When I first sat down to write this…
it is late evening, the sheep are quietly munching grass, the temperature is in the mid 60’s . We have been very busy preparing for the AHBA Herding Trial …
Back in early December…
We needed sheep and in large numbers. Our 33 just were not enough! The Ranch Large Flock requires at least 25 head per run. My good friend Lawanna Manning was looking for sheep for me…We ended up with a miracle borrowed flock that came with its own feed! Then my good friend Gerry purchased a flock of Black Belly Barbados! So we had our numbers! BUT…
They had to be dog broke ! KAT and I set out to accomplish that task. We got er done! And in process KAT started to work even better!
Our Judge from New York (Dawn Welch) flew in early to assist with all the odds and ends that a trial requires…In the mean time we had 5 lambs born. One of the ewes was very protective of her lamb and meant to harm any dog within her reach…This ewes dislike for dogs had been there before her lamb arrived and the lamb made her crazy towards the dogs… I had been careful to keep an eye on her.
Our Duck Contractors John and Sue Amsden arrived Thursday morning with the ducks and were busy setting up for the trial. They made a second trip home to pick up the trial set up ( I had neglected to let them know I needed) and as they arrived back and were setting up the course. It happened!
We were moving the 4 ewes and 5 lambs, no one saw it…I should have been paying attention but clearly I was not…That ewe went after a dog and I was between the dog and the ewe. I know KAT did something to help protect me…I went airborne from the hit the ewe gave me…my knee dislocated and and I crumpled to the ground screaming…KAT was quickly by my side and the ewe had run back and away from me. Boy that timing was really bad…and my knee hurt. I put my knee cap back in place and my friends and Les got me to the house.
We still had so much to do and I was out of the game for sure…But with God’s help, Les and all my good friends …everything was accomplished!
Marianne Dwight another good friend was down from Massachusetts and she made a list! Then all my friends went to work and got everything finished! At dark thirty! They were tired and we rolled out Friday morning and had a very successful Ranch Large Flock trial. KAT and I stock handled both days! The knee swelled up and it would have no matter…
I want to thank the Good Lord Above for my good friends. And for not letting it be a worse accident than it was! I will be better and soon!
I want to thank Les for being such a good, loving, kind, helpful husband.
And all my friends!
My special friend Laree Shulman for you know …teaching me to say yes…Boy did I ever have to rely on others! What a good thing you taught me so long ago!
Lawanna Manning who took photos on Friday and furnished Lunch for all of us both days! You received a taste of what kind of trouble I can get us all in!
Marianne Dwight for everything…Stock work, course set up, helping me early on in planning the courses. For being the Trial Secretary…and for coming all the way to North Carolina all those many years ago and becoming my friend.
Dawn Welch…The above and beyond AHBA Judge! For all your work on the course set up and your brain! Wow! You can make things out of nothing! you know sheep, have trial set up savy, and are a kind lady!
Erin Ledbetter our other trial Judge! you worked hard!You did a fine job judging.
John and Sue Amsden! You two rock with the sweetest duck contractor operation ever! Your Call Ducks are so much fun to work . Your ducks are honest workers… I cannot thank you all enough! I am so happy you two claimed North Carolina as your home! You two fell right in and helped me thru all this trial!
Tosha Hunt for all the wonderful Photos on Saturday. You are good friend! And an amazing photographer!
Ashlyn Hunt for the photos in the sheep pens and duck course Saturday. You are one talented young lady! and all the help to me you provided. You still rock at Duck Wrangling!
Gerry Chase for everything… sheep…the beautiful Tile Trophy s…and for all your help…and for the wonderful food you provided for everyone too…
It takes a Village as Sue pointed out…what a wonderful Village it is!
Thank you each and everyone that helped in any way…You all will never know how much I appreciate each one of you!
Thank you!
Kay
