amc Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 So, Amy and Lana drove from Oregon to Denver in 2 days. Our big adventure was trying to find ice cream in Winnemucca yesterday, 1/20. Lana's GPS, "Gerbil", told us there was a Baskin-Robbins on Winnemucca Blvd but darned if we could find it. We decided to get a soft-serve at McDonald's but upon arriving there, the guy told us they didn't have ice cream cones (never mind we could see the ice cream machine..NOT ON THE MENU, so not available!) Yikes. So we consult Gerbil again; she tells us that there's Shamrock Ice Cream in Winnemucca. We dutifully follow her convoluted directions into a residential subdivision (surely this CAN'T be right...) until we round a corner and there.........in the corner of a driveway, is........... a SHAMROCK ICE CREAM TRUCK which is FOR SALE. This is toooo scary. We decide to make one more attempt at the alleged Baskin-Robbins on Winnemucca Blvd; Amy thinks it might be inside this seedy casino that we bypassed twice, so we park and go in. Lana asks a slot machine attendant where is the B-R, and she replies "Oh, we don't have that any more BUT we do have an ice cream shoppe back there.....so we headed "back there" to find a Dreyer's shoppe. Yay! And it only cost us about 45 minutes! We cruised into Denver at around 6-ish this evening after surviving pea soup freezing fog across the Utah salt flats and are happily and comfortably ensconced in the Marriott TownePlace Suites. Our dogs are happy and we are happy, after feasting on delivered Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese food (us, not the dogs!) We'll head over to the Stock Show tomorrow to check out the dog sale and the trade show, then prep mentally for the elimination cow dog round. Amy's running Marti 4th, and Lana is 40th with Kell. 50 dogs are entered. Hopefully we'll both make it to the Saturday morning Finals! Geri and Elizabeth fly in on Friday evening to run in Open sheep on Sunday. We'll expect them to cheerlead for us in Intermediate Sheep on Saturday, and in the Cattle Finals should we make it there. More good news as it happens! Amy and Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workindogs Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yeah! You guys made it! I wish I was there now. I gotta' tell you that that "Gerbil" of Lana's lies just a little....be suspicious! Rye had a bath (the first in a long time) and got his health cert so he can FLY...turns out he isn't nearly as fat as I accused him of being. The farm sitter has been briefed....I hope she has the smarts to wing it. I'll be checking in on your cattle results...you go GIRLS! Wishing I was there now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoloRiver Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Sounds like a great time. Good luck all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 You are posting all this just to make us jealous, right? Best wishes to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 You go girls!!! Good luck to all and keep us posted. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Good Morning and thanks for all the good wishes! We're looking forward to a lovely "spring" day in Denver....temps in the 60s are predicted! There's a first-time working dog sale today which Lana and I are going to view after we pick up our credentials, then we'll spend a fair bit of time touring the stock show AND the trade show. Hopefully seeing the trialing venues will help us plan our respective strategies! More updates to come! Amy & Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Good luck! I might stop by on Sunday, you got me all hyped up And yes, enjoy this wonderful weather (yesterday we broke the record with 71F), because this weekend it will be COLD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lora Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oh, to be a State of Jefferson gal! You girls have all the fun! Good luck...keep those posts coming....I am living vicariously through you!!!! That Gerbil is very funny......bet you won't find a Victoria Secret after all! XO Lora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I am so envious, I think the last of the Iowa/Nebraska contingent was leaving today to head that way, maybe next year..... I would be interested in hearing what the people bidding on the dogs are looking for, work, trial, how much training, sheep, cattle, etc., I'm always curious as to where the dogs end up going after those sales. (Cut from Pete Carmichael's site): THE SALE CAN BE VIEWED LIVE ONLINE @ www.liveauctions.tv @ 1pm MST, maybe you guys can waive to us!!! Good luck to everyone. