The Championships Were Champion

The Kingston Sheepdog Trials has always been an annual event for me - joining up with old friends, meeting new friends, and watching the dogs.  Not a year goes by without memories (as long as not too much liquor is consumed) are made.

This year was the 25th year that the handlers and dogs came to Grass Creek. 

We would celebrate this time in style.  A truly fascinating event would take place.

In the words of Dr. Seuss..."Do you like my hat?"

The fashion police came out.

But no tickets were written.

The men would have their attire as well - flashy hats and ties.

And the games would go on (this was just like the Olympics - Olympic village and everything).  The four days would be full of watching dogs..

..some watched really close...

...and the judges watched closer.

On the other side of the coin, we would run our dogs...

I thought Kristi had the fancy shoes to run Wick, but it was to run away from the fuzz after the car she and Lee Lumb were renting was part of a sting operation.

The parking police, tougher than the RCMP - they get their man.

But I digress.  I ran my dogs, hoping to do better than at 80 acres, and the first day showed promise.

Nearly a pen was done, but again, time would be a factor.  A 75 was the final outcome of Gin's run...and by the end, and 85 was what I would need to get into the Double Lift - and I was feeling confident.  That soon would crash to the ground.  Usually the morning runs are good, the sheep want to work well, it is cool, yada, yada.  I was first up with Gin, she had a perfect outrun and lift, and then the fetch...and in the group was a ewe that her own pair of running shoes.  Speedy made it around the post and then towards the drive panels she would go, missing them, taking her buddies, and then directly to the bush...where that would end our run.  Lady Luck must have slept in.

With Floss, I had retired the first day - her being her fast self brought the best (of the worst) in her lot.  The second run would be better.

Actually her run was going quite nicely, I had done the shed, and the two went over the hill, she brought back one.  I decided to take the three over the hill, hopefully to join up with the other and bring them all back...but only three came back.  By the time I realized it, the single had flocked off and went to the bush...yet another DQ...but I was pleased with Floss-there will be a lot more trials in her future.

The sheep always had a hand to deal. Some went into the judge's tent to inform the judge how many  marks he should take off.

Others would count themselves to sleep.

After a day of running, the evenings were filled with good friends, good food and good times.

We tipped the waiters well.

(Don't spend the Canadian Tire Money all in one place Andrew.)

There was dancing in the streets.

One night was full of announcements and presentations.

And after the presentations were over, the party would continue.

Some of us made an ass of ourselves. (Shame on you Kate Ash.)

During the trial, the police had to be in to control the crowds.

This was mostly because of the illegal gambling done on the race track.

I had bet on Porky to win this one.

Porky had his bacon fried.

The exhibitors market had something for everyone.

The last day would come and the double lift would be done - some in the torrential rains - but the fascinators held up.

Warren Mick showed us that chivalry is not dead.

As the day wore on, the sun would come out, and the spectators would fill up the park.

The sheep had their own fascinators.

Presentations were made to the judges - Colin Gordon and Patrick Shanahan.

By the end of the day, Amanda Milliken and Rozz would be crowned 2012 Canadian Champions (and Kevin Gretton would become $430 richer, yes Ontario Lottery Commission, that is Kevin Gretton).

The next day I would fly out, not having to rush, I spent the morning with the Hale Women.

A drive back to Ottawa, and the girls and I were on our way back to Saskatchewan.

Once again, the Kingston Sheepdog Trials were memorable, and a fun time was had.  For those that haven't experience, it you should.  You won't be disappointed - I surely haven't been!

Tripping Out East

After our Hilltop Trial, I worked a few days (felt more like a respite), and then headed off to Regina after work to fly out to Ontario with Gin and Floss.  My nephew Adam was bachin' since the rest of the family went holidaying down south in South Dakota.  Adam had supper all ready for me and we caught up with his endeavors - which includes long distance running.  This kid runs over 100 km a week! Adam, for God's sake, they have invented cars you know!  The next morning I called a cab (and Abdul was afraid of dogs - great!) and got to the Regina Airport.  A flight out to Calgary, then a stop in Toronto and then finally to Ottawa and the Eastern Extravaganza was on its way!  I had come a week earlier to run at 80 Acres trial at Amanda's as well as the Canadian Championships that would be held at the Kingston Sheepdog Trials (my annual trip).

