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USBCHA 2003 NATIONAL CATTLEDOG FINALS April 10-13, 2003 Red Bluff, CA
Although it is much easier to be critical than to be correct the
work of some handlers and their dogs preformed close to perfection. Pete
Carmichael left home knowing that he ran Hooker first in the Open class.
This team completed a magnificent run and their score and time were tops for
the first Open round. Haley Howard/Cap won the second Open round and
received the Butler-Miller Trophy as the High Qualifying Open team. In
search for perfection, Haley and Cap fetched or drove all cattle through all
gates, chutes, and penned without losing a point. Cap never touched a
heifer. On one occasion, in the final double lift, one heifer moved to a
corner and when asked, Cap walked up strong to her shoulder and the heifer
graciously rejoined the five. Each of their runs just flowed around the
course. Haley and Cap were presented the Championship Heritage Farm
Trophy. If not for one heifer missing one gate Jimmy Walker/Rudy, Don
Moore/Trigger, and Loren Holmes/Puzzle would have been ahead of Haley
Howard/Cap. Jimmy Walker and Rudy were the Reserve Open Team and were third
in Nursery. Haley Howard/Bill were the last team to work. Just after Bill
was sent to gather the cattle, pea sized hail was added to the driving
rain. Immediately following the final run the clouds parted, the sun shown
for a few seconds, and a double rainbow formed over the trial field.
Eighteen of the Open dogs were successful when asked to do the look back for
the second group of heifers. The look back command was given before the dog
reached the fetch gates. Entries in the Nursery class were at a record
number and the competition was keen. Jimmy Walker/Rudy won the first
round. Merle Newton/Pearl were the only team to work all heifers through
the gates in the second round. Merle/Pearl were the high qualifying team
and received the Canady and USBCHA trophies for winning the Nursery
competition. Scott Mayfield/Duke also had earned full points but required
more time to complete the course. This was Scott's first time to enter and
competed with the first dog he trained. Beginner's luck? No! Jimmy
Walker/Rudy finished third and they were also the Reserve Open team.
Knowledgeable spectators proclaimed the trial course was, "Very
Demanding". H. P. Roller, Daleville, AL. received the $200.00 bonus for
the handler traveling the greatest distance. Most of the dogs were Border
Collies but one Aussie, several Kelpies, and perhaps one Kelpie X BC
competed. Ambrose McAuliffe furnished the 625-650 weight British and
Continental cross heifers. He used a lead steer tied to the back of a six
wheeler to move the cattle into the holding pens. What a performance.
Riders mounted on horses spotted and exhausted the cattle. These riders
were superb. Weather was nice for the first Open and Nursery runs and rain
started late Friday during the second Open round and continued through the
remainder of the trial. A patriotic program was presented on Sunday morning
before the Nursery finals began. Sandi and Merle Newton, trial hosts,
masterfully organized their friends, stockdog enthusiasts, the agriculture
community, a local high school, and businesses into a seamless support
team. A banner proclaiming the finals hung above Red Bluff's main street.
At the trial site flowers, shrubs, streamers, a ranch sign, decorations,
building housing cooking facilities, tables, chairs, a large tent, and
adequate restrooms welcomed handlers, family, and spectators. Ample space
for spectators was available on a bluff overlooking the trial field and
cattle holding pens. There was shade when the sun shown and space heaters
when the temperature dictated, and shelter when it rained. Gourmet coffee,
cappuccino, latte, smoothies, and other food items were available for
purchase. Based on number of plates sold the most popular meal available
for handlers, spectators, and friends was the pit-cooked pig that was
stuffed with turkey. Loren Holmes and associates dug the pit and cooked the
pig/turkey for about 26 hours. Loren donated the evening meal and the
proceeds went to the local 4-H Club. Thanks Loren. Once again, Francis,
Barbra, and Tolli worked their magic on another successful National Finals.
After competing in all three of the National Cowdog Finals several handlers
have said that, "Each trial has been fun, competitive, positive, rewarding
and you are treated like a friend." Leroy Boyd |
