Valhalla

... and which finger might that be????

I only wish Denise or Mark had been there with a camera to capture the action! The reason he drifted off was that I was not paying 100% attention to his whereabouts - the three of us were talking about what else.... pictures. And no Denise, it is not your fault. I should have put the dogs up. In my older years, it's gotten too difficult to do two things at the same time anymore. Wish I was young again like Sam... a mere baby at 35!

Mark, well since he wasn't an "official" entry, I guess I am safe. Robin, I would have been glad to pay Flo an extra entry fee. I thought she was going to have my head (or Tweed's head) :eek: , but she just laughed and said "That's OK, it happens." When I was getting ready to run Mick, Melinda even thanked me for providing some excitement. And of course, after it was all done and I felt comfortable enough to return to the crowd, I wanted to know how far out he ran, was it a good outrun and did he look good? Typical BC puppy owner.

FYI: Lena will be posting the running orders on the Sheepdog List ASAP. And for those of you running on Sunday, the class order will be as follows: Novice 1, ProNovice 1, Ranch 1, Novice 2, ProNovice 2, Ranch 2.

Robin, I can't wait to see the "Spink" pups (I must admit Zac is my fave). Kate is coming over this weekend and I hope we'll have time, in between trial days at Lena's, so she can show me Rose. I am glad you (and everyone else watching Jim's run at Edgeworth on Sunday) finally got to see my pup work. Unfortunately, it should have been during puppy play day AFTER the trial. I was so embarrassed. But, at least I can now say that 7 month old Tweed has run (and run and run and run) on the Edgeworth trial field. I will also try to post some pics from Edgeworth today or tomorrow.

Edgeworth was once again a true challenge. I'd say on the first go over half the dogs crossed over. This year they moved the handler's post farther over to the left corner of the field, but the sheep were set out up top at the same place in the middle. I wonder if this made some dogs think that the sheep would be set out on the top right corner (diagonal to where we where standing)? The 600 yard fetch was also tough as so many dogs would not take their flanks on the come by side to push the sheep back on line (mine included). They were simply content with following along the shoulders the whole way down. To start the drive we had to turn the sheep around cones that were set between the handler's post and the fetch panels. Then, during the first trial we ran 7 sheep and had to take off 4, put them through the exhaust gate and then go back and pen the three. It was a lot of fun and something new to try. I bet a lot of us wish we had eyes in the backs of our heads to keep watch over the three that were left and make sure they didn't join their buddies. Those of you who have never been to the Wilson's trial should try to put it on your calendar for next year. It is well worth it.

Maybe some type of international shed? Run 8-10 sheep and shed off 3 collarded?

I e-mailed Florence yesterday to tell her I would be glad to post the running order on S-L for her. She replied back that she would not have it ready in time to make a difference. I did hear it will be a 14 minute course and that there will be some interesting challenges because of no double lift. It is quite the challenge already to get the dogs to the top of that 600 yard hill, see where they show up half way down the fetch after you lose sight of them and then finish with a shed, pen, single. I pitty the poor soul who has to go first. I did two years ago - my very first time running at Edgeworth. Boy, talk about a bad case of nerves! But the Mirk man completed the course and that put a smile on my face. What a great trial this one is.