The Meeker Classic has added an additional day and will be running 170 dogs in the preliminary runs for 2019.
photo by Toby Leavitt
Due to a marked increase in entries, Meeker Classic has made some changes to their plans for the 2019 trial. On, Tuesday, April 9, 2019 the Meeker Classic Board of Directors voted to add an additional day and 40 dogs to the preliminary runs. The forty additional dogs will run Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
The number of dogs qualifying for the Semi-Finals will remain the same at 30 and the top 12 Dogs from the Semi-Finals will move to the Double Lift Finals on Sunday, September 8, 2019. **RULE FOR QUALIFYNG TO THE SEMI-FINALS:
SEMI FINAL ROUND TO INCLUDE 30 DOGS –The top 6 scoring runs from each qualifying day will advance to the Semi-Final Round (6 dogs/day for September 3, 4, 5, 6, 2019). Upon completion of all qualifying runs, the top 6 scoring dogs that have not already qualified (regardless of the day ran) will also advance to the Semi-Finals.
This decision was made to accommodate the consistent increase in entry numbers we have seen over the years. 330 dogs were entered for 2019. With this recent change, we will now take 170 dogs for the Preliminaries. It is our intent to look at this change as a long-term one for the Meeker Classic. Arrangements have been made for extra sheep and the Judge, Set-out and Exhaust are scheduled and confirmed. .
Tuesday’s preliminary round will be managed exactly the same as Wednesday thru Friday, however the amenities around the actual trial will be limited, ie food vendors, parking, etc. We will set Tuesday up as a “Free Admission” day to possibly get some spectators that would not come otherwise.
If anyone has questions, please email us at trials@meekersheepdog.com. The draw for accepted entries will be completed and posted on April 15, 2019. The wait list will also be posted at that date. The wait list will be managed in the same manner that it has in the past. Changes to the rules concerning, numbers, days and qualifying for the Semi-finals will be posted on www.dogtrialentry.com as well as on www.meekersheepdog.com
It is the intent of the Board of Directors to manage and host the trial to maximize the benefits to the handlers and their dogs while providing a great competition for the spectators and continue our reputation of integrity and quality.
Thanks and All the best, the Meeker Classic Board of Directors