The Oregon Sheepdog Society Top Team Award

Given in Memory of

 Don Baynes, Beverly Cleland, Ray Bowers, Louis Hennies, Ben Wipper, Omar Falk and Matt Hubbard

1983-Alistair MacLean & Kyle

From OSDS Newsletter by Jon Carter

    The Oregon Sheepdog Society named Leslie Carter's Wink their 1984 Dog of the Year at the annual meeting in November.  Points for this title may be earned at any open sheepdog trial in the state of Oregon and are awarded by inverting the finishing order.  In a field of 10 dogs, for example, the first place dog would receive 10 points while the last place dog would receive one point.  In 1984 there were fourteen open sheepdog trials in Oregon.
    Third place went to Jimmy Harper's Laddie, a 5 year old rough-coated black/white dog imported from Scotland as a pup and trained by Jimmy.  Laddie's pedigree contains J. Bathgate breeding on both sides.  Jimmy ran his first sheepdog trial in California in 1928 and has been in the thick of it ever since.  At age 82, Jimmy still insists on training his own dogs and his latest project, young imported Nap, won his first trial at Athena, Oregon this year.
    Second place went to last year's winners, Alistair MacLean and his young Kyle.  The rough-coated black/white female, bred by Al Zuppan out of his Gem NASDS 29519 by Arthur Allen's Moss Cap, NASDS 20945, was trained by Alistair.  Together, Alistair and Kyle shepherd a flock of over 1000 ewes on the Sitton farm in McMinville, Oregon.  The one sad note of the annual meeting was when Alistair announced his intention to return to his native Scotland sometime this year.  Alistair has contributed greatly to the level of competition here in Oregon and will be sorely missed.
    This year's winner was bred by Omar Falk out of his Twink, by his grand old trial dog, Tweed and purchased by the Carters as a seven week old pup.  The decision to acquire another Border Collie was made when it became apparent that their small sheep operation, due to poor and non-existent fencing was becoming increasingly dependent on a dog to handle chores.  They contacted Omar after attending several local trials  being thoroughly impressed by Tweed's power, style and longevity.  Tweed was eleven years old when he won his second State Championship Trial.  As her husband's dog did not handle especially well for her, Leslie decided to train Wink herself.
    Wink is a rough-coated black/white female.  She favors her sire Tweed in that she has an ample amount of power.  Her gentle manner and biddable nature favors her dam, Twink.  Wink's trial season was highlighted by wins at the Dechutes County Fair and 1st Annual Beavercreek Trial.  She also had placings of second at Sitton Farm Trial, third at Southeastern Washington Trial and the Applegate Trial Days trials and a fourth at Jefferson State Trial in Klamath Falls.  Wink was also the top American entry and 6th overall at the Western Canadian Championship.
    The 1984 season was the first year of competing in sheepdog trials for both Leslie and Wink and she credits much of her success to the dog.

