BevLive: Tabletop SDT, Day 1

Got an early start today as we had a big field, unbroken range ewes(yearlings I think) and a lot of dogs to run. It’s getting dark and the trial just finished. Eleven minute course was short time as only about 3-4 people managed to pen but all we had daylight for.

The sheep were tough. Not fighting or doing a huge amount of splitting and running. They were just very dog ignorant and didn’t want to go. So they mostly milled around and then went a little way (usually the wrong way) and then spun around some more.

About half the dogs got no score. Of the remaining dogs with scores many never finished the drive. There were very few finished runs. The last I looked Larry Adams and his great old bitch, Raid, looked to have it in the bag with a 71. I know that all the 60s are in the money and I’m sure the 50s are too. Anyone with a score in the mid-30s such as mine was in the top 25%. Tough sledding and a lot of fun to try.

The weather was very unsettled all day with periods of heavy clouds and thunder and lightening followed by bright sun. I don’t think the weather made the sheep any happier. Each dog got five fresh sheep spotted on horseback. Most of the dogs handled the 450 yard outrun without trouble. It was the sheep gave the trial it’s flavor.

Tomorrow the whole course gets changed. The post and outrun are moved as well as the drives. That will make the outrun an issue as well as the sheep. Hope I do better.