• USBCHA Finals 2008 at Sturgis, SD:  Rye was 15th in the qualifying round.  Unfortunately, we were called of for a grip in the SemiFinals.  High winds (up to 45 mph) aggravated the sheep and made scores difficult to obtain. 

Jed, with very little trial experience under his belt, ran in the Nurseries.  The sheep were very tough for the youngsters.  Jed put down a good run in the first round and I was proud of how he handled very challenging sheep.  We were the last run in the 2nd round.  He wasn't listening so well so I decided to retire.  It was clear that Suzy Applegate and her fabulous Buzz were our Nursery Champions.  I am thrilled for them.  Jed and I will go back home and get more miles under his feet.

 

• Meeker Classic 2008:  Rye and I won the 1st round at Meeker (out of 118 competitors), 7th in the SemiFinal and 9th in the Double Lift Final.  This was Rye's 3 time to the Final round at Meeker...I think he must like the sheep!

• Western States Regional Championship 2008 in Pendleton, OR:  Wow!  The sheep had to have been the most difficult we've seen.  Rye and I worked hard and won the 1st round.  We ended up 3rd in the Double Lift Final after 1st place Karen Child and Jim and 2nd place Patrick Shannahan and Riggs. 

• Colliding Rivers SDT:  This was the first year trial at a beautiful venue, Seven Springs Ranch, the location of the 2006 Western States Regional Championship.  Rye and I won the 1st round and ended up 6th in the Double Lift Finals.

• Tough Enough to Wear Pink Cattle Trial, Montague, CA:  Jed had his debut competing in Nursery on cattle against a cast of talented Nursery dogs.  In the first round, Jed was a little out of control and I was "a bit" flustered but he showed alot of guts.  The second day, we were both a bit more collected and Jed motored the cattle around the course nicely.  I only got a little frazzled toward the end.