collieTHE BORDER COLLIE

While the Meeker Classic welcomes any herding breed, the Border Collie predominates. Physical appearance has no strict standard. You will see smooth, medium or rough-coated dogs. Colors are black, black and tan, and reddish-brown, all usually with white markings. Although appearances may differ, the working style of the Border Collie is distinctive.

The dog moves with its head low to the ground, its hindquarters high and its tail tucked between its legs. This unique position exhibits the very traits inherited from the Border Collie’s ancestral breeding.

This dog was bred to gather, not drive, sheep. Hence, it works calmly and swiftly without barking or nipping (Whippet influence), unlike some other herding breeds. The intense gaze or “eye” (pointer/setter influence) wills the sheep to obey. Bred to “clap” or face the sheep head-on with its belly close to the ground, the Border Collie controls by imitating the stance of a predator. The successful dog combines all these characteristics to elicit respect, not fear, from the sheep. With its flock under control, the dog herds with calm precision, lightning quick reflexes, an uncommon intelligence and an innate desire to please. Keep these points in mind as you enjoy the fieldwork of these amazing dogs at the Meeker Classic.

THE MEEKER SHEEP

Meeker sheep are famous for their independent ways and it’s why handlers love to test their dogs here. “The sheep are very smart,” says Alasdair MacRae. “They can find a dog’s weaknesses. If you win at Meeker, you’ve really won.” Jack Knox agrees. He won it all here in 1989 and is one of the top trialers in the country. Even so, he says, “When I go to Meeker, I know that every other guy has as good a chance as I do.” And we have the sheep to thank for that. ** credit to Keith Chamberlain, 25 Year History of Meeker Classic

The Campbell Hansmire Sheep operation are providers of the 750 Merino Yearling ewes for the Meeker Classic. Julie Hansmire and her late husband Randy Campbell built a range sheep (herded, no fences) operation that migrates from winter range North of Cisco, Utah to the high, lush mountain pastures above Vail and Eagle, Colorado in the summer. The bands of sheep, guarded by herders and dogs, retrace their path back down out of the high country in fall and settle back in for the winter near the ranch headquarters at the historically known Cottonwood Ranch.

Known in the dog trialing realm as tough, independent sheep that challenge dogs and handlers alike, the sheep are also known for their quality on the hoof and in the wool they produce. Big strong lambs, productive ewes and fine merino wool stands testimony to good husbandry and breeding practices that have been a priority of the Campbell Hansmire Sheep operation. Carrying on what she and her husband started, Julie and her son, Lynn and daughter Clay, spend much of their time horseback trailing to and from the high country, checking sheep on the winter desert range and moving sheep camps.