Todd's Mom Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 I live in southern Iowa and want to get my boys introduced to herding. Do any of you know of anyone within a few mile radius? Any information is appreciated! Thanks in advance. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Good Shepherd Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 Hi there:) I feel your pain, I was looking for training in NM a couple of years ago. Debbie, a member here is in Iowa I believe. Debbie, where are you? Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 We are a bit limited with Open handlers that work sheep and have trialed in the open field here in Iowa, most focus on cattle. You could start with any of the handlers I'm listing and they will lead you to understanding what it takes to acheive a good foundation, some have had more success then others, but I'm listing all of the open handlers that I can think of that have sheep expirence since distance is a factor for you. Forgive me if I miss someone, the list is short: Bob Johnson, Tingley Jenn Berger, Iowa City Linda Meyer, Jewel, IA Deb Meier/Wayne Bamber, Alden Curtis Dukes, Kent Jeff Mundorf, Red Oak If I was down in Southern Iowa and had to pick a place to go it would be Bob Johnson's in Tingley. He gives lessons and has open practice each Tuesday. If you have aspirations to compete here in Iowa he will get you there if your dogs have the aptitude, he will also be able to set you up with a good foundation to go further, basically doing no harm if you wanted to take on big field sheepdog trials. Bob's focus is on cattle work, owning the current cattledog nursery champion, but he has trialed at USBCHA Open Sheepdog trials successfully, he has won the Iowa State Fair both on sheep and on cattle, and had the Highpoint Iowa dogs in both Open and Pro-Novice for the last few years. If you have time, you can see and visit many of the handlers I have listed at the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival Sheepdog Trial on June 11th, at the Dallas County Fairgrounds, Adel, Iowa. Sometimes the best way to pick someone to work with is to sit back and watch dogs, see whose dogs work and are handled in a manner that pleases you the most. Hope this helps get you started. Deb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Good Shepherd Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 Hi Debbie I knew you had the answers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 @Todd's Mom, what are your goals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd's Mom Posted May 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 I haven't really set any goals. I live in town so could never actually have any livestock. I have a 5 month old boy out of cattle herding lines who I would love to see doing what is natural to him. Not sure how well the others would do, two of them wouldn't be safe do to decreased vision and hearing and another has severe dysplasia, but my five year old may be interested as well. I am going to see if I can get the time off of work and go to that trial. In all honesty, I'm not sure what to look for but I am always amazed watching herding teams. If my two boys were interested and even good at it I certainly wouldn't write off competing though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 Which town do you live in? If you can come on over to the National Cattledog Finals, it will be May 26th-29th in Redding. About 1/2 hour or so west of I-35 just north of the Missouri State line. Sunday will be the Finals for both Nursery and Open, crews will be on hand taping that day for the future RFD-TV broadcast and I'm hearing that Bill Northey (IA Sec. of Agriculture) may be dropping in one day... More info and updates can be found at www.nationalcattledogfinals.net or on Facebook at 2011 National Cattledog Finals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd's Mom Posted May 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 I am in Washington which is about halfway between Iowa City and Mt. Pleasant. Don't mind driving though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 We used to go to the Ranch Horse Shows down there, last time Wayne took a header off of his cutting mare that went to cracking landing on the hard bare field dirt arena, came home with broken collar bone, ribs and wrist..had to drive the big rig home by myself for the first time (Mack with 45' semi horse trailer), all the lights went out round about Iowa City at 10:30pm, no flashers and then ran into a rain storm the next morning by Waterloo when I found out I didn't have windshield wipers either... oh yeah, to ice it no CDL either...memories attached to Washington and the hospital... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Just and FYI Linda Meyer lives in Stanhope Iowa. I'm not an Iowain so not sure if that's important but thought I'd throw that out there. She has helped me down this long road quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Pretty close together, thinking she's about 6-7 miles west of Jewel, but yes, her address is Stanhope, was thinking of another handler the lives near her with a Jewel address. She's up here by us on the flats where the wind almost seems to never stop blowing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd's Mom Posted May 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 We used to go to the Ranch Horse Shows down there, last time Wayne took a header off of his cutting mare that went to cracking landing on the hard bare field dirt arena, came home with broken collar bone, ribs and wrist..had to drive the big rig home by myself for the first time (Mack with 45' semi horse trailer), all the lights went out round about Iowa City at 10:30pm, no flashers and then ran into a rain storm the next morning by Waterloo when I found out I didn't have windshield wipers either... oh yeah, to ice it no CDL either...memories attached to Washington and the hospital... That sounds like a horrible trip! Next time you drive through, we can offer you a more comfortable bed. And hey, I'm a nurse so I can get you hooked up Actually hopefully your next drive through will be much LESS eventful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 She's up here by us on the flats where the wind almost seems to never stop blowing.. That's what I hear. Only I've lived on top the mountains in CO...talk about wind! My son died his hair that bight red of youth. We moved there and the first day he had a hoodie on with the hood up. We hiked, his red hair blew back away from his face and I swore it looked like his head was on fire with flames shooting out around the hood! Wind...GAH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Wolf Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Washington, huh? I got lost in Iowa once and found it Nyle Sealine in in North central MO, but I am not sure who is closer to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Meier Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Boy, you really got lost to end up in Washington!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Wolf Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 All I'll say is IL does not waste money on detour signs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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