As ever, the trial host ensured everyone had coffee for the morning.  Cynthia Palmer showed the rest of us how to make perfect coffee.

Bev Lambert was trial organizer.  Being a retired librarian everything was organized...I do believe the Dewey System had a workout this weekend.

Don't make a librarian cross at you!

The guardian dogs tried to help during the trial. 

Patrick Shanahan was our judge for the weekend. 

It was a hot weekend, sweat poured over sweat.  Lee Lumb from B.C. had come out as well to become a shade holder.

There were long days ahead of us, but we all behaved and watched the trial.

Well, some of us behaved.

We took turns and helped set out.  Sue Shoen's daughter Emily was the important set out crew.

We didn't have to set out for long and backup would come and take over. 

Ooops - I meant this big white dog - John Palmer.

The scores would be high to win the first go round - Joni Swanke and Possum won with a 93.  By the time the first round was done I had walked off with Floss - first she crossed over, and then I used it as a training session, and then quickly ended that when she wouldn't listen.  With Gin, I had gone a bit too slow, getting a 73 without a shed and pen (so if I had them both flawlessly, we would have had a 93 as well - but then, we had a 100 points without an outrun, lift, fetch, drive, pen and shed - much better!)

When the day ended, I went to the 181st Napanee Fair. 

 I was staying with the Hales (whose daughter Chelsea made the signs above). Greg and Carolyn have had a bed for me for the past 6 years, and figured this year I would make time to check out the fair.  Their other daughter Laura is a type of girl that gets involved in all - and this year she entered many classes in the fair.

 Finding out she made well over $190 in prize money, I have decided maybe I would have better luck in attending fairs than running at dog trials.

We went through the rest of the fair, looking at all the entries.

Of course there was the midway.



And then there was the livestock.

I was on a rampage when I saw these "oxen".  One was a steer, one a heifer, and I knew oxen were steers.  I will apologize to the owners to this pair of oxen, heifers can indeed be part of an oxen team.  Mark this down in your calendars - Wendy Schmaltz was wrong.

There was also chickens to look at.

I thought I had a bad hair day!

Laura would finish her day showing her dairy calf - Chanel #5. 

But first, the very young dairy farmers would show their heifers.

Laura would show her heifer, and win her class.

In the back of mind I thought I should grab Laura for good luck - but since she had to go to the fair the next day, I left her at home.

The rest of the trial would continue, and we would all watch - trying to find that line.

I, being the chosen one, was able to get my fascinating fascinator - now, for those who do not know what that is, that is the fancy headwear worn by, most notably, the royal family.

Princess Kate, eat your heart out!

I ran Gin with style that day, but only got a 76 (pilot error with the drive panels).  After the day was done, a few of us went to supper in Kingston. 

Amanda and Monty eventually won the second go round with a 95.  They lost 5 points because Amanda wasn't wearing her fascinator.

The trial over, the next day I went to the fair again. 

This day I would witness the 4H club showing their best.

I would also witness the demolition derby.

It really reminded me of a Walmart on a Saturday afternoon.

Here is a part of the experience!

 http://youtu.be/s5pRH9m3Jrc

On a whim, I bought a 50/50 ticket.

And this little number won $1000!!!

With money in hand, I left the derby and made my way back to Kingston for the private screening of Away To Me - a movie made last year about sheepdogs and trialing - if you get a chance to watch it, do!  The members of the royal family were in attendance.

The first weekend over, now it was to get ready for the Kingston Trials. Preparation had to be done, liquor bought, places sourced out in case I had vehicle troubles and I wasn't able to drive at night. (Vehicle problems always happen when I go to the Kingston Sheepdog Trials - I should talk to Budget about that). 

Fun was still to be had!!