EYE CLINIC:   Amy Coapman is in charge of the eye clinic.  If you have not heard from her check with her at the Eye Clinic location.  She will have posted appointment times.

NATIONAL FINALS ENTRIES, updated 9/10
Please call on cell #254-715-1290 if you have a cancellation.
Open - 9.6 will be the next point in.

ATTENTION:  Handler packets will be ready to pick up Saturday morning at the RV check in area. Handlers can park campers at the RV area any time after 1pm on Friday.  Jo Woodbury

I will be leaving on Sept. 10 for the finals, my cell is 254-715-1290 or you may leave message on home phone 254-486-2500.  Will return all calls.  Thanks,  Francis

Contact person for eye test appointments (Sept. 16 17) is Amy Coapman,  #530-436-2443   
acoapman@california.ihs.gov   Thanks,  Francis
Hank's Catering, a popular caterer at many Wyoming and South Dakota dog trials will offer dinner each evening of the National Finals. The menu will vary, but "what's for dinner" will be posted each morning. Just let Hank know how many for dinner and he'll do the rest. It can be eaten at tables Hank provides or can be taken back to your own camp. His meals and deserts are great. When you're too tired to go out or fix it yourself, Hank can make things simple. Hank's Catering will also be open every morning by 6 am with coffee/juice and breakfast and will serve just about anything you want throughout the day. We love it when he's at a trial, cuz his food is good, he's cheerful and on time... and I don't have to pack as many groceries.  Jo Woodbury

                                                                          Finals Program
The Tri State Livestock News is publishing the Finals Program. Contact Crystal Long 1-877-347-9130, 
877-347-9126 (fax),  clong@countrymedia.net.    Ad deadline is August 15, 2003.  Your cost for promoting your business and/or supporting the folks putting on your National Finals:
                                                  Full page (4 3/4” x 7 7/8”) $395.00
                                                  1.2 page (43/4” x 3 7/8”)   $195.00
                                                  1/4 page (2 3/8” x 3 7/8”)   $99.00
                                                  1/8 page (2 3/8” x 2”) ….   $49.50
Wish “GOOD LUCK” to your fellow competitors ….    Even a small ad will greatly help the Stugis Finals committee cover some of their production costs of this first USBCHA Finals.

                                           HANDLER RV PARKING at the 2003 National Finals
 There is a great area just west of the trial field where handlers may park their RVs. It is a hay meadow, which belongs to the City of Sturgis, that will recently have been mowed. Handlers are also welcome to park on the graveled parking area. Access to the RV parking area offers two possibilities. The most direct and easiest route is through the main spectator parking gate which runs through BLM property and into the City Property. There will be a sign which states: Spectator Entrance”. The road is a wide, newly graveled, all-weather road and allows even the most cautious RV parker a very easy route in which to park their RV. This is the route we prefer people use if they come in prior to the start of the Nursery running or while the trial field is not in use. As this road also runs through a part of the trial field, it will not be accessible when the trial field is in use. However, when the trial field is not in use, it will be the most direct way to the main highway.

Which brings us to the second route into the RV parking area. This route comes through Ft. Meade. The road is paved, but is a little narrower and windier then the BLM route. The road is very adequate and very do-able to get an RV through.  It will be signed posted – “Handlers Only”., Once in the fort, simply follow the signs. This is the route to use to come and go from the RV area while the trial field is in use. Ft. Meade houses quite a few veterans in the homes on the grounds, so we need to be courteous as we come and go through the residential portions of the Fort.
Tent camping is welcomed.
                                                                    Water and sanitation services
Potable water for campers, dog water and septic pumping will be available on a daily basis in the Handler RV Parking area. A sign up sheet will be used and someone familiar with the camper MUST be present when water and/or septic services are provided. Charges are being determined, but will be as cheap as we can negotiate. Because of the need to get service people and vehicles to the campers, we are going to ask that we keep some ‘”lanes” open and will need you to take a numbered flag/sign and display it prominently to facilitate folks finding you. We will have someone available when you check in to answer questions. Handler packets will also be available at check in.
Garbage receptacles and porta-potties will also be available in the RV area.

