Power to the People!
It’s time to think about nominating judges for the 2008 National Finals, slated for Sturgis, South Dakota from September 9th through the 14th. Fill out this form and tell the committee where your nominee has judged, whether he or she has judged a double lift, whether he or she is familiar with the USBCHA judging guidelines, and in general why you feel that he or she would do a good job. Think about it carefully–choosing judges for the National Finals is an important decision, and as many HA members as possible should participate in the process.
news from the USBCHA
The two motions currently under consideration passed on March 16, according to the USBCHA forum minutes:
Beverly Lambert motioned the following, seconded by Lena Bailey. Motions passed.
1. At the National Finals there will always be water available on the field so the dogs can cool themselves and that handlers are allowed to direct their dogs to the water and the dogs may use the water with no points penalty. Handlers may not leave the post to go to the water with their dog. If the handler is on the way to or in the shedding ring or on the way to the pen they may detour to the water. The clock will not be stopped. Handler and dog are still being judged on the actions of the stock and anything that the stock do may cause a loss of points or if the stock leave the trial area disqualification. The HA recommends that all HA sanctioned trials adopt this rule.
Lena Bailey, yes
Judy Thayer, yes
Amanda Milliken, yes
Barb Ross, yes
Wilda Bahr, yes
George Stambulic, yes
Norma Stewart, yes
Dan Keeton, yes
Allen Hickenbottom, yes
Beverly Lambert, yes
Dick Williams, yes
Michele Howard, yes
Dean Holcomb, yes
Kate Broadbent, yes
2. Any judge that feels that a dog is not capable of continuing with his run because he is showing signs of stress should disqualify that dog and handler. This would include over heating, lameness or demonstrated inability to do the work required.
Lena Bailey, yes
Judy Thayer, yes
Amanda Milliken, yes
Barb Ross, no
Wilda Bahr, no
George Stambulic, yes
Norma Stewart, yes
Dan Keeton, yes
Allen Hickenbottom, yes
Beverly Lambert, yes
Dick Williams, yes
Michele Howard, no
Dean Holcomb, yes
Kate Broadbent, yes
A blogger after my own heart . . .
Luisa Serrano’s always-wonderful Lassie, Get Help! blog is especially wonderful today. Check out her hilarious, incisive, rant against my arch-nemesis, Jon Katz. Thanks for making my day!
Walt Jagger dies at age 85
Walt Jagger died this morning at the age of 85, after suffering a stroke at Sheepyhollow, his farm in Hop Bottom, PA, sometime yesterday. Walt is fondly remembered by the many beginning handlers whom he has helped over the years; he always had a kind word for novices discouraged after a bad run, just as he always had a kind pat for his dogs coming off of the trial field. 
Walt may be best known for his annual Pennsylvania State Championship Stock Dog Trial, held at Sheepyhollow since 1982: over the years, it has remained one of the largest and best-known trials in the East. All of us will miss Walt very much and offer our condolences to his family.
National Geographic: Animal Minds
In case you’ve missed it, check out the interesting article on Animal Minds in the March 2008 issue of National Geographic. The thrust of the article is an elaboration upon the Darwinian notion that animals are not the simple machines that many early twentieth-century researchers (fearful of being accused of any whiff of anthropomorphism) thought that they were: instead, animal cognition has evolved into something complex and creative. Not surprisingly to any of us who know the breed intimately, border collies who have seemingly astonishing vocabularies (and can even recognize two-dimensional pictures of toys as representations of the toys themselves) are used to illustrate the idea that the canine understanding of human language is something that has evolved over time because of the long association between dogs and human beings. The author of the article even speculates that these skills are especially prevalent in border collies because our dogs are bred to work and to pay close attention to commands while herding. The article is well worth reading, and I’d love to hear what people think about it.
Two River Run and The Working Border Collie Magazine become Sheepdog News sponsors
Welcome to Two River Run and the Working Border Collie Magazine, our two newest sponsors. Make sure to visit their sites to make them feel welcome!