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLP Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I was looking foreward to watching the auction, cost 20 bucks to view it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I'll be there Saturday and Sunday to see the cattle finals and sheep trials, might drop by on Friday, too. Good luck, ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lana Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 The dog sale went well, i am not sure of the average price, but i think it was probably around 2,000-2,500. The dogs were in control and i thought the prices were good, and fair. The heifers were pretty broke, and i would like to have seen less dogged cattle. They were lively, i just wanted to see what the dogs had when things got tougher. Amy and i have been having the discussion about the pros and cons of dogs sales. I am not sure i personally feel comfortable selling a dog to somebody i do not know, but i think it may be a good way to educate the ranchers about the usefulness of a good dog, and get those dogs into the ranchers hands. As to what buyers seem to want, i would say they wanted the younger broke dogs that controlled the head. The seller could put a min price on the dog. There was no promotion on this sale, and the catalog needed a lot of work to give buyers more pedigree, and owner/trainer info. This was the first year of the sale and i expect that will be fixed for next year. Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lora Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hey Lana, Growing up, I had a friend whose family owned a big cattle operation. They went a bought a trained dog at the dog auction at Cow Palace (if I remember correctly). When people gave her a hard time about what she spent on that dog...she said she would have paid more! A good dog can replace many a hired hand, they never show up late, they never show up hung-over, they never complain and work hard to get the job done, oh, and you don't have to pay them minimum wage...they work for food and a bed! If it weren't for the fact that a dog can't open and shut gates...or drive a truck...she probably would have fired a few hired hands! I always wondered where ranchers go.....besides an auction....when they need a trained dog? Are you gals behaving yourself and having TOO much fun!!!!???? Good luck and hugs to you all! Lora http://rockingdawgs.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsADogsLyfe Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Does everyone name their GPS? Mine is Ziggy2. I had a Ziggy1 that I loved, but she got sick and stopped working. Ziggy2 has a different personality even though she is the same make and model and was replaced with the warranty on Ziggy the 1st,.... and she lies. Sounds like you guys are having a great time. Wish I was there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted January 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Well, the cattle elimination trial is over and Lana and I are back at the suite trying to warm up. As predicted, it was considerably colder today than the previous week...temps were only in the low 30s but with a bit of a wind chill we were glad to have our Carhartts handy! The heifers were about 500 pounders, all black, and very uniform. They tended to need a dog that would show strength early then lay back and not overwork them. Dogs that were too much in the face or on the bite were not rewarded. The trial course required the handler to remain behind a handler's line in the northwest corner of the arena; 3 heifers were set out with a very good mounted spotter off the southeast corner. They were brought out of a gate on the north side and there was considerable draw back that direction early on. There were fetch pylons for 5 points a head, 2 1/2 points per head across the handler's line, and another 2 1/2 points per head if the stock were turned counterclockwise around the handler. After the fetch/turn, the heifers were driven to a chute, 5 pts/head, then back to an obstacle on the east fence which was kind of an "L"....the stock needed to enter a straight alley and turn left to exit along the fence. It was tricky to set up but the heifers, once they looked in, would go in reasonably well. After scoring this obstacle, the handler could leave to assist the cattle back to a pen which was attached to a trailer; 5 points per head into the pen which was essentially a 'gimme', then 10 points/head into the trailer. The handler could not cross the mouth of the pen to assist with the trailer load, and the exhaust gate was just on the fence before the trailer mouth, so many runs came a cropper when the heifers would enter the pen area but not the trailer, hoping the exhaust gate would open instead! 105 points were possible and 7 minutes was allowed. I drew up #4 and the cattle were moving pretty freely which favored my dog's strengths and we were fortunate to score a 105 in 6:45. I had to fight for the fetch pylons pretty hard and I'm glad I did as the scores remained pretty high across the day. When we left the trial with 7 or 8 dogs to run I was at the bottom of the perfect runs, in 8th place I believe, so looking good for me and Marti tomorrow; the top 20 dogs run back in reverse order of qualifying. Jeff Mundorf and Luke were in first with a 105 in 3 minutes and change. Lana and Kell ran #40 and had a fabulous run up to the trailer. The afternoon cattle, re-run or at least re-mixed, were very heavy to the north fence, especially to the pen, and it was a challenge to manage the fetch pylons and get a correct (full points) turn without losing one or all into that pen area. Kell managed it with finesse and quiet power, and the chute and L were no problem. Kell motored them into the pen in a time looking to bump Mundorf, and Lana herself pushed up hard to encourage all three to dive into the trailer for a very fast perfect run. It was not to be, as one cagey girl balked hard, came back over Kell, was expertly hazed back by Lana, but on her second try she managed to escape past both dog and handler. Despite the several minutes Lana had banked, it went downhill from there, and they never did manage the pen, timing out with a 75 score which will not carry over to tomorrow. We didn't even tour the exhibits today as the cold wore us down somewhat, but we're home anticipating the arrival of Geri and Elizabeth this evening. Cattle finals start at 10 tomorrow, and then Intermediate Sheep at 3 pm in the (indoor---YAY!) Stadium Arena. Lana will run young Nell and I'll run Brandie and we'll see how that goes and report back. Thanks for everyone's good wishes! It really is a fun event and we appreciate all the mojo! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lana Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Debbie, i would add to your question about what buyers were looking for at the dog sale.... After my run today a rancher came and asked me about Kell's breeding, and future pups etc. After he told me what he liked about my dog the first and most important question he had was " can the dog work all day". I think it is easy to forget that people who make a living from livestock have a much different opinion of "must haves" for a dog. Geri has always said that for a range dog( dogs that work un dogged stock in wild, rough country, not pastures) the two most important qualities are stamina and heart. I try and listen and learn from all groups of people who use working dogs. Dogs that work sheep, dogs that work cattle, dogs the trial, and dogs that are ranch dogs. Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Lana, Thank you for taking the time to share that information. Do you know what dog ended up being the high selling dog yesterday. I didn't get to watch the auction, ended up working dogs, it ended up getting into the 40's here, had to take advantage of it while it was here, now it's below zero with 40 mph winds. Winters back... Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks for posting your story here. I felt like I was there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 A long Saturday at the Stock Show, starting with the Cattle Finals (top 20 from Friday) at 10 a.m. It was chilly but a lot warmer than Friday. The course was changed a bit...the Y chute opening was narrowed somewhat, and the "L" became a "U" with the addition of a perpendicular panel at the exit. Handlers had to remain behind the handler's line for the entire run AND were required to put all 3 head through each obstacle. It was an excellent test of the dogs and there were some terrific runs. We ran in reverse order of qualifying so Marti and I ran 7th; it was not as lucky as I'd hoped however. We had a great start, a quick fetch through the fetch gates but had one troublesome heifer run into the trailer instead of turn tidily around me....but we managed to get her out and accomplished the Y chute quite nicely. On to the "U" where it essentially ended because the aforementioned heifer kept pushing to return to the letout pen and after the 4th or 5th time that Marti turned her back to the other 2, Marti decided that she wasn't going to release her head so we timed out with 45 points and eventual 18th place. Elizabeth was kind enough to film the run and in reviewing it last night, I could see the pressure that Marti was dealing with from that heifer, so I could really understand her reluctance to let that heifer step out. It was great fun just to be in the finals, and a real privilege to watch the other handlers and their great dogs. Intermediate sheep started at 3 pm in the Stadium Arena with fresh finewool lambs from the Litton flock in Wyoming. Laura Hicks was the very competent judge. 3 head were put out at the east end of the arena and dogs were sent to fetch them to the post, turn counterclockwise and drive away through a gate then back to the pen. Time limit was 4 minutes and it sometimes seemed like 40! The lambs were very honest but very lamby and put lots of pressure on the young dogs so there were many disqualifications for grips, but the dogs that could stay back and not catch too much of the lambs' eye did well. 80 points were possible and I believe the winning run by Jim Swift and Molly was 66. I ran Brandie in spot #20, her first real USBCHA-style trial, and I was more than pleased with her biddability and ability to read the lambs. We scored a 57 with no pen which had us in second place for quite a while, but some good later runs bumped us to 6th. I was very proud of her and it was nice to get a ribbon too! Today the Open dogs get their shot at these wily lambs, running the Rapid City style timed course which should be quite a challenge, as it starts with a figure 8, then onto a chute, then to the pen. Fastest time wins and I expect it will be required to put all 3 head through each obstacle to proceed. The top X (not sure how many) will run back for all the marbles. All four State of Jefferson gals have dogs in this fight...me with Jean, Geri with Jean's half-brother Jim, Elizabeth with Rye and Lana with Blue and Kell. We'll deconstruct the day for you all this evening! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Well, it's a dog trial, as they say, and the SOJ gals did themselves proud! All four of us made it to the Finals...Lana and Kell, Amy and Jean, Geri and Jim and Elizabeth and Rye. The sheep were rerun from yesterday and demonstrated pull to the letout (top of the arena) early on and dogs had to work pretty hard to get them to come off. There were several DQs for grips in the qualifying round. The course was the standard Rapid City course as described above; time limit was 5 minutes. There were many great runs and again, the quieter, in-control dogs were rewarded. Lana and Kell finished in 15th, Amy and Jean in 8th, Geri and Jim in 5th and Elizabeth and Rye in 6th. The Final round of 20 was the same course and the sheep were much snarkier and the pressure to the top end was intense. Lana and Kell had a great run, with Kell much more willing to release the heads of the sheep, and moved up to finish in 6th overall. Amy and Jean had a great start to the run but the lambs realized that it could be safe to push back to letout and Jean finally was able to shift them downfield and make it to the mouth of the Y chute but timed out there, finishing in 11th. Geri and Jim had a near carbon copy of their first good run and were in first for a while but were subsequently bumped to 5th--in the money! Elizabeth and Rye showed their stuff with another excellent run, the sheep having no chance against strong and steady Rye, winding up in 3rd. Many folk wondered if us SOJ gals had a lot of arena trials during the winter, having showed so well here, but in actuality most of us have only trialed never (Elizabeth) or once or twice in arenas! We just managed to keep our panties out of a wad, I guess! We were out-handled by a couple of wily old ranchers who are tough to beat on their home turf---Pete Carmichael and Gerald Bunney. It was a great experience, we met a lot of great people, the crowd was very appreciative and excited, and well worth the effort to get here. We thank Roger Culbreath, the Sheep Superintendent, Laura Hicks for judging, and all involved in making this a very memorable trial! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoloRiver Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Sounds like so much fun. I am jealous. Jett says, "Go Dad!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRhodes Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Good job y'all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMSBORDERCOLLIES Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Well, it's a dog trial, as they say, and the SOJ gals did themselves proud! All four of us made it to the Finals...Lana and Kell, Amy and Jean, Geri and Jim and Elizabeth and Rye. The sheep were rerun from yesterday and demonstrated pull to the letout (top of the arena) early on and dogs had to work pretty hard to get them to come off. There were several DQs for grips in the qualifying round. The course was the standard Rapid City course as described above; time limit was 5 minutes. There were many great runs and again, the quieter, in-control dogs were rewarded. Lana and Kell finished in 15th, Amy and Jean in 8th, Geri and Jim in 5th and Elizabeth and Rye in 6th. The Final round of 20 was the same course and the sheep were much snarkier and the pressure to the top end was intense. Lana and Kell had a great run, with Kell much more willing to release the heads of the sheep, and moved up to finish in 6th overall. Amy and Jean had a great start to the run but the lambs realized that it could be safe to push back to letout and Jean finally was able to shift them downfield and make it to the mouth of the Y chute but timed out there, finishing in 11th. Geri and Jim had a near carbon copy of their first good run and were in first for a while but were subsequently bumped to 5th--in the money! Elizabeth and Rye showed their stuff with another excellent run, the sheep having no chance against strong and steady Rye, winding up in 3rd. Many folk wondered if us SOJ gals had a lot of arena trials during the winter, having showed so well here, but in actuality most of us have only trialed never (Elizabeth) or once or twice in arenas! We just managed to keep our panties out of a wad, I guess! We were out-handled by a couple of wily old ranchers who are tough to beat on their home turf---Pete Carmichael and Gerald Bunney. It was a great experience, we met a lot of great people, the crowd was very appreciative and excited, and well worth the effort to get here. We thank Roger Culbreath, the Sheep Superintendent, Laura Hicks for judging, and all involved in making this a very memorable trial! Amy Hi you SOJ gals and congratulations on your great showing. You are right in saying that Pete Carmichael and my good friend Gerald Bunney are hard to beat. They've been doing it for years and been doing it successfully too. You have just learned that if arena trials are run in the right way that the best handler and dog will still win. It's not about speed. It's about correctness and the good steady dogs and handlers will always do well, just as you folks did. Enjoyed reading all your posts and, once again, congratulations on your fine success.......Bob and Nancy Stephens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lana Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Thanks Bob and Nancy..will we see you at Zamora? I took Kell out today for some bigger work, he is not a great arena dog as he does not like to give up the pressure..that figure 8 just fries his mind, but it was good for him. Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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