October 10, 2019

Another year of sheepdog trials has come and gone in Meeker, Colorado. The splendid beauty at Ute Park was the setting for the 33rd Annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials, September 3-8, 2019. What began with a conversation over a cup of coffee has grown into a world renowned competition. Yet the Meeker Classic still maintains that friendly atmosphere that welcomes everyone back each year.

Officiated by Andrew Dickman from Scotland, 170 dogs ran  four days of preliminary runs.  From that pool,  30 dogs advanced to the Semi-Final competition on Saturday, September 7th. Twelve dogs emerged from the Semis to go on to the Double Lift Finals on Sunday, September 8th. Heavy winds and thunderstorms halted the runs for a couple hours on Sunday. Handlers, dogs and spectators waited out the weather and returned to their seats and the field to complete what became a stellar competition for the Meeker Classic. The Meeker Classic can’t say enough about the graciousness of the handlers, event officials and spectators for their for their patience and understanding with the weather complications of the final day.

Nine Hundred yearling Merino ewes from the Campbell-Hansmire Sheep operation came down from their summer home in the high country to the Meeker Classic. Each of the 170 preliminary runs had  five fresh sheep that had never set foot on the field.  They came back to the trial field only once more for either the Semi’s or Finals.  The Meeker Sheep didn’t disappoint at they presented challenges throughout the six-day competition. An outstanding set-out crew of Mark Henderson and Shawn Casey assisted by Mariane Sasak and Wayne Neilsen at the exhaust made sure the sheep entered and exited the field in a calm and efficient manner. The efforts of trial officials and numerous volunteers who  helped time, post scores, haul sheep, work the corrals and officiate the competition helped stage a memorable competition for spectators and handlers alike.

The final twelve handlers and dogs that made it to the Double Lift Finals faced a more difficult challenge than the preliminary and Semi-Final courses.  Instead of 5 sheep, the dogs had to gather two bunches of 10 (thus the term Double Lift) and had to work those 20 sheep through the components of the course.

Two handlers had two dogs running in the  Double Lift Finals, Dennis Edwards of Sundance, Wyoming  with Coup and Roy and Bryan White of Bend, Oregon with Brae and Gus. Scott Glenn and 4-year-old Taff from New Dayton, Alberta were up second in the running order that day.  Their out work on double lift earned them 84 points and then a good drive score  got them 30 more points to total 114 points for the run.  This score gave  them the Championship for the 2019 Meeker Classic.   Scott has had a great year. He went on to Carbondale from Meeker and won the USBCHA National Finals with his dog Alice.  He also placed 2nd with Alice in the 2019 Soldier Hollow Classic.  This is Scott’s second Meeker Classic Championship – he and Pleat won in 2005. Scott was Reserve Champion with Don in 2014 and has placed in the finals at Meeker several times.

Dennis Edwards and 7 year-old Roy ran the last run of the day and ended up as Reserve Champions. Dennis is a past Meeker Classic Champion with Coup in 2017.   He and Coup ran right after the storm this year and ended up in 7th place.

Placing 3rd was Marianna Schreeder and Star from Smyrna, GA.  This team drew a tough spot for the preliminaries being the first run of the entire competition on Tuesday morning.

 

Lyle East and Mo from Cinton, Missouri placed fourth. Lyle recently earned a champion title at the USBCHA National Cattledog Finals.

Bryan White placed 5th and 6th with his dogs Brae and Gus. He and Brae were the only team of the day that completed the International Shed.  Bryan also took home Day money and special awards as did most of the other top 12 finalists.

Diana Sylvestre and Kip placed 8th overall as first time competitors at Meeker.

Familiar names and respected competitors, Bev Lambert and Lee and Faansie Basson and Jack followed Diana in 9th and 10th place.

Sonia Craig and Hoss from Payette, Idaho was 11th and Pierce Holt and Pete from Christoval, Texas were 12th.

Final results, scores and awards are posted on the website and on www.dogtrialentry.com.

Visitors were welcomed to Meeker by friendly volunteers and numerous opportunities to learn, shop and spend their time.  A full slate of educational opportunities offered everything from Sheep Cheese Tasting to various dog demonstrations on flyball, agility, training and scent competitions. Evening activities included relaxing in the beautiful White River Valley, attending the Art Reception, Meeker Mustang Makeover and the Jammin’ Lamb Festival. Food and craft vendors made for varied cuisine and  great shopping.

 

 

 

 

Yielding  challenges and personal victories and sometimes disappointment, the Meeker Classic is a showcase for sportsmanship, stockmanship and volunteerism. Where the journey can be as rewarding as the victory –  the endearing qualities of the dogs, the community and the competitors bring people back each year. We look forward to sharing time together in 2020!