2019 Meeker Classic – 3rd Place
Marianna Schreeder & Star, 5-Year-old Female
Smyrna, Georgia
photo courtesy of Paul Turner
Drawing the #1 slot for the running order for 170 dogs is not always the most coveted position, especially if you’re running a dog you’ve only been partnered with for four months. Such was the case with Marianna Schreeder and Star for the 2019 Meeker Classic. Marianna and Star were still getting to know each other and had only competed together in 3 previous trials. Such was the case when they stepped on to the field early Tuesday morning, September 3, 2019. “How did I feel about being the very first run with Star at Meeker 2019? Terrified! Star’s background in working range ewes, and her previous success at Meeker helped to give me confidence,” says Marianna looking back on the 2019 Meeker Classic. “And penning those sheep as the first run of the day was an incredible feeling!” Marianna and Star ended up with the 2nd high score for that day and 8th high preliminary score of the 170 dogs. They went on to the Semi-Finals and from there qualified for the Double-Lift. It was a great experience, especially having her mother there to watch the runs.
Photo courtesy of PiperAnne Worcester
Marianna was introduced to working Border Collies by her mother who had purchased her first Border Collie pup during a family trip to Ireland. Marianna comes from a hose background and showed Hunter Jumpers throughout her Junior and High school years. They owned several Welsh Corgis which is how her mother selected Border Collies, with their similar personality and work ethic. Marianna’s first Border Collie wasn’t intended to be a working dog, but he had other thoughts and after slowly starting him they competed in their first trial in 2002.
photo courtesy PiperAnne Worcester
Star met a need in Marianna’s life when she lost one of her best Open dogs. “Star & I have a special relationship. I purchased her from Joni Teitjen in May 2019, less than a month after one of my best Open dogs suddenly became ill and passed away. Star & I bonded instantly off sheep. She is easy going and laid back at home or travel. Most importantly, Star has many of the same personality traits of the dog that passed. I wasn’t looking for a dog at the time, and I don’t think Joni was seriously considering selling Star. Star came into my life to fill a void, and I’m forever grateful for Joni’s friendship for allowing me to take Star. Joni & Star were Reserve Champion at Meeker in 2017!”
photo courtesy of Paul Turner
Star has easily adapted from a ranch dog to a city dog. Marianna lives in the suburbs outside of Atlanta, GA. Working them on sheep 2-3 times a week, Marianna keeps her dogs in shape by running them with a bicycle, swimming them during the summer heat. Now 6 years old, Star is a full litter mate to Joni Tietjen’s Ben who had high preliminary score at the 2019 Meeker Classic. On her father’s side she goes back to Bobby Henderson’s Spot and Johnny Willson’s Spot. On her mother’s side, Star’s breeding traces back to Juan Reyes’ Red who is a son of Red Oliver’s Luke dog. Star’s easy-going personality changes into a “pushy, take-charge type of dog” when she works sheep. Marianna must remind Star now to push too hard, but the dog’s natural talent makes working her a real pleasure.
We congratulate Marianna and Star on their successes and hope to seem them on the field in Meeker in 2021!
Star waiting her turn during the Semi-Finals 2019 – photo courtesy of Toby Leavitt