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Thank you Cheryl and Steve Munson! We were able to purchase 9 of their beautiful lambs this past Tuesday. We will let them settle in for a period of time then put them to work. We have another 10 or so lambs coming next month so we should have a 4 to 5 fresh sets to work with.
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Tis the season for stock dog heaven! There are a number of trials taking place in coming months...
Let us know if you have any questions about them.
Whidbey Island Classic: Langley, WA - June 20, 21, 22
Ewesful Acres SDT: Longbranch, WA - June 26, 27, 28
Sheep Thrillz SDT: Scio, OR - July 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (big field. excellent dogs and handlers. We will be there)
Skagit Valley Highland Games: Mount Vernon, WA - July 11, 12 (Arena trial, fun! Ursula may be there)
On The River SDT: Acme, WA - July 25, 26 (Another very big field. Top competitors. Should be a great trial We will be there to give it a go)
Lacamas SDT: Camas, WA - August 12 - 16 (One of the most prestigious trials on west coast. We will definitely be there)
Soldier Hollow Classic: Heber City, UT - Sept. 4 - 7 (Long drive, great vacation. An invitiational for the top handlers around the world. We will be there to watch)
Meeker Classic: Meeker, CO - Sept. 9 - 13 (Second half of a great vacation. Very difficult course with extremely tough sheep)
USBCHA National Finals: Klamath, OR - Sept. 22 - 27 (Dave and Cap qualified!!! We will definitely be there!)
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But not very often!!!!
Dave got out of Cap's way this past weekend just long enough for the team to win two trials and qualify for the 2009 National Nursery Finals. George and Sue MacDonald put on just one more delightful trial complete with wonderful weather, a beautiful field, and willing sheep. A great time was had by all!
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The United States Border Collie Handler's Association (USBCHA) will hold their National Finals in Klamath Falls, Oregon this year. September 22 - 27. Ursula and Dave will be heading down to volunteer scribing and moving sheep. If you can get some time off work it is a fantastic opportunity to watch the top 150 Dog/Handler teams in North America go after a very big course and some tough sheep. Some of our local heros should be competing... Norm Close, Don Helsely, Patrick Shannahan, Lorri Schubert, Joe Haynes, Francis Chai, Bill Berhow, Kathy Knox... it doesn't get much better.
This first link is for a video about the Finals with the second link to the National Finals website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6XubwLwrw
http://www.nationalsheepdogfinals.com/
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We have honey. Lots of it!!! Raw and delicious, this is Blackberry honey produced by Bruce's Bees of Mt. Vernon, Wa. Sizes and prices can be found in our eShop.
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Cap places 2nd in his first Pro-Novice trial. Dirk's hill field in Sedro-Woolley is becoming one of our favorites!!!
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Ursula will be starting a new class focusing on your dog's recall. For dogs with no recall or those that need a bit of polish. Lasting 4 weeks, we should have one starting soon. Check our schedule for dates and times.
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Judy Norris is putting on a Fun Day/Training Trial March 29th in Yelm. Russel, Cap, and Pete should be running in it. Get ahold of us for directions... they don't get any closer.
Much further away but always an interesting trial... Dirk will be holding a trial on his hill field in Sedro Woolley. Russel and Cap will be running there.
We are looking forward to the day when Ursula's students will be joining us at the post!!!!!!
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Yikes it was cold!!!!!! We rented a U-Haul truck and put a propane heater in it so folks wouldn't leave on Sunday with frostbite! Beyond the weather it was wonderful. Norm did his thing helping dogs find their inner self. It was wonderful to watch dogs and handlers improve before your eyes. Karen and Jeanne brought food to round out Saturday's dinner centered around Tri-Tip. Joanne did Saturday lunch... Very special thanks to Cheryl Munson for the loan of sheep and the speaker system. Kathleen said she enjoyed getting on the same page with her delightful Emma. (very cool young dog!) There were many comments regarding Norm's willingness and ability to explain what he was doing and why. We will be bringing him back much sooner than later!! (the pictures on our image gallery were all taken on the same day - snow & sun)
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Just one more time, Ursula managed to overcome her stage fright and win the Pro-Novice class at the Rocky Ewe Stock Dog Trial in Roy. She and Pete worked well together dropping only 12 points out of 90. Trudy Vickland and her lovely dog Tick also had a nice run of 78/90. Ties are first broken by the outwork where Urs and Pete had a slight advantage.
Jenn Kunkel and Zoe also ran in the Novice class. Their first trial! Zoe put her big girl pants on and didn't lose her sheep. She did quite well on a new field with new sheep. Hazzah!
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We are so happy and honored to have Norman Close, the 2005 Canadian National Champion, at our little farm March 14 & 15. Norm will be providing a clinic for young or inexperienced dogs and their handlers.
I have had the pleasure of working with a few of the young dogs Norm has started and can only say HOLY SMOKES!!!! Norm has a very special way with young dogs. I believe we have one working spot left but lots of room for auditing. If you are interested please call or email Ursula so we get you on the list. Lunches and dinner are provided for attendees so come on out and join us for what promises to be a great weekend. And one more thing... Becki Maloney has graciously offered her farm in Onalaska for Norm to provide private lessons. Much larger fields... up to 40 acres. So far we have three people signed up for Monday, March 16th. Let us know if you would like a lesson with Norm. If we have enough requests we may be able to convince him to stay for Tuesday as well.
Norm's enchanting wife, Vickie, will be joining him with camera in hand when he comes for the clinic. Vickie is an extraordinary photographer as can be witnessed at www.vickieclose.com. Folks are signing up with Vickie for portrait work for their dogs while she is here. You can contact her directly at vickie@vickieclose.com or let us know so we can connect you.
Don't miss out!!!! (i have always wanted to use the word 'enchanting')
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A bit of topic but Dave will be providing a Competitive Marskmanship Clinic in Spanaway March 7th.
Dave has been instructing clinics on the west coast for approximately 16 years. He has won a few national championships, set a few national records and just generally hits what he is shooting at. Once again, email Ursula if you have interest.
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Just back from the Jack Knox clinic up at Joe & Heather Hayne's Island Crossing Farm in Arlington. The first time I was able to work with Jack a few months ago I was impressed. This second opportunity left me with a slightly different feeling...
Jack is brilliant.
It was one of the best weekends I have spent in my never ending effort to get better. If you are willing to let go of what you know or think you know for two days, it is a thought provoking and rewarding experience. We will again announce the next time Jack is coming and drag as many of you along as we can.
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