Paxton Valley Sheep Dog Trial
October 8-10, 2004
We made it through the first annual trial without too many glitches. The weather tried to cooperate. Friday afternoon the NovNov got drenched as did the set out and exhaust crew but we persevered. Saturday and Sunday were cold and windy but dry. Bob Stephens judged the NovNov class and encouraged them with well placed advice.
Dale Montgomery did an excellent of judging the ProNov & Open and he and his wife Dawn enjoyed their stay in BC. We used the home flock of Katahdins and brought in a flock of Barbados. The sheep were light and fast and the draw was strong to the exhaust making the dogs and handlers work hard. On the advice of other trail organizers and the judge, the exhaust will be changed next year to keep the sheep from going off-course and the top setout will be back further with an alleyway to the gate on top.
There were some very good runs out there with Larry Cochlan & Jade winning both NovNov trials, Nancy Stephens & RMS Ike winning both ProNov trials and Diana Gauthier & Keen-Eye Tan winning Trial 1 with Jennifer L’Arrive & Del’Mar Tess winning Trial 2 in the Open.
Our sorting pen workers were wonderful and handled the sheep well. Travis Odione and Rose who have sheep in 4-H worked all weekend. They said they enjoyed talking with the handlers and learned a lot about Border Collies. Jamie Florence did an excellent job of the Raffle table with Carly Revel always ready to help out. We always enjoy Lynn Landry’s booth especially we lady shoppers! Thanks to the ladies that took turns looking after Mary Marriott’s table of knitted goods. Mary let us use her Pratleys for the trial. Thanks to Bob & Nancy Stephens and Larry & Gayle Cochlan for the use and assembly of their tents. Thanks to the setters Gayle Cochlan, Jill Brodie, Lorne Landry, Bob Stephens, Lee Lumb, Fran McPherson, Brian Nelson, Margie Jamieson, Diana Gauthier, Jennifer L’Arrivee & Chris Hanson. Exhaust people Bryan Looker, Nancy Stephens, Jamie Florence, Jennifer L’Arrive, Larry Cochlan, Wendy Legare & Brian Nelson. Our announcer Percy Cowan who did a great job. Scribes Lynn Landry, Jan Douthwaite, Dawn Montgomery and Pam Boring. Marj Pasmen & Chris Cross who kept the judge fed & watered. Len Brunner who helped exhaust, brought the flocks up to the setout, watered and just about anything we needed him to do. Josie Cowan for helping clean up after the dinner.
A special thanks to Lee Lumb, Lynne Schweb and Chris Cross who helped out weeks before the trial and throughout the trial and kept me sane. If I left anyone out I apologize but you are all very much appreciated and we couldn’t have a trial without you.
Our sponsors were Schweb Contracting, Eagle Pack Dog Food, Unifeed Armstrong, Rattle Box Sheep & Wool (Mary Marriott) & Colonial Farms. Our concession and Caterer Barr-Nunn Cappuccino & Grill did an amazing job of the concession and the handler’s dinner.
See you all next year…….Here are the Overall results:
Open Overall
- Lee Lumb and Mac
- Brian Douthwaite and San
- Gayle Cochlan and Kate
- Nancy Stephens and Jenn
- Gayle Cochlan and Cap
Pro-Novice Overall
- Nancy Stephens and RMS Ike
- Lynne Schweb and Craig
- Diana Gauthier and Imp Keen
- Lorne Landry and Cassie
- Pam Boring and Meg
Novice Overall
- Larry Cochlan and Jade
- Brian Looker and Jim
- Josie Cowan and Tib