12 Still Standing

Star on Ila and Pat's practice field

30 dogs competed in the semi-finals, and Lyle Lad with Shep laid down a smoking run with a 90 point high score of the day on sheep which were much improved over the last few days. Today was the first day they were re-run, and for the most part, they were much more content. Lyle's run was a pleasure to watch, and with something like 7 minutes to pen and single, she wasted no time getting around, but the outwork was nice, great lines, and a shed, pen, single that was flawless. I don't know where the 20 points came off, but it was not at the finish.

My former Moe in the semi-finals

In the semi's, there are 2 collared sheep among 5 total. You must shed 2 uncollared sheep, pen all 5, then single a collar. Suzi Applegate and Buzz had another nice run with Suzi showing her experience, and Buzz showing his youth. Emil and Spot were steady, and completed the first run that got a decent score. Berhow and Pete went through to the finals, but 11 year old Pete really showed his age in the shedding ring. He lost a step to the Meeker sheep, and it didn't come easily, or quickly, but it was a pleasure to watch that good, old dog run. Karen Child and Rock made it through as well with a clean run and a nice finish. Amanda made it with Clive, but struggled with Roz and did not. Beverly was successful with Mirk, even though he had to be cajoled around the course. Tommy and Sly are through with another clean run as is Faansi Basson.  My money is on Lyle. She's running hot right now, and Shep looks to be in the zone. Bridget and I went to the bluegrass concert at the park in town after which they held the calcutta auction. Beverly and Lyle were the high selling teams bringing around $230. If I'd had the money, I would have bought Lyle.

Jed charming the ladies

I have spent a bit of time over the last 2 days at the practice field. A sheep farming couple have a place just a few miles from the trial field, and graciously bring in 100 or so of their good yearlings for us to have a go. It was really good for Star to have fresh sheep, and he ran better on them than he has ever run in his life. He loved them, was very forward, confident, precise, and his shedding was impeccable. It almost made me wish I had entered him here, even though these sheep may be a bit much for him. We'll find out tomorrow though, because I've been tasked with exhausting a few runs of the double lift. That means taking off 20 head after each run, and I plan on giving Star the call. It's a good thing we practiced.

Where the hands sit and watch

At the fairgrounds tonight after the calcutta auction, they had a jackpot, arena trial, and I entered Mirk in the open, then ran him again in the team event. In the open, you have 3 minutes to cut 3 head from 20, put them through 2 sets of panels, then pen 'em. We did it in 2:28 and were second for a second. Faansie Basson ended up winning it, with Tommy Wilson second, Derek Fisher third, and me 4th, I think. Doesn't matter because they only pay 1st place. Faansie grabbed the money again. He and Tommy teamed up in the team class, made it look fairly easy and won that too. I ran with Amanda, and we tried hard, but didn't get it done. Each team member had to cut 3 from the 20 for a total of 6 head cut out, put them together, then work together to put them through 2 sets of panels and pen 'em. I went in first and got 3 out fast. We were looking good. Amanda went in right behind me, and got hers out quickly too. Mirk decided he liked the whole flock better all together, and we had to start again. After another false start, we finally made one panel with 6 head, and timed out. We didn't win, but we by far the prettiest team going, and we'll get 'em next year!