The Crones' Chronicle

In early June, we took a trip up to Bowman, North Dakota for the Slash J and The Big One Sheepdog Trials. Awesome trials. Long outruns, drives, etc. and three range ewes. Incredibly challenging. Beautiful country. Nice weather. Had a very wonderful time. Here’s some film footage of one of Liddy’s runs. She ran her heart out and then some. What a good girl she is! Brought me sheep three out of the four trials and got around the course and to the shedding ring and/or pen three out of the four trials. At Slash J she placed 5th in a 3-way tie (ultimately 8th based on outwork). So, not too shabby for the girl’s fourth trial in Open!

Lisbeth also started a “tapas night” tradition while at The Big One. Looking forward to the next one!

Special thanks to all the organizers of the trials and all of the crews! Job well done!

May 28-June1, 2009

We ran in the Georgene LeBar Memorial Sheepdog Trial in Douglas, Wyoming this past week.  Our hostess, for many years, Georgene LeBar, died this year.  Her nephew, Dillon said one of her last wishes was to make sure her annual trial got put on one more time. Those of us in the sheep dog trialing community will miss Georgene and her trial. It was perhaps one of the most challenging trials around.  The terrain is a mixture of hills, ravines–that often have water in them– marshes, and lots of prickly pear cactus.  On the first day, a bridge substituted for the traditional fetch panels.  A prize was offered each year for the handler/dog team that made it across the bridge. Making it across the bridge with all five sheep was never an easy feat, even when judges tried to increase the odds by creating a funnel onto the bridge.  The sheep were always healthy, tough, and unpredictable. After two grueling days of competition, the top ten handler teams moved on to the  double lift final. The winner of the three day event received a much coveted LeBar Champion jacket. Georgene and her family and friends ran a top notch trial where everyone enjoyed true western hospitality. I doubt there is anyone who would disagree that this trial was as real  a test of an American handler’s stock sense and dog handling capabilities as there will ever be. Many believe we are witnessing the  passing of a “golden era” of trialing. I’m inclined to agree. Here is a bit of footage from that trial.

This year’s judge was Don Helsley.  And, this year’s winner was Beverly Lambert with Mirk.

I’ve retired Fly and Finn this year from open.  So, I ran my little black dog, Liddy (a Jennifer Ewer’s Sweep puppy) in the open-ranch class.  I was pleased she found her sheep and brought them down the field.  She also learned some good lessons in running in cactus and looking for sheep  when the terrain changes radically. We need to work on flanks and pacing. I’ve not been a very good trainer in that regard.

Lisbeth got to go golfing one day, but then came down with the flu. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a very memorable time.