1. Leslie Carter & Wink,  2.Alistair McLean & Kyle,  3. Jimmy Harper & Laddie

1986-Jon Carter & Bru

By Leslie Carter, OSDS Newsletter, Winter Issue 1987

    The Oregon Dog of the year and Top Ten Oregon Trial Dogs were recognized at the annual meeting held in Albany, Oregon on November 15, 1986.  A wall plaque was awarded to the 1st place winners.  
    In 1986 there were 11 trials held in Oregon that qualified for the top 10 award.  Our members ran 25 dogs over the course of the season.  There were only a few rules we had arranged ahead of the season; all trialling members were to be notified of the trial; the trial had to be held in the state of Oregon; and in order for a person to qualify a dog they had to be a member of the Oregon Sheepdog Society prior to the trial.  The points were awarded by giving each entrant a doint for each dog they beat and one point to be awarded to last place for participating in the trial.
    The Dog of the Year was awarded to Jon Carter's Bru.  This is the second year in a row that Bru has won this honor.  Bru's first win of the year was our season opener at Heppner, Oregon.  His second win was at the prestigious Northwest Champion Sheepdog Trial held in Scio, Oregon.   Bru also went on to win at the Jefferson State Open Sheepdog Trial held in Klamath Falls, Oregon for the second year in a row.  He won 2nd place at Turner and Beavercreek.
    Bru was the first puppy the Carter's ever sold and he has been the only dog that has been returned to them.  The original owners couldn't keep him so the Carter's found a home for him at a neighbor of theirs.  By the time Bru was a year old it was apparent that he had a lot of potential.  Jon asked if he would like to have the dog back to finish for trial work.  Jon agreed and after a short time became very fond of the dog and put his best efforts into him.  From there it has been one success after another.  We would like to congratulate Jon and Bru.  At Bru's young age we will surely see more of him in the years to come.
    The Top Ten OSDS Trial Dog Award winners this year in order of finish are as follows: 1.  Jon Carter & Bru, 2. Rob Lewis & Lass, 3. Leslie Carter & Wink, 4. Virgil Brown & Patches, 5. Jon Carter & Taff, 6. Rob Lewis & Tweed,  7. Rob Lewis & Cap, 8. Ric Rodolph & Trace, 9. Ric Rodolph & Shelley, 10. Cliff Steelman & Lass/Hank Trussler & Craig.
    The season certainly had its ups and downs.  At Heppner, we were dealt some real nasty weather.  The Monmouth Hill Trial on the other hand was held in some of the nicest weather we'd ever seen up here.  A new course popped up in Pendleton and we gave it a try only to find the sheep to be very flighty.  Then came the big trial in Scio where everything seemed to go so well, and how well we did by placing Oregon dogs in the top 3 places.  The most talked about trial of the year was the Les Schwab Hill Trial held in Monmouth.  We could say this was the challenge of the season.  This was also the last trial held on the hill.  Turner came along quietly and it's a good thing after the 2 big trials prior to it.
    The Caledonian Games Sheepdog Trial in Athena brought out what was said to be the best crowd of the season in size and enthusiasm.   In Klamath Falls the judge was said to be very strict on lines and those with the most control did the best.  Beavercreek was a fun trial to be part of.  The judge was Scottish and the course had some variation to it.  We saw another new trial field in Roseburg held in a nice big field but unfortunately the sheep knew right where they wanted to go and it wasn't through the course.
    The last trial of the year was held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting in Albany.  There were 5 dogs in Open class and those points were the last to be included in the tally for the year.
    Congratulations to all of those making the Top 10, good job!




 
Virgil Brown Captures 1987 Top Team Award  
by Myna Martin, OSDS Newsletter, Winter Issue, 1988

    Virgil Brown and his dog Patches were named the 1987 Top Team in his ninth year of trialling.  Virgil  lives on a farm outside of Scio with his wife Virginia.  They have been married for thirty-six years and have three children: Steven, a son that helps with the family business and two daughters Beth and Shari.
    Virgil's farm consists of 170 acres that he owns and another 200 acres that he leases.  On the farm he raises 300 ewes which are primarily crossbreds.  He is presently crossing his ewes with Coop bucks.  He sells feeder lambs, hay and grain that he raises on the farm.  In addition to the farm Virgil also runs a packing plant.
    Nine years ago Virgil entered his first trial.  He entered as a novice and was the only person entered in that catagory.  He won.  In those days if you won a Novice Trial you automatically were advanced to Open Class division for the next trial.  He has been trialling in the catagory ever since.
    He got his first Border Collie from Del West.  Del West was selling him some ewes for $5.00 a head and offered him his dog Shorty for $5.00 also.  Instead Virgil said he would buy one more ewe for $5.00 if he would 'throw in the dog".  That's how it was done in the "good ol' days".  Shorty then came to live with Virgil and Virginia on their farm.  Shorty only lived four more years, but in that time he earned a special place on the farm and is still thought of as Virgil's favorite dog.  Virgil only raises Border Collies because he wants a dog that wants to work and has brains.  Which pretty well sums up what the Border Collie is all about.
    Patches, the other half of the 1987 OSDS Top Team is nine years old.  Virgil got her from Ralph Pulfer when she was 5 years old.  They entered trials at Scio, Heppner, Turner, Beavercreek, Walla Walla, Athena and Roseburg.
    The following are the placing of the top 10 OSDS Teams: 1. Virgil Brown & Patches,  2.  Cliff Steelman & Nip,  3. Leslie Carter & Wink,  4. Kathy Brunetto & Sue-Nan,  5. Rob Lewis & Cap,  6. Virgil Brown & Bill,  7. Henry Trussler & Craig,  8. Mike Hubbard & Letta,  9. Alistair MacLean & Kyle,  10. Jon Carter & Bru

