The finals consisted of the top ten dogs with the highest combined scores from Friday and Saturday. Here is your lineup.
The weather was perfect, the morning was just beautiful. No wind, and just a slight breeze.
First up ... Don Couch and Ali.
Kinda funny how in stockdogging, we almost recognize handlers better from the rear view, eh?
I was a bit late but from what I understand, the first gather was good, the second one was a bit rough. There was a strong draw to setout and/or exhaust and Ali's second set pulled that way. For a while, they were behind the berm, out of Don's sight.
They were able to save it, and Ali brought the sheep around the bottom side of the berm and they were back in business. Nice drive away and crossdrive ...
... and good work in the shed ring. The shed called for the 3 with collars and any other two. The team made pretty quick work of the shed, and were all set up for the pen ...
... when one broke ewe off
and rejoined the rest of the original group, and they timed out. A very nice job, though!
Score - 89.
Next up ...
Francis Chai and Chime.
Francis and Chime had a very nice run, but the most interesting part of his run I found was the strategy he was going to use at the pen.
Working on the shed ...
Chime allowing a couple of ewes to pass ...
Once they got the shed, Francis moved the non-collars to the little berm behind the pen:
And they timed out just as they started the pen. I was curious to see if the sheep would have gone in easier with the draw being to the back of the pen.
Anyway, nice run Francis!
Score: 139
Next ... Rob Miller and Rex
The first gather was very nice. Rex had a beautiful lift and took the first set down the hill like nothing to it.
And then a disappointing tough break on the look back. The berm makes starting the second outrun basically a completely blind outrun, and Rob did a great job in trying to get Rex up the hill in the right direction, but it wasn't to be.
Next was Lavon Calzacorta and Tess.
Very nice run. Both gathers looked good ... drive and crossdrive were quite nice. The sheep were being a bit tough on the shed. They would do the initial split, and one marked sheep kept rejoining the original set. This happened a few times. However, their patience paid off, and they eventually ended up with a very nice, successful shed, but timed out at the pen.
Score: 141
Next ... Karen Stanley & Tripp
Karen and Tripp had a tough first gather, but stuck with it and got them down the hill. The second gather was even tougher, and Karen went and helped Tripp. Good job, Karen! (K, somehow I missed taking photos of this run, but I got plenty from your run on Saturday, including "the" shot ... so I will post those later.)
Next up ... Patrick Shannahan & Riggs.
I keep talking about "the berm" ... I think I found a shot that might illustrate what I mean. When the sheep and/or dogs drop down behind the berm, they are out of sight of the handler, adding a whole new element to an an already difficult course.
1st outrun was a bit wide but awesome to watch. The fetch was flawless. The second outrun was very nice, although the lift proved to be a bit tougher on that side due to the draw and other various factors (don't you just love my psychobabble? ... how am I doin'?).
Setting up the drive:
Lining them out for the shed:
Patrick had a very nice shed going on until one rejoined the original group and he timed out. Still ... a privilege to watch.
Score: 107
To the post then was Francis Chai and Belle. He had a nice run going and got the shed ...
They were working on the pen when sneaky ewe and one of her girlfriends decided they were going to try to join the collared set ...
However, they got busted.
I must have gotten distracted because I can't say what happened at the end of this run. I would guess that he ran out of time (?) but I have it written down as an RT??? Does anyone remember?
Up next is Libby Nieder and Lynn
Had a nice first gather
Got the lookback, and the second set made a really hard pull off to exhaust and Libby couldn't see what was going on to be able to help Lynn. Good try, though Libby. I have some more photos of your run(s) from Saturday I will be posting soon.
Two runs left.
Bill Orr with Boone went to the post.
They had a very nice run. I really liked this dog. They had an excellent method on the shed. Here's Boone picking up the sheep from the setout people on the second lift:
Bill & Boone needed just one more non-collared sheep to leave the group ... and got it.
They timed out at the pen. Nice job, Bill!
Score: 139
Last up: Dianne Deal & Pat
From the "rear view":
Overcoming a bit of trouble on the first gather, the second gather was very nice. The draw was as strong as ever and Pat handled it well. Beautiful crossdrive! The shed made me catch my breath a couple of times, as they got down to six twice, then down to four once, and then timed out. Definitely an enjoyable run to watch, and Pat showed the incredible heart that makes us love these dogs. Great job, Dianne!
Here's a few photos from Dianne's run:
Score: 61
First place goes to Lavon Calzacorta & Tess! Congratulations Lavon!
Winners (L to R):
1st Place - Lavon Calzacorta & Tess
2nd Place - Bill Orr & Boone
3rd Place - Francis Chai & Chime
Here are the winners with the judge, Karen Child:
(L to R: Francis, Karen, Lavon, Bill)
I have a couple hundred photos from Saturday to go through, and as soon as I can, I will post those highlights as well.
Enjoy!
Jodi Darling
