Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial, October 16–18, 2009 Options

[Laurae]

The first annual Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial, held in beautiful Carbondale, Colorado, on October 16–18, 2009, was a challenging dress rehearsal for the USBCHA National Finals to be held in 2011. Located at 7,000 feet in the hills above the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley, with stunning views of Mount Sopris and the West Elk Mountain Range as a backdrop, Strang Ranch will be the site of the 2011 National Finals competition. The rolling terrain created a difficult course for the competitors, who hailed from all over Colorado and surrounding states, and as far away as North Carolina, but the challenging range ewes, provided by Calvin Roberts, were even and worked well for those dogs who handled them correctly. Classes included Open, Open Ranch, Pro-Novice, Novice-Novice, and Juniors, and the weather couldn't have been better—it was cool and crisp in the morning and about 60 degrees in the afternoon.

The 2011 National Finals will be co-hosted by Strang Ranch and Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), along with the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals Committee. The partnership of AVLT, Strang Ranch, and the National Sheepdog Finals is a natural fit. AVLT has conserved Strang Ranch in conservation easement with the intent of "permanently conserving open space for agricultural, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat and recreational use." AVLT will be the primary benefiting and sponsoring charitable organization for the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals.

Strang Ranch is a family-owned and -run business. It is a working cattle ranch and a sport horse breeding operation as well as a busy equestrian center, hosting many hunter/jumper and dressage shows clinics and daily lessons. The ranch lies on 460 acres of irrigated and pasture land, and is only 10–20 minutes from the towns of Carbondale, Basalt, and Glenwood Springs, and 30 minutes from Aspen. The Roaring Fork Valley is host to world-class restaurants, fantastic hiking, biking, and rafting, and September is still a good time for those activities. We hope many of you will come and enjoy this wonderful valley in September 2011.

Next fall, Strang Ranch plans to host an Open and Nursery trial. Further information, including the exact dates of the trial, will be posted in the coming months.

For more information, contact Bridget Strang, Ellen Nieslanik, or Dan Keeton.
Website: http://www.sheepdogfinals.com (under development)
Email: 2011finals@gmail.com
Mail: Strang Ranch National Sheepdog Finals, PO Box 302, Meeker, Colorado 81641

For a closer look at Strang Ranch, visit http://www.strangranch.com.


Results 2009 Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial
Judge: Amelia Smith

OPEN – Friday, October 16, 2009 (20 dogs)
Jim Swift Zac 81
Larry Adams Raid 73
Libby Neider Lyn 66
Jim Swift Molly 61
Terri Warner Kep 59
Larry Adams Mirk 58
Libby Nieder Sidney 58
Maury Harris Brie 57
Mike Furcolow Lad 55
Maureen Scott Robinson Lizard 55

OPEN RANCH – Friday, October 16, 2009 (16 dogs)
Maury Harris Glen 43
Marianne Sasak Dot 38
Lise Andersen Mack 34
Sean Casey Maisey 26
Bridget Strang Rose 25

OPEN – Saturday, October 17, 2009 (21 dogs)
Melinda Brenimer Finn 93
Larry Adams Raid 89
Libby Nieder Lyn 84
Jim Swift Molly 79
Jim Swift Zac 76
Maury Harris Brie 70
Terri Warner Gabby 70
Libby Nieder Sydney 64
Maureen Scott Robinson Newt 55
Terri Warner Ross 48

OPEN RANCH – Saturday, October 17, 2009 (17 dogs)
Corey Anderson Leksi 59
Sean Casey Maisey 48
Loreli Judd Molly 45
Loreli Judd Flash 37
Lise Andersen Mack 37

PRO NOVICE – Sunday, October 18, 2009
TRIAL 1 (10 dogs)
Bridget Strang Rose 66
Ellen Nieslanik Nell 61
Laura Esterman Taz 53
TRIAL 2 (10 dogs)
Sue Chisholm Gael 57
Diana Rollings Larkin 54

NOVICE-NOVICE – Sunday October 18, 2009
TRIAL 1 (9 dogs)
Deb Terry Peg 65
Bridget Strang Treat 57
Susan Squires Bailey 45
TRIAL 2 (9 dogs)
Deb Terry Peg 71
Sandi Jones Chloe 51

JUNIORS – Sunday, October 18, 2009
TRIAL 1 (2 dogs)
Corey Anderson Skip 64
Tina LePlatt Clair 45
TRIAL 2 (2 dogs)
Corey Anderson Skip 66
Tina LePlatt Clair 58