News from AHBA Trial - July 23-25

Well, it was back to Sharon's place for another great AHBA trial. We always have so much fun there! It was 3 days of trials including a large flock (30 sheep) on Friday which was limited to 12 entries. Since Sunday was only 14 entries (it just didn't fill) we had mostly an intimate weekend with the other competitors.

Friday I ran Grace and Chance and both did well although we haven't had as much driving work as they really needed. But, we ended up with 1st and 2nd place so I can't complain!!

Saturday was Grace's day off so I ran Luke in HRDI and Chance in HRDII and HTDI. Luke did very nicely and I was so impressed with him. Unfortunately, Cappy was running his Kelpie too and we just could not beat that dog so Luke ended up with 2nd. Chance was running HRDII and did very well ending up with 2nd place to finish that title. He also needed 1 leg for HTDI so I ran him again that afternoon. We did very well and got all the sheep penned - for a moment!! It was about to be a perfect run! But the sheep spooked before I got the gate shut and the ringing of the pen began. I never got them repenned but it was still good enough for 1st place and his title was finished.

Sunday I ran Grace and Chance. Grace was not feeling well but did nicely to finish her title with a 1st place. Since Chance had finished his title on Saturday I moved him up to HRDIII which was a bit more of a challenge. His driving was not that great but he did get in there and pick up the sheep when he lost them and almost made the first obstacle. The rest was done very well. At the end I was about to put the sheep away and I heard a noise from someone outside the field. I looked up to see Dana Hasemeier but I assumed she had been talking with someone else. I opened the gate and heard again "Ribbon Pull!!". At that point I suddenly realized that she was clueing me in to the fact that I had moved up to HRDIII which required me to pull the ribbon off the sheep I had collared earlier in the run. I quickly closed the gate, and then pulled the ribbon off the sheep. Thanks Dana!! She was the only other dog in my class so she probably should have kept quiet but it didn't matter since her Corgi Ingrid beat us easily!

Because Sunday we only had 14 entries, we got to leave early and arrive home before dark (YAY!)

I highly recommend Sharon's trials for a lot of fun!