2017 at a glance

    Dry Lake SDT 2013.  It was a quick trip up to Tule Lake and back.  It was great to run 3 dogs in PN in the Wheel-of-Fortune of weather.
     The field is scopey.  The yearling range ewes are solid, good, and challenging.  I was excited to see where we were compared to a year ago.  This was the first big trial we had ever entered.
     Visually, the field seemed smaller than last year.  I think that may be a result of the fact that my perception is expanding.




     Ben had a family reunion.  Five Peg x Riggs brothers were all entered in the trial, either at Open or PN levels.  Ben wasn't voted Most Talented or Best Looking.... but regardless he is my favorite!

     Tic ran early in quite a gael.   It was a solid run for us overall.  It took me awhile to team up with him via whistles.  Narrow outrun, and drifted offline a bit on fetch.  There was a lot of tension in the tight post/judge table-pop up turn (one pop up nearly blew over as we made the turn). Drive away we had a hogget decide to think independently at a dead run toward exhaust.  Tic outran her about 50 yards out, turned without contact and brought back to other 3 perfectly.  He put packet back together and continued on drive away.  Missed panel mildly and did tidy straight drive away through panels.  Happily!!! Tic brought nice happy sheep to the mouth of the pen where we timed out.  Some very good stuff.

     Ben.  I debated whether to send right or left.  Left had less pressure, but would be harder to cover the strong draw to exhaust.  I sent him right to cover the draw, but he stopped twice on outrun with pressure sensitivity issues.  He brought sheep.... off line.... and around post, not too tidy.  Drive away to panels and then the sheep stepped into cement and would not move!!!  Flanking and releasing pressure.  Even tried to push them to exhaust.... and they were stuck.  THANK YOU Ben for playing try again some other time.

     Val on the other hand was quite nice.  Outran just like she meant business.  A little flat and narrow at top.  Not pouty.... more pressure sensitive.  Slowly covered her sheep directly from behind and had a nice comfortable lift.  Sheep drifted off line toward exhaust until halfway were we got things back on track.  Nicely around post.... little bobble on drive away to just miss panels.  We turned a little wide, but I appreciated her covering the draw back to the set out as she proceeded on the cross drive... a tad deep, but back through the panels.  Calmly and nicely she presented her hoggets to the open pen mouth just as time expired.  Overall a triumphant run for the little girl, showing some pretty nice talent.

     Ben's brothers Jake and Moss both had nice runs.  Jake scoring second overall.  Really classy dog, has a nice balance of talents.  I look forward to watching his open career with Jody at the helm!