USBCHA no-brainer #1 passes
I just saw the following update to the USBCHA Board minutes–looks like no-brainer USBCHA issue #1 has passed:
Emil Luedecke motioned and Barb Ross seconded, “A motion that is made and seconded must be placed on the USBCHA web site for one week, minimum, before it can be voted on by the board." Motion passed.
Allen Hickenbottom, yes
Dean Holcomb, yes
Barb Ross, yes
Lena Bailey, yes
Emil Luedecke, yes
Beverly Lambert, yes
Michele Howard, yes
Dan Keeton, yes
Wilda Bahr, yes
Laura Hicks, yes
Dick Williams, yes
Francis Raley, March 10, 2008
Suwannee River SDT Running Order
SATURDAY 3/15/2008 Starting Time 8 am
OPEN
1 Zimmerman, Barry Kate
2 Coggins, Ernest Boy
3 Garlick, Bruce Meg
4 Wall, Denise Zeke
5 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
6 Saunders, David Jake
7 Williams, Cheryl Toby
8 Williams, Dick Mirk
9 Eddy, Joyce Kit
10 French, Robin Spottie
11 Kelly, Judith Dustin
12 Nagel, Steve Ace
13 Tose, Penny Patrick
14 Anderson, Rose Chi
15 Korn, Joanne Ty
16 Skara, Stephen Blair
17 Ireland, Mark Joy
18 Register, MO Ralph
19 Kingsland, Kelley Bree
20 Garlick, Bruce Jim
21 Wall, Denise Kate
22 Coggins, Ernest Scott
23 Saunders, David Belle
24 Anderson, Rose Shen
25 Golden, Alex Brent
26 Nagel, Steve Tack
27 French, Robin Zac
28 Skara, Stephen Craig
29 Williams, Cheryl Spot
30 Kelly, Judith Crockett
31 Wall, Denise Mick
32 Williams, Dick Lass
33 Nagel, Steve Molly
34 Tindall, Sandy Lark
35 French, Robin Jet
USBCHA NURSERY 3/15/08
1 Saunders, David Curtis
2 Kingsland, Kelley Swiss
3 Anderson, Rose Marti
4 Zimmerman, Barry Bing
5 Young, Anita Jim
6 Saunders, David Ralph
7 Kingsland, Kelley Skye
OPEN SUNDAY 3/16/2008
1 Tose, Penny Patrick
2 Nagel, Steve Ace
3 Kelly, Judith Crockett
4 Zimmerman, Barry Kate
5 Anderson, Rose Shen
6 Tindall, Quinn Jaff
7 Skara, Stephen Blair
8 Wall, Denise Mick
9 Golden, Alex Brent
10 Williams, Cheryl Spot
11 Eddy, Joyce Kit
12 Williams, Dick Lass
13 Tindall, Sandy Lark
14 Register, MO Ralph
15 French, Robin Spottie
16 Kingsland, Kelley Bree
17 Nagel, Steve Molly
18 Garlick, Bruce Meg
19 Wall, Denise Zeke
20 Coggins, Ernest Scott
21 Ireland, Mark Joy
22 Anderson, Rose Chi
23 French, Robin Zac
24 Kelly, Judith Dustin
25 Williams, Cheryl Toby
26 Korn, Joanne Ty
27 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
28 Skara, Stephen Craig
29 Williams, Dick Mirk
30 Garlick, Bruce Jim
31 Coggins, Ernest Boy
32 Nagel, Steve Tack
33 French, Robin Jet
34 Wall, Denise Kate
SUNDAY USBCHA Nursery
1 Kingsland, Kelley Swiss
2 Young, Anita Jim
3 Anderson, Rose Marti
4 Zimmerman, Barry Bing
5 Kingsland, Kelley Skye
MONDAY 3/17/2008
Novice/Novice ROUND 1
1. Rabbitt, Karen Bree
2 Wilson, Ed Michael
3 Evans, Cindy Hope
4 Campbell, Mary Chloe
5 LeRoux, Jeff Sage
6 Mauran, Richard Jessie
7 Wilson, Ed Bonnie
Novice/Novice ROUND 2
1 Wilson, Ed Michael
2 Evans, Cindy Hope
3 Rabbitt, Karen Bree
