February 18, 2016

One Dog Sponsor’s Story . . . .

 

Several years ago, Debra Hutchinson was traveling through Meeker and noticed a bunch of sheep and dogs in a field outside of town. There were cars, tents and bleachers – it was the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials. Being a dog enthusiast, she stopped to see what the Meeker Classic was all

Howell, Amanda Milliken and the Dog Sponsor Debra Hutchinson, Aspen Pet Services
Woody Creek, CO – 2015 Meeker Classic Champions
photo courtesy of DKH Productions

about.  One of the first runs she watched was Ontario, CANADA handler, Amanda Milliken with one of her dogs.  From that moment on, Debra was smitten with the Meeker Classic, sheepdog trials and Border Collies.  Debra became a Dog Sponsor and has sponsored a dog through her business, Aspen Pet Services, for several years.  In 2015, Debra’s name was drawn to sponsor Amanda Milliken’s dog Howell.   She made a special point of being in Meeker early the morning that Amanda & Howell ran in the preliminaries. Howell and Amanda went on to become the 2015 Champions.  Congratulations to Debra for Sponsoring the 2015 Champions and thanks for giving us such a great story to share!

 

The Meeker Classic started the Dog Sponsor program several years ago in order to give spectators and supporters the opportunity to be more involved with the Trials.  It’s a great way to participate in the Meeker Classic on a grass roots level and get to know the “talent” involved.  We know many have developed wonderful friendships with the handlers and dogs over the years.l The funds raised from Dog Sponsorships go toward the sheep being properly fed and secure during the trial, and operational needs of the Trial itself.  The Meeker Classic relies heavily on these funds in order to continue presenting a quality event that both Handlers and Spectators enjoy.

 

 

 

As a Dog Sponsor you have the opportunity to meet and learn more about our Handlers at a level not available to the regular public.  You will also have the opportunity to have your picture taken with the Handler/Dog team that you have assigned to you.  The Meeker Classic Staff will conduct a random drawing to select Sponsor assignments at the same time they conduct the drawing for Handler/Dog Team running order.

 

In addition to these benefits, the Dog Sponsor will have their name, or the name of your company; published in the popular Meeker Classic Program, on each daily running order, announced by the announcer prior to and during the actual “run”, and displayed upon the digital scoreboard viewed by the entire crowd, and published on the Web Site.   Those of you looking for a viable advertising tool cannot go wrong and will receive excellent visibility for the funds expended.  The Dog Sponsorship is also a tremendous way for you to show others that you care about the future of Sheepdog Trialing and what it does for the Meeker community.

 

Last year the Meeker Classic started the Dog Sponsor Club.  As a Dog Sponsor you will automatically be a member of this Club.  We did this in an effort to say thank you and recognize our loyal supporters.  As a member you have the opportunity to win several prizes by having your name drawn during the trials, and other premier prizes as well.  Last year we awarded 14 commemorative jackets to Club Members.  We will do this again this year.

 

All of the benefits and rewards are numerous and lead to long and lasting friendshps . You can download a 2016 Dog Sponsor Application and Information Form now or take a moment and go to the Webpage to review all these tremendous benefits and of course you have the opportunity to enroll while online, or follow the instructions noted.

If you should have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Bernie Gantt at 970-220-2034 or  milehiben@hotmail.com

Thank you for your time and we hope to see you in Meeker in September!