Handhills Border Collie News

2009 Bluegrass Classic

The Bluegrass is officially finished, and the winner is Alasdair MacRae and Star. Someone had insight when they named that little dog, now didn't they?

We had a great time at the Bluegrass..... Except for that little problem of not winning. Norman seems to have accepted the fact that he did not win, but I am still in shock and disbelief that I did not win, or at least place in the top two. I was fine being second, but 6oth that's ridiculous! They say to achieve you must believe, to which I ask, then what? There I was, soaking my little dog in the tub, saying "I believed, I believed"..............

The first day top handlers were dropping like flies, people that have "Been There, Won That" were really struggling. Fifty five percent of the runs retired or disqualified. Norman ran his Gwen early the first day, and it was difficult at best. The sheep were a quadrillion yards away (unofficially) and they were three wild, little things that would run in at least two directions. There was no helping your dog at the top. Other than a "steady," your dog was on his own. Norm learned that the hard way. When he quit whistling, Gwen brought them, and he got around and got a score. I ran later in the day, when it was nice and hot. I watched dog after dog lose their sheep, and have to retire. I looked at my little Gale and she was licking her lips. She could see the sheep, the set before hers, jump back into the set-out pen. She looked worried. I was worried, she had never run out that far. I gave her a hug, and out on the field we went. She made it out and brought me sheep, I got around and got a shed, with no time to spare. She was tired, she had to fight the entire time. I was thrilled with her both days.

Norm got around with Lass the second run, and it seems fitting that she would be on the front page of the paper. Unless you live with Lass, you can't really know her. She is like a beautiful, witty, independent, little actress, that you can't help but love. The title of the paper should have been, "Testing Norm, Instinct and Skill." She would push hard for the panels and then lay down as if to say, "I know, I know, I got it!" We had to laugh at her, she is supposed to be getting more biddable at 10.

Gwen had a really nice second run. She had a beautiful outrun and lift. She looked good. More like the dog we see at home. It put Norm on the board and he ended up 12th.

My pirate was a little super star, we had a nice run in the ranch. My goal was to keep her calm and steady, have nice lines and make all the panels, and we achieved that. I had the pen gate open when I timed out and I didn't get my drive points, but it was worth it. We were working together, she is becoming my partner. I gave Norman a big hug for my new little dog......

I learned so much at the Bluegrass about sheep, and dogs, and handling, and whistling, but I guess the thing that became the most clear to me is this: the real trial is won, not on the field, but rather under the tent, when true champions like Tommy Wilson and others, willingly share their knowledge, act with integrity, have good things to say about people and their dogs, and win and lose graciously.............