The Annual Metchosin Sheepdog Trial

Organized by Martha McHardy and Ruedi Birenheide

Record Attendances mark the 18th Annual Metchosin Sheepdog Trial, July 30-August 1

Perfect weather conditions graced the 18th Annual Metchosin Sheepdog Trial; much appreciated by sheep, dogs and spectators in attendance at the spectacular panoramic trial field, at Glengarry Farm in Metchosin. Generously made available by property owners, Doug and Greta Ruth, the beautiful field, overlooking beach, ocean, and mountains, has been synonymous with the event for the past 18 years. With its views of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, bordered by an old stand of Douglas Fir and Garry Oak, it is hard to imagine a prettier location for a sheep dog trial. Add one of the most renowned sheep flocks of the Pacific North West- the Parry Bay Flock, owned by John and Lorraine Buchanan, and an internationally renowned judge - Mr. Cyril Roberts, of North Wales -  and you have all the ingredients for a top flight sheep dog trial! The record turnout of spectators were treated to some excellent competition as working Border Collies from western Canada and USA showcased their skills at guiding sheep around the technically challenging course that demanded great precision and timing from both dog and handler.

This years’ judge, Mr. Cyril Roberts, of Powys, North Wales; a seasoned shepherd, National team handler, and international judge; was here on his inaugural visit to Canada. He had seen some Canadian-bred Border Collies and their handlers, competing in Washington state trials he had judged in 2009, and so he was looking forward to presiding over his first Canadian sheepdog trial and meeting more of the Canadian contingent, with their reputation for breeding strong, capable dogs. He was not to be disappointed with the caliber of dogs he had the opportunity to observe while here, and took favorable impressions back ‘home across the water’ to his native UK- ancestral home of working Border Collies everywhere.  He enjoyed a few days sightseeing around the Victoria and Duncan area during his week on Vancouver Island, as well as a days’ visit with the Parry Bay Flock and their owners, John and Lorraine Buchanan.

As in previous years, the Novice-Novice Class was held on Friday; hosted by Collie Acres Farm in Saanich, owned by Brian Epp and Celeste LaCroix, both members of the trial committee and avid handlers themselves.

Some very promising dogs and handlers in the Novice/Novice class were cross-entered in the following days’ Pro Novice classes, giving ample indication of their competitive intentions and potential to become serious threats in future trials. The mid-island handlers of Cobble Hill, Duncan, Chemainus and Campbell River dominated the class of 12 dogs, with John Hellemond and “Annie” taking first overall honors, while Doe Shires with “Hawk” followed closely behind by one point, thus earning the Reserve place. Julie Carter, of Saanich, handling “Mirk” owned by Rachel Mirel, won third overall, and Judy Snell of Cobble Hill with “Betty” claimed the fourth place standings. There was one USBCHA Nursery class held on the ProNovice course on Saturday, which was won by Ian Ripley, with his little imported bitch, JoJo.

Two litter sisters took top overall honors in the ProNovice class. “Tessa” owned by Patricia Pedersen, from ‘across the Strait’ on the Olympic Peninsula, was the ProNovice overall Champion, after a lovely smooth run on Sunday that garnered the highest score of the weekend. Tessa’s sister “Tee” owned by Julie Carter of Saanich, was hot on her heels in the second overall spot. Both are granddaughters of the Buchanan’s well-known Border Collie sire, “Shane” - and a fitting tribute to him and the flock he helped manage over his lifetime. Two Duncan handlers took the next overall spots: Ian Ripley and “JoJo” in third, and Linda Larsson with “Bella” came out with the fourth overall spot. Fifth overall was local Metchosin handler Aileen McConnell, and her young male dog “Chance”. With a large class of over 30 entries, the class offered some stiff competition from both seasoned and relatively new handlers alike.

