Sue Wessels & Lexy Win Open Class At
27th Annual Caledonia n Games SD
The second full weekend in July always means kilts, bagpipes, Scottish games and a sheepdog trial in Athena, Oregon. Thirty seven dogs competed in three classes for top honors and points at the 2-one day OSDS and U.S.B.C.H.A. sanctioned trials. Judge for this years trial was Nick Nelson of Pendleton, Oregon who is the Animal Science Instructor at Blue Mountain Community College.
The sheep were provided by Don Couch who also served as Course Director.
Awards made by Gwen Hegdall of Mountain Mud Stoneware located up the road at Weston, Oregon were presented to the overall winners of Saturday and Sundays trials. Ribbons were presented to sixth places.
Sue Wessels of Dayton, Washington with her dog Lexy took home the High Point Open award. She also won second place with Tess. Third place was Elizabeth Anderson and Sally from Wilder, Idaho. Ron Green and Kane from Spokane, Washington placed fourth. Melinda Eden and Jill from Milton-Freewater, Oregon placed fifth. Sixth place was awarded to Don Couch and Ali from Caldwell, Idaho. Vickie Smith and Jessy from Maupin, Oregon place seventh in their first Open trial. Eighth place went to Susan Lindstadt and Vangie from Homedale, Idaho.
The Pro-Novice Class had the most entries this year with 18 teams. Diane Deal and Fame were the top team from Greenleaf, Idaho. Terri Zurcher from Middleton, Idaho and her dog Bess placed second and Susan Lindstadt and Star placed third. Diane Deal and Petal won fourth place and Diane also placed fifth with Shep. Seventh place was awarded to Hope Harris and her dog Tigr from Deer Park, Washington. Kathy Hipke from Boise, Idaho and Pat placed eighth.
The Pro-Novice Class also had to attempt the 'chute'. For lack of entries the Nursery Class was combined with the Pro-Novice Class.
Novice Novice Class had 7 entries on Saturday and 8 entries on Sunday. Carolyn Harwell and Beth of Orting, Washington won first place overall. She also won second place with her dog Brynn. Third place was awarded to Mary Ann Lindsey and Tan of Hayden Lake, Idaho. Robyn McNall and Tank of Sand Point, Idaho placed fourth. Fifth place was Jody Raubenheimer and her dog Circle from Caldwell, Idaho. Amy Raymond and Nikki from Helix, Oregon placed sixth.
At the Saturday morning handlers meeting Trial Secretary Donna Grimes thanked all the handlers for their entries and support of the trial. She announced that this would be the last year she and her husband David and their sons Chris and James would be hosting the trial.
"We want to see the trial continue and it is our wish that a handler will step up and take over," said Donna. "It will make for a much smoother transition because someone that trials will better understand what has to be done," she added. "Our family has grown-up and moved on and it is time to step down, 25 years have gone by fast."
Saturday nigh all the handlers, trial staff, Scottish games participants and friends ate tri-tip, pork loin and grilled salmon while the pipe bands played. It was a great way to close out an era.
As I compose my final write up for this trial I am thinking about all the wonderful people our family has become acquainted with over the last 25 years. David and I want to thank all the handlers for the gifts you presented us with on Saturday night. I wish to thank Alan and Cara Wernsing for their help and support. Alan has helped haul sheep, supplied the judges stand trailer and his wife Cara and daughter Rachael have been my statisticians for many years. I can never thank enough John and Cora Gurren who drive up from Estacada, Oregon every year with loads of food and a willingness to help wherever needed. We couldn't have done it without you. They have been a rescue and safe haven for Border Collies since 1993 and have lovingly place many, many dogs into good homes. Theirs is truly a labor of love. For many years John Mathwick of Milton-Freewater, Oregon supplied his sheep for free--Thank You. Kathy and Frank Brunetto helped us get over the rough spots in the beginning, Cliff Steelman who had a dream and took time to help many novices. Our sheep were also supplied for many years by Judy Norris who would load up that double decker trailer and head down the road with Nora Linbo or alone all the way to Athena--Thank You. To Brian Ricards-we miss you. Mary Ann Lindsey--we'll see you next year.