3rd Place – 2017 Meeker Classic
Barbara Ray & Stella, 8-Year-old Female
Millboro, VA
Barbara and Stella have a long, successful history in the Meeker Classic archives. Since she first ran in 2011 as a 2 – year-old, Stella has placed in the Double Lift Finals four times: 7th in 2012, 5th in 2014, 7th in 2016 and 3rd in 2017.
Stella is the product of an accident that turned out to be a good one. Out of one of her favorite dogs, Britt, the sire was a young nursery prospect she picked up from Don Helsley while in Meeker many years ago. Stella, now nine was a faithful farm hand working both sheep and cattle until she suffered a spinal injury a few years ago. The injury was such that she can only be used for trials now. Stella misses doing the daily chores on the farm but has proven to be a good breeder. Bred to Amanda Milliken’s Monty, she’s produced Howell, Tab, Maverick and Grant – all four dogs that have done well in Open trials. Maverick placed 5th in 2016 and 8th in the 2017 Double Lift Finals. Amanda Milliken won back to back championships in Meeker with Howell in 2015 and 2016. Grant was the Canadian Nursery Champion in 2017 just as his big brother Maverick did earlier.
Barbara & Maverick – one of Stella’s Son’s – at the 2016 Meeker Classic – photo courtesy of DKH Productions
Barbara’s is a familiar name on the Meeker Classic roster, first competing in Meeker when the trial was held west of its current location out towards the crossroads. She’s been trialing for over 30 years starting shortly after she happened upon a club trial in Virginia close to home. Barbara loves the community involvement in the Meeker Classic and admires all the work of volunteers pulling together to promote their community and the sport of sheep dog trials.
Barbara runs her family’s small commercial sheep and beef operation that includes managing cabin rentals on the property. Any extra time aside from the dogs and the farm is spent helping out at her daughter’s veterinary clinics. Completing tasks she couldn’t and wouldn’t do without her dogs, Barbara’s favorite part of working dogs is the teamwork involved.