It was destined to be Patricia Pedersen’s weekend, as she was also the overall Open Champion with her bitch “Jenny”; a daughter off her old retired trial dog, “Roy”, who graced the same field with his presence on many occasions over his career. Jenny’s grandmother also traced her roots to Metchosin through Martha McHardy’s old “Tee” ; a half sister to the Buchanan’s ‘Shane’. Ruedi Birenheide of Duncan and “Teak” were well positioned after winning the first days’ Open class, and intent on making a strong claim for the overall prize, until gambling on a risky shed at the end of their second run resulted in an uncharacteristic disqualification and put them out of the running. The two original organizers of the trial, Martha McHardy and Aileen McConnell, each put a dog into the top overall Open standings. Martha’s tremendous bitch “Ceri” held on to her second place winnings from the first day, to also take second spot overall, and Aileen’s “Peg” earned the third overall accolades in a strong Open class of 25 teams. US handler Donna Donahue of Washington with “Kate” took the fourth overall ribbon, as well as the trophy for the Best Combined Outfield Work in the Open class, while Californian handler Marilyn Bates with her veteran dog “Rob” won the fifth place ribbon as well as the trophy for “High Scoring Senior Dog, aged 9 years and over”, donated by MarCar Border Collies in memory of the lines’ foundation sire, “Vic”.

The Metchosin Community Association ran a well supported concession, with profits re-invested in the support of ‘Metchosin House’ programs.  As always, the ongoing success and continuation of this well regarded trial is due in large measure to the support it receives from the community, the handlers, local businesses, and great volunteers, in addition to the hard working trial committee.

Once again, a memorable and very successful sheepdog trial showcased the superb talents of some of the best working sheepdogs and handlers from the west coast of Canada and USA.

Results

PDF file with complete results

Photographs

NB: Photographs from our photographer and competitor Jeff Marroni are now available at:  http://www.marroniphotography.com/ (click on “Gallery” and “Metchosin 09″)
The gallery will be updated as time permits.
NoviceNovice winner’s gallery is below (scroll down this page.)

For Results click on “Results” -> “2009″ in the menu tabs above.

Highlights of the 17th Annual Metchosin Sheepdog Trial

With strong, unrelenting winds whipping the Parry Bay coastline on the Saturday, everyone braced themselves, and rose to the occasion, despite occasional interludes in the action, to right the temporary fencing along one side of the course! Still, dogs and handlers managed some stellar runs with the slightly spooked sheep, who were challenging to settle and guide in the gusty conditions. Sunday dawned clear and still- almost perfect conditions as if to make up for the previous day, and all the players benefited- as well as the supportive spectators. Once again, the spectacular setting of the panoramic trial field, overlooking the Straits of Juan de Fuca - impressed handlers, spectators and judge with its unparalleled natural beauty. Added to this was the high caliber of working collies and their handlers, tested by one of the most renowned sheep flocks of the Pacific North West- the Parry Bay Flock, owned by John and Lorraine Buchanan.

This years’ judge, Mr David Rees joined us from Brynaman, South Wales. Not only was David impressed with the caliber of sheep and Border Collies he saw, on this, his first visit to Vancouver Island, he was equally impressed by the natural beauty of the area, declaring it to be surely one of Canada’s best kept secrets!   He enjoyed his time visiting the Buchanan’s, and trading ’shepherding  talk” and flock management comparisons between the two countries. He was also able to take a daytrip to the Comox Valley to meet and visit with retired BC handler,  Mr. John Wickson and his wife: one of the founding breeders and handlers of working Border Collies in western Canada.

As in previous years, the main portion of the trial was held on the picturesque field of Glengarry Farm, overlooking Taylor Beach; generously made available for the event, by property owners Doug and Greta Ruth. The Novice-Novice Class was hosted by Collie Acres Farm in Saanich, owned by Brian Epp and Celeste LaCroix,; key members of the trial committee.

With the largest Novice entry in the trial’s history, the growing interest of new handlers taking up the sport is an encouraging sign. Julie Carter, of Saanich, took first place each day with two different dogs, “Drift” and “Woody”; but consistency paid off for Ian Ripley of Duncan, with his young imported bitch, “JoJo”: taking first overall; followed by Julie and “Drift”, and Michele Masselink and” Dew” in third, and another Duncan handler, Linda Larsson, with “Bella: taking fourth overall.