1988-Alister MacLean & Kyle

 

1989-Alistair MacLean & Kyle

OSDS Newsletter, Winter Edition, 1989   
By Rob Lewis

Top Ten Oregon Team (Plus One)
    Congratulations to Alistair MacLean and Kyle for heading up the 1988 Top Oregon Team award no matter how you look at it!  The objective of the award is to recognize the teams for participation and excellence.  Alistair and Kyle were certainly deserving as they participated in 5 out of 6 qualifying trials with an average score of 70.  They also competed in several trials which did not qualify.

1.  Alsitair MacLean & Kyle,  2. Kathy Brunetto and Sue-Nan,  3. Leslie Carter & Jill,  4. Nick Stagg & Bob,  5. Cliff Steelman & Nip,  6. Virgil Brown & Bill,  7. Rob Lewis & Cap,  8. Henry Trussler & Craig, 9. Rob Lewis & Lass, 10. Cliff Steelman & Lass,  11. Leslie Carter & Wink


(First Year for Pro-Novice-Novice)

OSDS Newsletter, Winter Edition, 1990
High Point Report 1989, by Alistair Maclean

    Well another year of trialling has come and gone and of course yet another High Point competition for the Open Handlers.  It was an enjoyable year, meeting all the old faces and many new ones too.  There were twelve trials which counted towards the High Point award with Klamath counting as two one day trials.  The scores and results were kept by myself and thank goodness were easy for me to calculate, although I really enjoy doing it, after all my original idea was for this competition to be FUN and I hope all the handlers who took part had just that.
    It was great to see Eileen and Laddie, Bob and Sis, Patrick and Toss all making it into the top ten after their first year in the Open class.  I am sure they will be right up there again next year.
    If any handler has any input for the High Point reward please feel free to call me or any other committee member and give us your ideas.
    The 1990 trialling season will soon be with us again and yet another chance for some lucky dog to lift the High Point Award.  So as I said earlier, let's have fun and may the best dog and of course handler win!

Open
1. Alistair MacLean & Kyle,  2. Jon Carter & Bru,  3. Kathy Brunetto & Sue-Nan,  4. Leslie Carter & Jill,  5. Kathy Brunetto & Gioia,  6. Cliff Steelman & Nip,  7. Bob Applebee & Sis,  8. Eileen McKay & Laddie,  9. Cliff Steelman & Lass,  10. Patrick Shannahan & Toss

Pro-Novice
1. Patrick Shannahan & Hannah,  2. Michelle Weitz & Taff,  3. Bernie Miller & Belle,  4. Judy Norris & Spot,  5. Bob Applebee & Lace,  6. Myrna Martin & Patsy,  7. Rachel Blake & Jess,  8. Virgil Brown & Mack,  9. Henry Trussler & Wee Jack,  10. Gary Erickson & Bell

Novice-Novice
1. Michelle Weitz & Tucson,  2. Ken Truesdell & Blue,  3. Ken Truesdell & Laddie,  4. George Gregory & Rose,  5. Dale Dietrich & Meg,  6. Judy Norris & Zip,  7. Bernie Miller & Betts,  8. Roberta Ewert & Kim,  9.Chuck Purvis & Beaux,  10.Don Boyd & Rob (Bob)

1990-Kathy Brunetto & Gioia

Open :1. Kathy Brunetto & Gioia,  2. Bob Applebee & Sis,  3. Kathy Brunetto & Sue-Nan,  4. Patrick Shannahan & Toss,  5.  Rob Lewis & Cap