4 Campbell, Mary Chloe
5 LeRoux, Jeff Sage
6 Wilson, Ed Bonnie
Pro-Novice ROUND 1
1 Kelly, Judith Tannis
2 Carter, John Ty
3 Williams, Dick Gwen
4 Eddy, Joyce Beckett
5 Young, Anita Jim
6 Korn, Joanne Flash
7 Anderson, Rose Buzz
8 Moses, Fred Will
9 Rogalski, Cathie Maude
10 Hyler, William Hank
11 Williams, Cheryl Tess
12 Register, MO Rachel
13 Sternberg, Ilsa Wizz
14 Kelly, Judith Steel
15 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
PRO/NOVICE ROUND2
1 Kelly, Judith Tannis
2 Anderson, Rose Buzz
3 Carter, John Ty
4 Sternberg, Ilsa Wizz
5 Register, MO Rachel
6 Eddy, Joyce Beckett
7 Williams, Dick Gwen
8 Rogalski, Cathie Maude
9 Williams, Cheryl Tess
10 Moses, Fred Will
11 Kelly, Judith Steel
12 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
RANCH ROUND 1
1 Anderson, Rose Marti
2 Zimmerman, Barry Jewel
3 Kingsland, Kelley Swiss
4 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
5 Williams, Cheryl Sammi
6 Tose, Penny Maid
7 Eddy, Joyce Gale
8 Tindall, Sandy Red
9 Kingsland, Kelley Skye
Ranch ROUND 2
1 Eddy, Joyce Gale
2 Anderson, Rose Marti
3 Kingsland, Kelley Swiss
4 Zimmerman, Barry Jewel
5 Tose, Penny Maid
6 Tindall, Sandy Red
7 Williams, Cheryl Sammi
8 Sternberg, Ilsa Mist
9 Kingsland, Kelley Skye
USBCHA Nursery
1 Kingsland, Kelley Swiss
2 Zimmerman, Barry Bing
3 Young, Anita Jim
4 Anderson, Rose Marti
5 Kingsland, Kelley Skye
Running Order: Top of the Hill, Fredericksburg, TX
2008 Top of the Hill SDT
Running Order
March 14-16, 2008
Open 1
1-Goracke, Mike-Josie
2-Parrott, Brooks-Roy
3-Long, Rodney-Sue
4-Fink, Vivian-Manfred Best
5-DeBusk, Terry-Jim
6- – –
7-Boudreau, Bud-Sam
8-Schreeder, Marianna -Nan
9-Mills, Allen-Sweep
10-McGuire, Michele-Molly
11-Burkey, Ron-Hank
12- – –
13-Brewer, Eddie-Dog 2
14-Oliver, Red-Blaze
15-Tose, Penny-Patrick
16-Enzeroth, Ron-Dustin
17-Goracke, Mike-Pal
18- – –
19-Schreeder, Marianna -Kate
20-Brewer, Eddie-Dog 1
21-Carpenter, Susan-Rose
22-Oliver, Red-Dan
23-Parrott, Brooks-Zack
24- – –
25-Oliver, Red-Luke
26-Pottinger, Craig-Scott
27-Boudreau, Bud-Jay
28-McGuire, Michele-Buddy
29-Carpenter, Susan-Joe
30- – –
31-DeBusk, Terry-Doc
32-Parrott, Brooks-Patch
33-Burkey, Ron-Tot
34-Schreeder, Marianna -Penny
35-McGuire, Michele-Nell
36- – –
37-Scott, Gary-Mac
38-Collins, Pat-Tide
39-Goracke, Steph-Liz
40-Boudreau, Bud-Delta
41—
Open 2
1-McGuire, Michele-Buddy
2-Schreeder, Marianna -Kate
3-DeBusk, Terry-Jim
4-Parrott, Brooks-Zack
5-Carpenter, Susan-Joe
6- – –
7-Goracke, Mike-Pal
8-Mills, Allen-Sweep
9-Oliver, Red-Dan
10-Boudreau, Bud-Sam
11-DeBusk, Terry-Doc
12- – –
13-Schreeder, Marianna -Penny
14-Oliver, Red-Blaze
15-Scott, Gary-Mac
16-Boudreau, Bud-Jay
17-Enzeroth, Ron-Dustin
18- – –
19-Parrott, Brooks-Roy
20-Collins, Pat-Tide
21-Goracke, Mike-Josie
22-Brewer, Eddie-Dog 2
23-Pottinger, Craig-Scott
24- – –
25-McGuire, Michele-Molly
26-Brewer, Eddie-Dog 1
27-Parrott, Brooks-Patch
