April 30, 2024

2023 Meeker Classic Champions

Tom Wilson & Bet – 4 Year-old Female

Gordonsville, Virginia

Tom Wilson is a Master Shepherd

who has been traveling the US for decades to compete with his dogs in sheepdog trials. He found his way to Meeker for the first time to compete in the 1990 Meeker Classic Sheep Dog Trials, and as he puts it still to this day, “I love coming to Meeker. I like the people, the countryside, the challenge of the trials. And the running of the Meeker trials is second to none.” That is what has kept this man coming back year after year and made him one of the cornerstone characters of the Meeker Classic.

 

Tom and four year-old Bet

won the 2023 Meeker Classic Sheep Dog Trials. This was Tom’s third time winning in Meeker, and his dog Bet’s first time. Tom also won in 2006, and 2007 with his dog Sly. And according to him “It does take some luck. The right run, the right shoot.” It obviously also takes a great dog and a strong bond, but that is something Tom has shared with dogs since his upbringing in Scotland.

 

Tom’s father and two brothers were also shepherds,

and the work was something Tom saw as his past, present, and future,even when he was still in school. He competed in, and won his first trial when he was 21. Then eventually moved to the United States in the 80s, and today he lives in West Virginia with his wife Florence still raising sheep, cattle and dogs.

Tom hopes to return to Meeker again for the 2024 trials,

but also plans to hopefully compete in the other trials he frequents in Colorado, Virginia, and Kentucky. We have numerous memories and laughs with Tom going back 34 years. It’s best summarized by this: Respected for his skills as a handler and a shepherd,over the years Tom has kindly given advice, friendship and support to anyone who has asked. Respected and endeared by many in the sheepdog world, he’s always game for some fun. A handler recently shared his thoughts, “One of my idols is Tommy Wilson because at the end of the day you can’t tell if he won or finished last. He has the same big smile.”

Tom chuckles about the characters

he’s met over the years and the experiences he’d never thought he’d have. A three-time guest on David Letterman’s Late Night Show wasn’t in the plans of this young shepherd working in Scottish Border country. Tom recalls the first time on the show, the sheep had never seen a dog – he was to put them in an elevator with his dogs – without torn wool or battle wounds. You can watch by clicking here.

Another Tom Wilson Quote:

“I always knew what I wanted to do and have never regretted working with sheep and dogs,” says Wilson. “I have met some wonderful and honest people and have seen some great dogs in my lifetime. Traveling to dog trials is just the icing on the cake. I love the trials in the west with their wild range sheep. They seem to bring out the worst and the best in the dogs that is great to watch. Meeker ranks right up there  with the best.” Tom finishes by saying, “Everyone wants to win and it is nice to win, but it’s more important to enjoy the journey along the way.”

**A special thanks to contributing writer – Adrienne Wix. Adrienne serves as a board member on the Meeker Classic Board of Directors. You’ll be seeing more of her work going forward.