you will see how great the Gin/Don clan can do). 

So after the Western Canadian Finals, Jenny the Donkey and her crew had a well deserved rest.

 On to the Canadian Border Collie Association Championships, the buck stopped at Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.  Jamie VanRyhn (soon to be Gardner) was the hostess.  Buck - aka Jack Knox - was the illustrious judge to watch the dogs.  Occasionally we had to make sure his eyes were open since he looked very comfortable in his judging perch.

 Dale Montgomery had supplied the ewes for the event.  They tested all of the handlers.

 Norm Sommer and Lexi did their routine - they were to practice before they were going on to Soldier Hollow.

 Some handlers, such as Randy Dye, felt that he could move the sheep through the power of his own actions.  Oh, he would say the wind was blowing very hard that day, but we all knew differently.

 It was a type of trial that everyone lent a hand to help things roll.  Tierney Graham and Brisco helped to set out the sheep for fellow handlers.  Chris was the designated sheep driver of the trial, but on the Saturday, he had to go back to Alberta to witness his niece get hitched up.  I stayed behind and tried to fill his shoes - which is difficult since I wear a size 8 and he is a 10. 

 My running during the trial was not stellar as I remember.  I know this since I did not get into the double lift.  Randy Dye and Sweep got into the double lift, it was a great way to retire a hell of a dog - Sweep that is, not Randy.

 I spent most of the day up at the set out pens, doing my part to make sure the handlers below were smiling.

 The nuts of the organization.  Without the set out crew, the wheels of the trial would fall off.

 The view from the top.

 Floss worked her buns off in the hot Saskatchewan sun.

 When it was all said and done, a tall leprechaun from Ireland won the whole enchilada.  Micheal Gallagher (who in the heart of hearts wants to be a Canadian) showed us how it was done.  Here he is accepting an award from Bob Stephenson for the top Canadian registered dog run that was trained by the handler.

The Scotsman and the Irishman poses for a photo. 

 It was a great trial - even though in the beginnings it was a pain (but we won't rehash that - we will let bygones be bygones).  Jamie and her crew did a great job, and people walked away with smiles.

So that was August.  I will now have to go back into my diary and see what was the next events to occur in this crazy year we called 2013.

Let's Face It, I Will Never Get Caught Up

Let's see, this is October, and last time I left off we were in beginning of July.  Really, what could have happened in a few months?  Well....LOADS!  If I would have known what it would have been like, I would have asked for a seatbelt for this rollercoaster ride.

July was filled with organization for the Western Canadian Finals....a finals that almost did not occur.  While attending the Last Chance Trial put on by the Glens in New Dayton, Alberta, it came to light that there was a very low attendance for this longstanding trial-the oldest in Canada actually. Unfortunately, without the handlers and their dogs, the event would be exactly like watching paint dry.   Never mind that I had travelled to every parade in southern Saskatchewan this year to promote the dogs, never mind that I had sent fliers to every small town in the south, and never mind that there was a large amount of leg work that had been done to put on a first class event (minus the dancing girls of course - they were busy that weekend).  Some handlers had pulled out due to health issues of their dogs, some decided not to come since it was too far (I will have to check Google maps, I did not realize Mankota, Saskatchewan was actually farther than Meeker, Colorado for some), and some decided not to come to make a stance (which was okay, would be more room in the stands for others to watch good dogs).  I had added more classes for those who would attend if I did so....and bought more ribbons for them.  Excuses why they couldn't come...the judge....the time away....a new job.  These excuses came from the same person (come on, pick a reason and stick with it).

In a moment of weakness, I decided to call the whole thing off - really, did I want to go through the work for a handful of handlers and their dogs?  Really crappy things had to be done -toilets were cancelled,  sheep were told to stay home, caterers cancelled, put it on Facebook so that the masses knew, phone the handlers who were planning to attend so they could change their plans and let the judge Jack Knox know that he would not be needed - but wait - Jack had to come early for a clinic that he was doing the weekend before.  Another sleepless night and then....undo everything again.  Call handlers back and see if they would come.  Some have busy lives, and in the period of 48 hours they had already made alternate plans, others needed slight urging (begging) to come.  The event was placed back on, and before it would be completed, I would first have to go to the McCrae clinic.  The clinic was hosted by Chris Jobe, and it was very informative.  Who would have thunk....if your dog has a good stop you can run better at a trial.  Ingenious really!  Turning the post....who knew the idiosyncrasies that were involved with it?  Why oh why didn't we have the clinic earlier on in the season so I could have stopping dogs which could turn a post better?
So for those of you who like pictures, here are a few.
Our hostest with the mostest - Chris Jobe.

 All the attendees....some appear to have their brain too full with information.

Alistair teaching with the famous cones.  I do believe cone sales rose abruptly in Medicine Hat after the clinic.

The clinic was open to young and old.

Ryan tells his dad what he had learned from Alisdair.

 Chris did a wonderful job- and minus the rattlesnakes- the attendees had no problems.

I would rush to go home and get ready for the 2013 Western Canadian Finals the following week - and in a blink of an eye (sometimes teary.... if you haven't put on a trial without some emotion, you have not done a good job), and it was over.  The spectators - which outnumbered the handlers and their dogs - saw some great action.  Mankota also saw some action as well, as our sheep decided to take a few ventures down towards town.  It was a small, intimate group of handlers, and some of them lined their pockets well with money and prizes.  The sheep were not all that easy, and the trial field was great (have to warm up to the owner so we can use it again next year). 
Now, here is another picture interlude.
We used our own lambs for this project - I do not think they knew what was up!

 A lively bunch.

Spectators came from all over (note the hood).

The handlers came from all over as well (thanks Closes from coming).

 Dale Montgomery.

Just one of the many times I had to retrieve the sheep from downtown.

 Peter Gonnet.

 Retrieving the sheep from downtown (again).  It was like Groundhog Day.

 It was a hot time for all.  I often would change my hat to setter during the event.

The double lift went off without a hitch.  Peter and Taff would eventually be crowned the 2013 Western Canadian Champion.

 The loot.

Gin would eye up her winnings of the weekend, she was Reserve Champion.
Her son Gus would become the Nursery Champion.

My ass was thoroughly tired after the event. 

 The next day the Closes came out to help us move some heifers.

 Vicki brought out her camera to take pictures - say cheese Bryn!

Looking back, I am glad I was stubborn enough to carry through with it all.  I do not think people lied saying it was a good trial.  I am sure the pain of it all will be like childbirth, and I will forget about it and host another one next year.
Please stayed tune for the next exerpt of the 2013 summer happenings.  Truly, I will get caught up.  I do not like loose ends.