Friday, after dark Les and I along with Drover and Timber finally left for the AHBA Herding Trial in Burlington, NC.
I packed everything but my sun glasses!
Crates, Dog beds and bowls, leashes, dog food, pillows, meds, food, gator aid, cold and warm weather clothes, coffee, hot chocolate, phones, camera, chairs, tent, well you get the ideal…I even had the kitchen sink!
We arrived around 11 PM. Tired! Got set up comfortable, and settled in for a good nights sleep!
Morning came early. The excitement of the day was in the air! Nerves ran high as did our hopes for a good placement! Drover was fit and ready, I was nervous! But confident.
At 8 AM the trial started with the level III HTAD runs. There were some good runs and it was clear this was a tough course.
Then our turn in Level II came.
I could hear and see in my mind our last time at this trial as we walked through the gate. I knew we had prepared this time and were as ready as we could be with what we knew. But still I was not sure. I was off…Drover could feel it too!
I sent him on his out run and lifted the sheep and as he brought the sheep to me I started towards the handler’s post to go clockwise round it. Okay! Then on to the first obstacle two panels set apart I was to walk half way to them and then have Drover drive the sheep through them. Done it! (now I am sweating it!) Because I could walk half way to the next obstacle an L chute but had to drive to it as well! Okay not pretty but we did it! On round to the free standing pen and to pen the 5 sheep! NOT happening! round and round the pen the sheep and dog went and no way was I thinking what to do! (I was thinking bout the last time i was here and what a disaster the penning was) So I passed this obstacle but we tried! Then on to the Hold! Bye now I am really hearing all the contusion in my mind! So instead of standing still and putting my dog in a down stay we moved and moved and moved and no hold!!!! Okay we can pen the sheep! I am so nervous by now and thinking what a disaster! Drover holds the sheep off the gate and I lift the latch and swing the gate IN! What! Sheep enter and they are re penned!
We scored a 62! It takes 63 to pass! Does not matter we had a very bad run…Thanks to my nerves!
Sunday…I went out with determination and a dog that was listening! We were more confident had more control and still were unable to drive the sheep. But we did try!
I knew our driving was not our strength going in…now I have some exercises to work on to strengthen that weakness. I learned so much in this trial. I need to make sure Drover is on and listening to me and how to get that in a new location. I also learned for now everything for ME needs to be as much like at home as possible. Little things like gloves and my comfort are top priority for my ability to stay focused!
Even though Drover and I as a team did not pass this weekend I found myself reflecting…Fourteen Months ago we started our trialing at this same farm. Many remember what an awful failure that was for us. But my what a beginning it became! What a desire to work hard and try to do good it put in me.
What a Journey it has started us on
But even more than that! So much more important…At this trial there were FIVE ENGLISH SHEPHERDS!!!! FIVE!!!! One that did obtain her Level I title in HTAD ! And one in JR Herding!!! They too are on this same “Journey”!
I have to admit that I am more proud and happy with that! than if Drover and I had been high point in trial!
Congratulations to Diane Swift and JoDee (HTAD Level I) and Caroline Betts and Yucon (Jr Herding) !
Also this weekend Ernie and Artie (Australian Shepherd) Earned their first leg in Jr Herding dog! Good job Ernie and Artie! We are all proud of the hard work and your honest efforts! Keep it up!