28-Tose, Penny-Patrick
29-Burkey, Ron-Tot
30- – –
31-McGuire, Michele-Nell
32-Boudreau, Bud-Delta
33-Burkey, Ron-Hank
34-Carpenter, Susan-Rose
35-Goracke, Steph-Liz
36- – –
37-Schreeder, Marianna -Nan
38-Oliver, Red-Luke
39- – –
Nursery 1
1-Boudreau, Bud-Annie
2-Burkey, Ron-Sky
3-Carpenter, Susan-Nick
4-Luedecke, Emil-Spot
5-McGuire, Michele-Cora
6- – –
7-Mills, Allen-Sis
8-Pottinger, Craig-Dice
9-Scott, Gary-Joe
10- – –
Nursery 2
1-Pottinger, Craig-Dice
2-Boudreau, Bud-Annie
3-McGuire, Michele-Cora
4-Burkey, Ron-Sky
5-Scott, Gary-Joe
6- – –
7-Mills, Allen-Sis
8-Carpenter, Susan-Nick
9-Luedecke, Emil-Spot
10- – –
Open Ranch 1
1-McGuire, Michele-Smudge
2-Schreeder, Marianna -Fran
3-Boudreau, Bud-Howdy
4-Ellis, Jim-Lad
5-Lewis, John-Bud
6- – –
7-Payne, Gary-Queen
8-DeBusk, Terry-Later
9-Collins, Pat-Moss
10-McGuire, Michele-Tate
11-Crawford, Nancy-Ben
12- – –
13-Gillis, Betty-Spree
14-Pottinger, Carrie-Dave
15-Ross, Barb-Wink
16-Ellis, Jim-Jean
17-Crawford, Nancy-Jan
18- – –
19-Payne, Gary-Dru
20-Mills, Allen-Fly
21-Tose, Penny-Maid
22-Goracke, Steph-Kate
23-Boudreau, Bud-Meg
24- – –
25-Pottinger, Craig-Joe
25-Lewis, John-Quest
26-Goracke, Steph-Nina
27-Parrott, Brooks-Shane
28-Gillis, Betty-Liz
29-Wiggins, Carol-Jill
30- – –
Open Ranch 2
1-Schreeder, Marianna -Fran
2-Payne, Gary-Queen
3-Boudreau, Bud-Howdy
4-Lewis, John-Quest
5-McGuire, Michele-Smudge
6- – –
7-Gillis, Betty-Spree
8-Ellis, Jim-Lad
9-Goracke, Steph-Nina
10-Mills, Allen-Fly
11-Crawford, Nancy-Jan
12- –
13-Tose, Penny-Maid
14-Pottinger, Craig-Joe
15-Wiggins, Carol-Jill
16-McGuire, Michele-Tate
17-Lewis, John-Bud
18- – –
19-Payne, Gary-Dru
20-Gillis, Betty-Liz
21-Pottinger, Carrie-Dave
22-DeBusk, Terry-Later
23-Collins, Pat-Moss
24- – –
25-Riley, Chuck-Moss
25-Boudreau, Bud-Meg
26-Goracke, Steph-Kate
27-Ross, Barb-Wink
28-Parrott, Brooks-Shane
29-Crawford, Nancy-Ben
30- – –
Ranch 1
1-Woods, Katie-Jet
2-Abrams, Geri-Kate
3-Lewis, John-Flo
4-St James, Marilyn-Jack
5-Riley, Chuck-Nan
6- – –
7-Pearson, Rita-Miki
8-Ellis, Jim-Mitzi
9-Noble, Jo Anne-Belle
10-Calder, Mary-Jen
11-Sucamele, Joey-Rab
12- – –
13-Rhidenour, Steve-Roy
14-Miller, Peg-Mick
15-Moreland, Cookie-Tillie
16-Kieft, Sandy-Fly
17-Elliott, Joyce-Dot
18- –
19-Wolfe, Barbara-Lil
20-St James, Marilyn-Phil
21-Pearson, Rita-Sam
22-Noble, Jo Anne-Jan
23-Earle, Carolyn-Dekon (EXHIB)
24- – –
Ranch 2
1-Lewis, John-Flo
2-Noble, Jo Anne-Jan
3-St James, Marilyn-Jack
4-Riley, Chuck-Nan
5-Rhidenour, Steve-Roy
6-Pearson, Rita-Miki
7- – –
8-Abrams, Geri-Kate
9-Calder, Mary-Jen
10-Sucamele, Joey-Rab
11-Ellis, Jim-Mitzi
12-Kieft, Sandy-Fly
13- – –
14-Pearson, Rita-Sam
15-St James, Marilyn-Phil
16-Woods, Katie-Jet
17-Elliott, Joyce-Dot
18-Noble, Jo Anne-Belle
19- – –
20-Wolfe, Barbara-Lil
21-Moreland, Cookie-Tillie
22-Miller, Peg-Mick
23-Earle, Carolyn-Dekon (EXHIB)
24- – –
Novice 1
1-May, Linda-Jade
2-Hansen, Karen-May