Pro-Novice: 1. Patrick Shannahan & Hannah,  2. Michele Weitz & Taff,  3. Bob Applebee & Bobkat,  4. Kathy Brunetto & Skye,  5. Myrna Martin & Patsy

Novice-Novice: 1. Judy Norris & Zip,  2. Karen Robinson & Bud,  3. Bill Allison & Spank,  4. Nancy Waldron & Jenny,  5. Dale Dietrick & Rita

1991-Patrick Shannahan & Hannah

    Patrick Shannahan with a lot of skill and some wonderful dogs took first and second place in the OSDS Top Team Awards.
    Patrick has been working with sheep since he was ten years old.  He was born in Idaho and has lived there most of his life.  For a while he moved to Missouri and worked for a breif time in Oregon when a well known breeder was dispersing his flock and needed a shepherd to help him out.  Patrick has always raised Hampshires during the 22 years he has worked with sheep.
    His interest in dogs came much later.  He has a crossbred dog that he used with his sheep.  He decided that he wanted to purchase a Border Collie a little over 4 years ago.  He visited Betty Maddux and Dr. Roger Schroeder from whom he bought a pup that he named Hannah.  He went down one weekend to visit them and start training his pup.  While he was there he bought his first dog named Toss.  Toss and Patrick were a winning combination at trials.
    Three years ago Hannah was introduced to the trial scene by Patrick.  They immediately also became a winning combination.  For two years while Hannah served her apprentiship, the team kept on winning.  In fact, they recorded so many wins that Hannah was the to Pro-Novice dog in 1989 and 1990.  This year Hannah moved up with the "big guys" and continued to perform in top form.  She and Patrick won the Cowboy Round-Up SDT in Wyoming this year.  They place fourth at Buelton and twelfth in the National Handler's Finals.
    Patrick said that Hannah was an American bred dog and she had been an easy dog to train and he was looking forward to more and better from her.  Congratulations to a CHAMPION COMBINATION!

Open (37 teams competed)
1. Patrick Shannahan & Hannah,  2. Patrick Shannahan & Tony,  3. Bob Applebee & Trim,  4. Alistair MacLean & Kyle,  5. Karen Longmeier & Flint,  6. Don Boyd & Jim,  7. Don Boyd & Liz,  8. Al Zuppan & Risk,  9. Eileen McKay & Lad,  10. Ginger Zuppan & Brook

Pro-Novice (38 teams competed)
1. Kathy Brunetto & Skye,  2. Don Boyd & Nell,  3. Bob Applebee & Rock,  4. Debi Peterson & Roy,  5. Karen Robinson & Bud

Novice-Novice (40 teams competed)
1. Bonnie Block & Ruff,  2. Robin Nueffer & Goose,  3. Bill Allison & Meg,  4. Trent Jorgensen & Peg,  5. Tim Smith & Mick,  6. Lorri Schubert & Annie




Open
1. Kathy Brunetto & Skye,  2. Don Boyd & Nell,  3. Patrick Shannahan & Tony,  4. Patrick Shannahan & Hannah,  5. Kathy Brunetto & Gioia,  6. Don Boyd & Jim,  7. Joe Roe & Shep,  8. Patrick Shannahan & Spud,  9. Al Zuppan & True Grit,  10. Joe Roe & Rex

Pro-Novice
1. Patrick Shannahan & Flash,  2. Joe Roe & Meg,  3. Judy Norris & Zip/Don Helsley & Floss,  4. Don Helsley & Gypsy,  5. Cliff Steelman & Raymond,  6. Denise Shewmaker & Brutis,   7. Bill Allison & Meg,  8. Robin Nueffer & Goose,  9. Bonnie Block & Ruff,  10. Charlotte Quarnberg & Sam

Novice-Novice
1. Sue MacDonald & Beaver,  2. Don Helsley & Ellie,  3. Robin Nueffer & Tiff,  4. Don Helsley & B.C/ Cindy Keirman & Gyro,  6. Lorri Schubert & Candy,  7. George MacDonald & Wolf,  8. Ken Robinson & Freckles,  9. Ken Robinson & Gizmo/Bonnie Block & Tess,  10. Jim Dupuis & DJ