                                                           INCLEMENT (wet) WEATHER PLAN

 Should Sturgis receive a great deal of moisture, we may need to go an INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN. The City has asked us to protect their hay meadow should they get an abundance of moisture. There is a large, graveled parking area on the City Property adjacent to the trial field. Handlers are welcome to park there at any time. Should you anticipate pulling your RV out and you think it may be muddy, you will need to move it the graveled area or one of the RV full service parks in the area prior to it getting too muddy to move your RV. If you will make ruts as you pull out, you will be asked to wait for the ground to dry out before leaving.

Should it be muddy, but you do not need to move your RV, you will need to park your transportation vehicle on the gravel and walk to your RV.

You may also choose to use one of the RV parks and avoid any delays or inconveniences because of wet weather. (Lamphere’s RV park is a major sponsor and about a mile from the trial site.)

The Host Committee for this year’s National Sheepdog Finals trials encourages volunteers to join in to make it a successful event. . There is a “Volunteer Workers form” on USBCHA home web site http://www.usbcha.com (bottom left corner).  You may also contact Jo Woodbury  joleo@vcn.com or Barb Ross MOBLROSS@msn.com .  A form for volunteers can, also, be mailed to you.  These forms should be returned as soon as possible so that jobs can be assigned.  Preferably NO later than Aug. 10th.   
We look forward to working with volunteers to make this the best Sheepdog Nationals Finals ever. 
Thanks,  Barb Ross

USBCHA NATIONAL & NURSERY FINALS, SEPTEMBER 14 – 21, 2003  STURGIS, SD

Location The City of Sturgis, SD is located 30 miles NW of Rapid City, SD, just off of Interstate 90. 
Directions From the East (I-90) (Rapid City, SD)  In South Dakota drive west on I-90 to exit 32 (You are not in Sturgis), continue straight until right on Junction Ave (Highway 79) [1 mile appx.]. Drive out of town and take right into Fort Meade [2 miles]. Follow signs.
From the West (I-90) (Wyoming): 
Driving East in South Dakota on I-90. Take exit 30 (You are now in Sturgis). Turn Left at light (Junction Ave/Highway 79). Drive out of town [appx 3 miles]. Turn right into Fort Meade and follow the signs.
From the SouthEntering Wyoming on I-25 Northbound.  At I-25 Exit 126, turn RIGHT onto Ramp (0.3 miles. Turn RIGHT (East) onto US-18 [US-20] (67.2 miles) 0:50.  Turn LEFT to stay on US-18 [US-20] (1.6 miles). Turn LEFT (North) onto US-18 [US-85] (73.6 miles). Keep STRAIGHT onto US-85 (122 miles).  Entering South Dakota:  Bear RIGHT (East) onto US-14 Alt [US-85] (38.0 miles)  Road name changes to SR-79 [Lazelle St].  From there you will be driving into the heart of Sturgis.. On to the finals location:. continue straight out of town (3 miles) Take right into Fort Meade and follow signs
Finals
Web Site
Sturgis, trials information web site link click here!.  
Sturgis's Chamber web site is 
www.sturgis-sd.org
Entry Deadline August 1, 2003 - No entries postmarked after that date will be accepted.  Entry forms will be mailed third week of June. 
Nursery Finals Judges Nursery Sept. 14, 15, 16.. Elvin Kopp and Angie Coker will judge both rounds, combined scores
Open Finals Judges Kent Kuykendall and Bobby Henderson judge first go round of Open
Angie Coker and Elvin Kopp the semi finals, top 45, Saturday, clean slate.
Double Lift Finals all four judges, clean slate.
Premiums

Open Premiums 2003 - $ 26,800.00. $9,400 to the first go-round, $5,400 to seconded go-round $12,000 to top 20.  Nursery Premiums - 2003 - total of $9,000.00 to top 20, combined scores.   ABCA will award the first go-round of Nursery.

