Alasdair Reflects on the 2013 Cattle Final,,,

Thad's Molly (photo taken by Cindy Lowry)

I did not attend the Cattle dog Final this year but Alasdair judged. Thad Flemming and his entire family worked tirelessly to deliver a first class event. Congratulations to all the winners especially Champions Dwight Parker with Craig and Nursery Champions Ron Enzeroth with Mick. Below Alasdair reflects on the four day competition in his (mostly:-)) own words,,,

I’d like to commend The Fleming family for hosting a very professional and well run USBCHA National Cattle dog Final. The weather was unusually harsh for the first week in May with several inches of snow and freezing wind. Event organizers, volunteers, competitors and spectators were put through a ‘cowboy up’ test and all passed with flying colors.

 

The efficiency with which the cattle were set was impressive and after a few initial problems with exhausting, that too became seamless. The stick-to-itiveness of all the riders, on Thursday and Friday especially, was nothing short of heroic.

 

The cattle were ideal for the most prestigious award in the cattle dog trial calendar. They were testing but workable and as even a bunch as one could wish for; a credit to the Salmon family who donated them free of charge.

A very benevolent gift, it can only be appreciated fully by those who have put on trials where they had to lease the livestock. It is an expense which can sometimes make the books unsustainable and result in no payback or even cancellation. Although just judging, I would like to express my thanks to Bob and his family for their above and beyond generosity.

 

The Lions club came through for the event in exceptional form. They not only made their parking facility available but also provided a tractor, flat bed, straw bales and ferried everyone to and from the field.
Black Gold Premium Dog Food once again showed tremendous support for the Border collie community with a significant cash donation as a Judge's Sponsor . These are just a few of the many contributions that were significant in the four day trial running like a well-oiled machine.

 

The conditions returned to seasonal, beautiful Missouri spring weather for Sunday with some impressive dogs and exciting competition. The cattle were worked with respect and authority in the main and we crowned well-deserved champions.

Congratulations to 2013 Open winners Dwight Parker and Craig and Reserve, Bill Reed with Ann; also Ron Enzeroth and Mick, Nursery Champions and Missouri natives Larry Painter with Troy taking the reserve Buckle.

Finally, congratulations to Kelly and Thad. You said that you could put on a first class Cattle dog final that would be a credit to Leeton, Missouri and the USBCHA and that is exactly what you did.



The Amendment

Our singleton had everything we look for in a puppy and more….for 8 weeks he had distinct blue eyes.

We decided to embrace the variation on tradition and name him after a personal favorite, Frank Sinatra, ol' blue eyes himself.

We waited for weeks to be certain and several assured us that at 8 weeks eye color is set including Lisa Wright (how is that for irony, right??) 

At 8 ½ weeks the blue started to change...to green?!

We found ourselves at a crossroad.

Shakespeare asked, ‘What's in a name’? Reminding us that what you are is far more important than your name, but we have never been a fan of Shakespeare.

Moreover, how could he be the namesake of Sinatra with green eyes?? Change was in order but his stealth predator moves would only allow for so much variation.

 

Every bit as loveable as Frank of the Serengeti, we would like to introduce:

Kilimanjaro Jaff (really Alba Jaff, non-transferrable!)
 

Cap Does Elvis, Lip & All,,,,

 

 

 

 

Big Country,,,,

Abilene, Texas and the surrounding area is referred to as 'Big Country'. You hear this on newscasts, radio station identifications and many advertisements.

Someone of my generation inevitably gets the song, 'In a Big Country' by well, 'Big Country' stuck in their head. It is not quite as haunting as Abba's 'Dancing Queen' (which allows for more customization of lyrics), but lingering none the less.

The chorus begins, 'In a big country, dreams stay with you', and so they do....

One of our dreams was born here

 

 

Another got bigger

 

 

and bigger

 

 

A third was foreign to us, until we arrived here

 

 

 

Not quite certain that all dreams were honorable, ahem 

 

 

 

but when in Texas dream big!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



King of the Jungle (4 weeks old),,,,,

the Vendetta,,,,

We are very excited about our puppy out of imp. Gail. He is happy, sweet and has been developing as if reading the puppy stages manual,,,,
at two weeks, eyes opened

At exactly three weeks, this past Wed. he started walking

 

His character is developing and he has started playing a bit. That is what I anticipated with the hedgehog,,,

 

 

I hoped to capture one of those precious puppy moments; a photo to treasure in years to come. Instead what I witnessed can only be described as exacting revenge

 

riddled with growling and biting, it was completely void of any cuteness. It was, well, more like a 'first blood' moment. Which lead to this

pure, unadulterated gloat. Hedgehogs beware!

The Interuption,,,,

I have not been able to blog for a bit and in part it really is because as good as the weather is in Texas, the AT & T service is equally poor and we have not had connectivity since Feb 11th.

Mostly, though it is because of him:

 

and him

and her

Clearly no mere mortal was intended to resist Brae. I suspect the same will soon be said of our newest puppy. We imported Gail (above) in pup and her singleton is 2 weeks old, very excited for both of them! Thank you Mike and Stephanie for your help with the airport and keeping her until we arrived. (sorry about early

arrival ;-))

 

Great time in Texas. Brilliant fields, excellent trials. Due to circumstances I was not able to work my dogs beforehand and as such the closest I can get to the prize list is taking a picture of the winning results!

 

I will continue to post updates/pictures on Facebook as soon as I get a signal. Alasdair's Li is running extremely well. He and Sweep are partnering great and garnering points. Cap is running strong (every flank he interprets as a 'walk up',only faster!) but I am quite pleased given lack of preparation and Jim is a running a bit excitable but it is excellent experience. The double lift at Burkeys looks to be very challenging & great fun, top 10 combined overall scores from the 5 trials qualify. If the winter blues have you yearning for warm weather & outstanding trials, come on down to Texas!