Tazimodo: Meeker Classic 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Meeker Classic 2009

I went to the Meeker Classic sheepdog trial last week, and it was just amazing seeing such talented dogs and skilled handling. The sheep were, as always, difficult and challenging and just plain uncooperative. Amanda Milliken and her 10-year-old Ethel made it look easy, though. Their winning run was incredible. Here are a few photos of the trial...

Faansie Basson's Jill

Jill brings the second set of sheep through the panels to join the first set

Derek Fisher's Jen

Bev Lambert's Hemp

Bev penning with Hemp

Reserve Champs Tommy Wilson and Sly at the pen

Red Oliver and Blaze

Libby Nieder's Lyn working at the international shed

Handlers watching the action

2009 Meeker Champs Amanda Milliken and Ethel show us how it's done

For more photos of the 2009 Meeker Classic, take a look here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Accessories comment (not the sheep scrunchies): is Amanda Milliken's hat really that wide? Sort of a Little Bo Peep look?

Susan; 9:55 AM
Unknown said...: My hat is really that big. I have had a few pre-cancerous spots off my face from sun damage and I try to wear as broad a brimmed hat as the wind will allow. I do not like sun block near my eyes, so the hat is the best option. Old fashioned, but it works. I have never considered myself to look much like Little Bo Peep, but may be you are onto something there.
Amanda; 11:35 AM

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About Me & the Dogs...

I live in Erie, Colorado, and—despite the clear lack of sheep in my suburban backyard—I spend much of my free time working my border collies on stock. Sophie is the dog I started this journey with—she is a border collie x aussie (x maybe chihuahua, at least according to the canine genetics folks) who, as a misbehaving adolescent brought me to my first glimpse of the stockdog world. I didn't learn very much with her, but our experience piqued my curiosity about working stockdogs. I then got Taz to learn how to work with dogs and stock for real. I started Taz myself and have learned a lot about what not to do along the way! Taz spent a few months in Canada last winter with Scott Glen, who fixed some of the mistakes I made training him—I am really enjoying working Taz again and seeing what we can do together. Craig is my oldest border collie, given to me a few years ago to help me improve my handling skills and now retired. Meg is my newest prospect; she's just a pup now, but she's a firecracker and I can't wait to start her. Right now, I trial Taz in pro-novice/open ranch. I am hoping that keeping an online journal of my trials and tribulations will help me work through my training challenges and keep me on track. I am very fortunate to have a few skilled and accomplished folks helping me, and I have no doubt that this blog will be a source of great amusement for them. It's also a fun way to share the pain with others also suffering the anguish and humiliation of trying to figure out how to guide another species to effectively interact with a third species to a standard of skill developed by people living in another country hundreds of years ago . . .