ABCA
membership

Must be a 2003 member of American Border Collie Association to compete in the National Finals.  You may check with Patty Roger  601-928-7551 or email American Border Collie Assoc. abca@datasync.com.  ABCA is a major sponsor of The National Finals.

Eye Clinic ABCA sponsored Eye Clinic. Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17. Dr. Gregory M. Acland, DACVO.  Dogs entered in the Nursery or Open Trials take precedence over other dogs, but all are welcome. Litters and puppies are encouraged.  Schedule a morning or afternoon on either day (any time).  Charge:$15.00/dog.  Proceeds will contribute to Dr. Acland's CEA research project after expenses are paid.  Eye exams:  All dogs must be examined by a certified Diplomat of the College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists  (DACVO) before participating in a Finals Trial or at the eye clinic during the Finals.  The certificate that is issued will be good for 25 months from the date of the examination.  The permission slip signed by the competitor to allow information on CEA & PRA to be sent to the USBCHA secretary will suffice for 25months. 
Contact person is Amy Coapman,  #530-436-2443   
acoapman@california.ihs.gov
Meetings USBCHA Annual Membership meeting & banquet Thursday, Sept. 18th,  Veteran Administration Medical Center, Recreation Hall, 113  Comanche Rd., Ft. Meade, SD   57741.    Board of Directors meeting Wednesday Sept. 17th.
Vendor Applications Jo Woodbury , email <joleo@vcn.com> or 307-684-0219.  Jo is chairperson of the local committee.
RV Parking Ross Lamphere's RV park is the official "host" RV Park.  They  also have cabins.  Lamphere’s RV park, which is quite large with big shade trees and full hookups and about a mile from the Finals field, will also host one of the practice fields There is a hard surface parking area for campers at the trial site, but in case of emergency will need to move when wet/raining, RV Camp Grounds are very close to trial site.. RVs can move to the trial field on Friday, September 12.   Find RV parking at http://www.sturgissheepdogfinals.com/.
Practice Field

Ross Lamphere will host a practice field, times will be available beginning September 9.  It will be 10 minutes for $20. To schedule an appointment time, contact Heidi at 605-865-3392 (MDT). The sheep will be two-year-old crossbred Cheviot wool ewes. Handlers are welcome to park (and pay) at Ross's park throughout the Finals or until RVs can move to the trial field on Friday, September 12. To schedule an appointment time, contact Heidi at 605-865-3392 until September 5th and at her cell phone 605-530-2486 after September 5th until the end of the trial (MDT).

Practice Field Dan and Berget Perkins, 605-456-1436.  Sheep: Rambouilet/columbia crosses.  Practice of 15 min/$15.  Will begin September 8  Hours:  flexible.  Field: about a 350 yard outrun available; a nice wide field.
Directions:
We are 21 miles from the finals site. Take 34 east a couple of miles to the junction of 79. Turn north and go until you reach the turn off to Vale. Turn east toward Vale and continue through the town and on by until the pavement ends. Then turn left or south. We are one half mile south on the left hand or east side of the road. Look for large windbreak and white house near the road. It is  6 miles from Highway 79.
Joint Trial Committee  USBCHA/ABCA Trial Committee:  Bud Boudreau, Chairperson, Leo Woodbury, Jim Swift, Joni Swanke, Gary Westbrook, Pete Carmichael, Scott Glen, Dan Gill, Gene Litton,
Motels Philtown Best Western #605-347-3604, Super 8 #605-347-4447. 
Airport/Airlines You will need to fly in Rapid Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD (605) 394-4195.  The airport if about 35 miles east of Sturgis.  Northwest Airlines, 800-225-2525 non-stop service to/from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.  United Express/Sky West:  800-241-6522  Non stop service to/from Denver, Co.  Sky West Delta Connection Delta:  800-221-1212, non stop service to/from Salt Lake City, Ut.