Bluegrass, The Finale!

Alasdair & Sweep

Hopefully, everyone saw my updates from Sat & Sun on Facebook. As predicted the best runs came in the first half of the day before the heat and humidity peaked and Scot Glen's Don is the DL champion.
The Bluegrass is such a special trial to us personally and we are so grateful to be able to participate. I know I have have thanked the organizers, volunteers, quiet supporters and set out crew several times but again, you are so much appreciated.
Foremost, I want to to correct my order in yesterdays recap, Vergil with Scott were 4th with a very solid finish and Ron Enzeroth with Mick were 5th.
 
The highlights for us began in the morning with Alasdair's Li. Although they had some trouble on the turn back Li made a tremendous save in the ring and earned Reserve Champion. Black Gold Premium Dog Food, our personal sponsors, came through once again supporting the Border collie community and donating the DL prizes. Thank you for your very generous continued support as well as many thanks to all the other contributors.
 
I only gave Sweep to Alasdair in December and they are already a great team. They performed especially well in the final and as Alasdair said, it went even better than in practice, always an encouraging sign. A flawless turnback and excellent lines earned them 3rd.
 
Cap also had a perfect turnback but me working hard to hold the fetch lines in the height of the heat cost us valuable time. Running in the 15th slot I was concerned the shed would be extremely difficult. As it turned out we had a good flowing shed down to 4 plain ones that was only stymied by the time constraint. We had just 10 minutes in the ring for time spent on the drive & ended up 7th. Of course, it is always easier looking back and the mistakes were mine. I was very pleased with Cap's performance as well as his 'striking' run Open I and the thankfully less eventful win Open II.
 
Ron Enzeroth and his young dog Mick were standouts throughout the trial, having just won Cattle Nursery Championship 2 weeks prior. I wrote about Mindy Bower Day 1 as she and her dog Possum made both Opens look easy. They finished just behind Roy Taber and York in the DL.
 
Ron Enzeroth also stood out on the Nursery field winning the overall with Pete who ran solid everyday including beating Nell & I on outwork in Nursery II. Another stand out was Jimmy Walker with Brock who was on equal points with Alasdair & Skye Nurs IV and finished 2nd on OLF. I believe Jimmy was also Reserve Champion in OR with his other young dog.

This was Nell's and Renee Newcomb's Skye first time away from home (litter sister's Cap X Star). They each won a Nursery class and qualified for the National.
Nell also won Reserve Nursery Champion.
We were sorry to miss yesterday's final runs but had a brilliant night with my grandmother at Mallone's, prime rib, sushi, incredible wine and most important family. thank you to all my generous friends in KY especially Laura Hanley with her help at the airport!
Although there were several changes behind the scenes at this year's Bluegrass what did not change is this one of our all time favorite trials--thank you to all!