Monster in 2023 Meeker Classic
2023 Meeker Classic Reserve Champions – Double Lift Finals
Joni Tietjen & Monster – 5 -year Old Male
Clearmont, WY
Joni at the post – 2005.
Joni Tietjen’s name is a familiar one at the Meeker Classic –
she’s been competing here over 20 years. She’s qualified for the Semi-Finals and Finals several years and Reserve Champion in 2017 with Star and in 2023 with Monster. Monster’s story is a heart-felt one – he made his way to Joni via Maureen Scott Robinson. Maureen, a handler, passed away of ALS in 2020. When diagnosed, she asked Joni to take Monster and see him through to compete at Meeker. Joni stayed connected with Maureen, updating her with videos and calling as she trained Monster. Monster competed at Meeker in 2022 and came back in 2023 to fulfill Maureen’s dreams.
Joni was anxious about his first run in 2023.
She knew he needed to run to his left, his bad side, but he made it, nailed the drive, and finished the course. He got through the Semis with his shed, pen and single and went on to the Double Lift Finals on Sunday. He had a great second outrun and had an amazing drive. It was late in the afternoon and hot. Monster was giving it his all. Joni gave him a break to go to water and cool down. He came back refreshed and made the International Shed with a heroic effort but lacked the time for the pen. Monster’s performance that day touched many hearts and earned him the Reserve Champion score as well as the Biggest Heart Award – not to mention fulfilling Maureen’s wish for him to make the finals at Meeker. You can read more about Monster’s tale by clicking here.
Monster gave a heroic effort during the 2023 International Shed
When asked about her dogs,
Joni Tietjen emphasizes that she trains and uses her dogs on the ranch and for trials. She uses dogs on both sheep and cattle. Each dog is an individual and excels in different ways – there is a market for all types of dogs. Joni’s task is to fit the dog to the right track and owner. She typically will have eight dogs at home that she trains and places depending on their aptitude.
Joni first began working and training dogs for use on the ranch in 1990 and began trialing around 1995. Since then she has been a consistent top finisher in many top trials throughout the US and Canada. Joni has established a reputation as a breeder and trainer and a force to be reckoned with on the trial field.
Joni’s Lew dog – 2007
Joni feels blessed to have the many special dogs in her kennels over the years.
Like so many handlers, she credits the dogs as a blessing and the gifts that have made her the handler and trainer she is today. Joni harnesses the border collie’s heart and their desire to work livestock as she trains them first on sheep and later cattle on the ranch in Clearmont, Wyoming. Joni feels fortunate to have mentors like Pete Carmichael, Bud Boudreau, Gene Litton and Jim Swift over the years, they shared their knowledge willingly and for free. She tries her best to pay-it-forward the many gifts that have been bestowed upon her. Joni’s passion for the Border Collie breed is evident in her dogs and her success. She loves the dogs, the sport and helping others get started.
Joni sent Monster for a cool down and drink during the Final Run
Joni and her husband Blake live on a ranch in Clearmont, Wyoming where they run several hundred mother cows along with a couple hundred yearlings. The country is rough and big – Joni and Blake rely on the dogs to help get the work done. They’re a valuable resource and have cut the work time on the ranch to a minimum. Congratulations go out to Joni and Monster – they gave us a show in 2023! Monster’s home is now with Jamie Spring in South Dakota. Joni has two young dogs entered for Meeker this year – Ash & Wyn.
Monster (front) with his dad Ben. Ben made the finals in 2017 and won the preliminaries in 2019.