C Crocker

Were you standing by the grandstand and talking with us? And you have a dog with Anna's breeding? I apologize for not really introducing ourselves --we all just started talking dogs and that kind of slipped my mind! Thanks for the compliments on Lyn--I do love her! She was just a few points shy of making the cut on day one, but with those fresh sheep and 90 degrees weather I think she did a fine job for her's and Suzy's first trip to SH. This is her fourth Open trial. Suzy go so many compliments on her handling and of Lyn by so many top handlers, it was humbling to think I get to own and run a dog like Lyn. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned so much this weekend. I'm glad you had a good time , too. These dogs are amazing. Carolyn

Hi Jaime, I went to Soldier Hollow--got back a few minutes ago. I met your friend Richard, had him autograph a book for a gift for a friend ( of course I am going to borrow it!). I told him you told the bc board about the book and that's how I learned of it. Richard is a very nice guy ( who liked my Lyn so I like him!). Carolyn

Jim, Yes the annual "meeting/workday " on 9/27 for Northern Ca Working Sheepdog assn would give you a chance to meet some club members . One of the organizers is Patsy, who is from Alamo ( and may be back into a new coop at Forest Home park soon). Introduce yourself to her and also Nicki Rhiel , the other organizer of this event. bring your dog, because by workday they mean work your dog, not paint fences! If you want to go to Pescadero for lessons on a regular basis I would recommend that you try and work out your schedule to meet up with Derek Fisher there, as he should be about set up to give regular lessons there. Good luck! Carolyn

Nancy, I guess I should have specified-Alun is one of the judges at the World Trial. But if you catch him off the field and not busy, introduce yourself--he is a good guy. And again have fun and good luck. Carolyn

Nancy, Best of luck over there. If you get a chance , introduce yourself to Alun and Jane Jones from Wales. He will be competing in the World Trial. Great handler and great guy ! Carolyn

Thanks for the info. If needed I will look her up at Soldier Hollow to see if she is there and working. Carolyn

Short story to this one--you have had some bad luck and you have picked the wrong working people with whom to do business.

Does Kim go to the Soldier Hollow trial? I have heard very good things about Kim from my horse lists. My dog is going to Soldier Hollow so she was just worked on by my chiropractor a few weeks ago. She really needed it. Unfortunately the chiroprator may not get a chance to work on her before we leave Wed so I wondered if Kim goes to the trial and works on any dogs there? Thanks in advance for your help. Carolyn

Magram, Thanks for jumping in with Derek's contact info. I haven't been on the computer much for a few days. And Jim please tell him in addition to Mafram that a student of Suzy's recommended him to you as he and Suzy are good friends and I know she'd like to see him him get a solid start here in the SF Bay area. You will LOVE Willowside ranch! Carolyn

Hi Sue, Sadly I am not near good enough to be trialing my dog in the Nat'ls, or anywhere in the Open as yet, but that photo is of her at the Nursery in 06 with Suzy Applegate. The person in the photo is our fellow lister Anna, as she did all the setting out for the Nursery . It's hard to see with all the smoke from fires then, but that is Mt Shasta in the background, although hard to see. My goal is to be able to move up with Lyn in the future. Thanks so much for all your organization in getting these sponsors. Carolyn

I will give you three folks to help you out possibly. The first is the woman I take lessons from , Suzy Applegate. She also trained my dog . She gives a remarkedly good lesson and is very dedicated to the student progressing. Very dependable about making an app't and keeping it. She is located in Plymouth, near Sacramento. 1 1/2 hr drive for me from Livermore. The second is a friend of mine who at one time ran the coop you speak of in San Ramon. I do not know who you went to for lessons there but my friend's name is Patsy. I am not 100% certain yet, but I do believe she and a new group of folks will be at that San Ramon coop soon. I can find out. The 3rd person is Derek Fisher who is now set up to give lessons at Willowside ranch in Pescadero. It is a great little ranch and Pescadero is a pleasant place to spend some time. If you want any contact numbers, let me know. Carolyn

Hi Sue, My info I am from Livermore, CA. I unfortunately will not be attending the finals so will not need tickets. However , if anyone from our sponsorship groups is going and will be there the first day Tues, my Lyn will be running with Suzy Applegate ( drew up 12th in the Open). I would love a report......Lyn is a small, tri female who issomewhat whippity ( if that's a word) looking. Carolyn

Laurae, Have a great time! Carolyn

Sue, I'll get my money out to you tomorrow ( Monday). Thanks for coordinating this sponsorship. On the Finals subject--is anyone going from the BC board, either a a competitor or spectator? I do see a few names I recognize from this board, but don't really know most folks here. My Lyn is going with Suzy Applegate but I m not going to go. We traded dogs this year and I have her retired Open dog Bet and have been able to trial her a few times in the P/N . Carolyn

Diane, I'll anty up the last $25 if it's not taken. Carolyn

I have had to shag up sheep after dark when I have let them out to graze and they wander too far away. It's usually a strange out run--up the driveway, behind the barn and into a couple of horse pastures. I turn off the electric fence for the dog, send her and shine the flashlight in front of her so I can feel safe about her not running into anything bad, then when she gathers up the sheep I shine it so to see the sheeps eyes like you mentioned. It is alien like and kind rather fun to watch. Boy the sheep stick together tight during this work too. Carolyn

Wendy, A very well written thoughtful post. In my opinion you have a handle on the whole Regional/Finals, whose attending Finals subject, etc. Just my opinion, for what's it's worth, I would rather my dog have to qualify for the Natl's through the multiple ( the USBCHA only counts the top 5 , so it's not much of a trailer race) trials with multiple judges, set out folks, sheep, etc than go to one Regionals with one of the before mentioned, if the Regionals is going to determine who goes to the Natl's. Once you get to the Natl's you expect to get that one chance to make it through the prelims and further. You take as it comes then. A disclaimer--I am basing that thought on years of the same situation in the horse showing world--the time for the one-time trial/show to count is at the big one , not the qualifier. I am no way near being good enough to go the Natl's , but my dog is ( going with someone else) and I hope someday I will get the chance to qualify her and attend the Natl's as an exhibitor! And GOOD LUCK to those competing this year at the Natl's. Carolyn Carolyn

I use a particular chiropractor for my sheepdogs ( and my horses and myself) who was the chiropractor for the World Agility Trial held in Switzerland in 2006, as well as the big agility trials here in the USA. She also began working on many sheepdogs the last few years ( she worked on my Nursery dog at the 2006 Sheepdog Nat'l Finals, among others). I say this to illustrate her experience in both agility and working border collies. She has told me that indeed , baring individual injuries which can occur anytime anywhere, that she finds overall the sheepdogs to be in much better shape that the agility dogs. That is just her experience after treating thousands of dogs, but it is an opinion opposite of your statement. Carolyn

Your firend may be refering to Transfer Factor, which is basically bovine colostrum, althought they may not refer to it in that way. I have used it on horses, from foals to adults , for various reasons. Hard to tell if it helped sometimes, but I do believe it did. Platinum Performance has a product not unlike it. I think I bought the human version for myself, but as usual, the I forget to take it. They make canine, equine and people products. Carolyn