Two Island handlers qualified their young dogs for the USBCHA National Nursery Finals for their first time: Brian Epp with “Dharma”; and Julie Carter with “Tee”. Jorgen Persson of Oregon was the other qualified team from the weekend, with “Merckx”

Two litter sisters took top overall honors in the ProNovice class - “Teak” owned by Ruedi Birenheide prevailing for the first overall, followed by “Maggie” owned by Celeste Lacroix in Resrve.  Both handlers placed second dogs in the ribbons, with Rudi’s “Scot” in the 3rd spot, and Celeste’s “Silas” in 5th.Jeff Marroni of Olympia Wash., was fourth overall with his young bitch “Carmen” - a daughter of the overall Open Champion.

No stranger to first place accolades in the Open Class, was Bill Berhow of Zamorra, California and his great dog “Pete”, who together, have won the Metchosin Sheepdog Trial more times than any other handler/dog team. Not only a renowned handler, Bill is a noted clinician and judge, and veteran of the sport in North America. This year, as in others, he also spent several days in Metchosin, teaching and coaching handlers while sharing his considerable experience and knowledge. Two veteran British Columbia handlers, Brian Nelson and “Pleat”; and Martha McHardy and “Ceri” took the 2nd and 3rd overall placings respectively. Both Brian and Martha bred and trained their two dogs, and both will be strong representatives at the upcoming CBCA National Sheepdog Trials, and then again at the USBCHA National Finals in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

The Metchosin Community Association ran a well supported concession, with profits re-invested in the support of ‘Metchosin House’ programs.  As always, the ongoing success and continuation of this well regarded trial is due in large measure to the support it receives from the community, the handlers, local businesses, and volunteers, in addition to the hard working trial committee.

Once again, a memorable and very successful sheepdog trial showcased the superb talents of some of the best working sheepdogs and handlers from the west coast of Canada and USA. Detailed results and photos can be viewed on the trial website at http://msdt.ca

Martha J McHardy

The first photographs from our photographer and competitor Jeff Marroni are now available at:  http://www.marroniphotography.com/ (click on “Gallery” and “Metchosin 09″)
The gallery will be updated as time permits.

Slideshow of the Novice Novice Trial

Judge of 2009 MSDT - David Rees of “Rhosfar Border Collies” Brynaman, South Wales, UK.

David was born in the industrial heart of Wales; surrounded by sheep and the world of shepherding, and has been immersed in the heart of sheepdog trials and its rich history of prominent dogs and handlers in Britain, as well as other parts of the world for all of his life.  As a young man, he worked as a hill shepherd, in the mountainous ‘Brecon Beacons’, managing three thousand ewes and one hundred fifty Welsh Mountain ponies.

He considers himself fortunate to have known many of the great handlers and breeders who have shaped the Border Collie breed, as well as many of older knowledgeable shepherds, that shared their craft and skills with him. He knew Jock Richardson when he was in his prime with the famous Cap - of which David says “he was so knowledgeable and skillful that I doubt if we see his like again, and Cap was certainly every bit as good a dog as people say” . He has remained friends with the esteemed Barbara Carpenter, of the famous “Brocken lines” and when she heard that David was to come to Vancouver Island, she is sending along her special regards, as she knew long-time Vancouver Island handler, John Wickson, during his education in Britain, while he was her neighbor for a time!

Over the years, David worked, competed and trained many dogs under his “Rhosfa” Border Collie prefix, and exported many of them to trial handlers in North America and the Continent. He continues to be in demand for arranging custom sales of dogs around the world, as well as starting young dogs, coaching trial handlers, and judging. He has written extensively over his lifetime, as a featured columnist in sheepdog journals in both the UK and the USA, and is a published author of historical fiction as well. We look forward with great anticipation to David joining us for the 17th Annual 2009 Metchosin Sheepdog Trial.