Full Version: Sheepdog Finals
What are the best days to go to the Finals? I'm hoping to be able to go about 3 days. Thanks!
Go for the weekend of the open finals so you can see the semifinals and the double lift finals on the last day.
J.
J.
Yes, absolutely what Julie said. If you can go, go and see the very best.
Yup. If you can go three days, pick 9/24 (last day of the open qualifying round), 9/25 (semi-finals) and 9/26 (double lift finals).
And, better yet, volunteer to help! You don't need any skills to volunteer other than to be punctual, willing to help, and have a smile.
Thanks Sue, I might look into that. 
Is there anything specific or helpful I should know about going to the Finals?
Is there anything specific or helpful I should know about going to the Finals?
Bring your own chair. Oftentimes, there may be folding metal chairs in the spectator tent but you will be more comfy with a good folding chair. There might be bleachers, also.
Come prepared for the weather - generally mild at that time of year but it can also be rainy or dusty, or even frosty in the morning. Bring low boots and rain gear.
Bring your camera! Sit and listen. While there is a handlers' tent, many handlers may also sit in the spectators' tent, and you can learn a lot just listening.
Bring some money as there will often be at least a few booths - maybe one for the Finals committee where you can buy tee shirts and so on; maybe one or more from rescue groups (a great place to get Border Collie stuff and just good dog stuff); sometimes other vendors. Also, bring food money if you want to get eats on site. In my admittedly limited experience (only one Finals), the food choices were really enjoyable.
If you bring a dog, keep him/her on leash; bring poop bags (and watch where you step as some folks haven't ever picked up after a dog and never will, but most folks are considerate and take their dogs away from peopled areas to go); bring water for your dog and just make sure he/she stays with you and quiet. Sometimes, it's best to leave the dog home and concentrate on the action and be free to volunteer.
Buy a program - it usually has a lot of good information. Plan to see if there is a get-together of folks from here - at Gettysburg, a bunch of us went out one evening to dinner, and it was fun meeting cyber-friends and talking dogs all evening. Well, that didn't come out like I meant - talking *about* dogs all evening.
ENJOY!
Come prepared for the weather - generally mild at that time of year but it can also be rainy or dusty, or even frosty in the morning. Bring low boots and rain gear.
Bring your camera! Sit and listen. While there is a handlers' tent, many handlers may also sit in the spectators' tent, and you can learn a lot just listening.
Bring some money as there will often be at least a few booths - maybe one for the Finals committee where you can buy tee shirts and so on; maybe one or more from rescue groups (a great place to get Border Collie stuff and just good dog stuff); sometimes other vendors. Also, bring food money if you want to get eats on site. In my admittedly limited experience (only one Finals), the food choices were really enjoyable.
If you bring a dog, keep him/her on leash; bring poop bags (and watch where you step as some folks haven't ever picked up after a dog and never will, but most folks are considerate and take their dogs away from peopled areas to go); bring water for your dog and just make sure he/she stays with you and quiet. Sometimes, it's best to leave the dog home and concentrate on the action and be free to volunteer.
Buy a program - it usually has a lot of good information. Plan to see if there is a get-together of folks from here - at Gettysburg, a bunch of us went out one evening to dinner, and it was fun meeting cyber-friends and talking dogs all evening. Well, that didn't come out like I meant - talking *about* dogs all evening.
ENJOY!
I'd like to meet some cyber friends and talking dogs at the finals. I'll bet those dogs have some real interesting things to say.
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