3-Mueller, Richard-Sienna
4-Cossart, Shawn-Trick
5-Trapp, George-Jenny-
6- – –
7-Melendez, Lynda-Grace
8-May, Linda-Burst
9-Becerril, Sophia-General
10-Mackey, Pat-Emma
11-Van Bevers, Sandra-Buck
12-Wiggins, Carol-Ross (EXHIB)
13- – –
Novice 2
1-Cossart, Shawn-Trick
2-May, Linda-Burst
3-Trapp, George-Jenny
4-Van Bevers, Sandra-Buck
5-Hansen, Karen-May
6- – –
7-Becerril, Sophia-General
8-Mueller, Richard-Sienna
9-Melendez, Lynda-Grace
10-May, Linda-Jade
11-Mackey, Pat-Emma
12-Wiggins, Carol-Ross (EXHIB)
13- – –
It’s not rocket science, folks!
According to the USBCHA Board of Directors agenda, there are currently three issues being discussed by the Board:
- Whether or not to post any motion that has been moved and seconded by the Board (and is thus currently under discussion) to the USBCHA web site for at least one week prior to the Board’s vote for member input.
- Whether or not to uphold a current USBCHA policy that allows dogs running in the National Finals asked by the judge to retire because of overheating or physical unfitness to keep the points they had earned up to that point in the run
- Whether or not to make it mandatory to have water on the field of the National Finals at all times for the competing dogs who might need to cool off during a run.
There’s been a bit of talk about these issues in various corners of the Internet, but nothing’s been very hot and heavy. And, in my opinion, that’s not because USBCHA members are apathetic; it’s because these issues are pretty much no-brainers. Everyone I’ve listened to seems to agree on the following:
- It should have gone without saying that the Board should let the membership know about issues that are being voted on in time to let them give input to their Directors if they should choose to do so. Since it apparently didn’t go without saying, it’s hard to find anyone who could disapprove of the suggestion.
- It’s a NATIONAL FINALS! Dogs who can’t finish the course should not potentially advance to the next level of competition. If handlers are too focused on their run (or too stupid, or too uncaring, or all three), a judge might need to step in and make the "thank you" call. If he or she does that, it’s a retire–no points should be forthcoming.
- Water should be available at all times on the field, to help any dogs that might need to cool off during a run. Dogs who go to water will be penalized by the clock, but not by the act of going to the water itself. (I presume if the dog’s sheep leave the field while the dog is in the tub, that team is just out of luck, but that might be a question for the Board to clarify.) And the presence of the water should be MANDATORY on the Finals field to prevent any head-scratchers from occurring during the competition–we want as much consistency as possible for all teams at all times.
It all seems pretty self-evident to me. Anyone think otherwise?