| 5th Annual Plumb Lucky Mule Sheep Dog Trials April 14th - April 18th - 2010 |
| Jenny Glen keeping an eye on the action, while Tricia MacRae, Kathy Knox & Stephanie Goracke relax. |
| Alasdair MacRae playing around with Mike Goracke as Marianna Schreeder looks on. Nancy Schreeder appears deep in thought!! |
| The Hickenbottoms & The Schragels |
| Action From The Field |
Spring is here, as are the Plumb Lucky Mule Sheep Dog Trials in Leeton, MO.
Wednesday April 14th, people started rolling into the pasture from twelve states
and Canada to stake claim to their campsite for the next few days. The weather
forecast is very appealing, considering that a week earlier, rain was in the
forecast for the three of the four trial days. Thursday was beautiful and the high
reached about 77F with a handful of clouds in the air. There was a hint of
excitement as the trials got underway. The Nursery started its first of four trials
at 2PM with 22 dogs waiting their turn at the sheep. Gary Westbrook was the
presiding judge for Nursery I; he took control of the field and off they were. John
Wentz and Robin Reasoner led the set out team for the field. The Nursery
course was set and the terrain was rolling. The layout of the course to a novice
handler appeared simple, but the experienced trialer knows it’s never that easy.
The course was set on across a field with a hill and a valley providing a
challenge to the young dogs as handlers had to decide to send their dogs come
bye or away. Each route presented its own challenge as their were added
pressures from the field to keep it interesting. Alasdair MacRae and Coll jumped
in the lead to take the top spot, and Lyle East with Bee, and Lyle Lad with Nick
finished close behind.
Wednesday April 14th, people started rolling into the pasture from twelve states
and Canada to stake claim to their campsite for the next few days. The weather
forecast is very appealing, considering that a week earlier, rain was in the
forecast for the three of the four trial days. Thursday was beautiful and the high
reached about 77F with a handful of clouds in the air. There was a hint of
excitement as the trials got underway. The Nursery started its first of four trials
at 2PM with 22 dogs waiting their turn at the sheep. Gary Westbrook was the
presiding judge for Nursery I; he took control of the field and off they were. John
Wentz and Robin Reasoner led the set out team for the field. The Nursery
course was set and the terrain was rolling. The layout of the course to a novice
handler appeared simple, but the experienced trialer knows it’s never that easy.
The course was set on across a field with a hill and a valley providing a
challenge to the young dogs as handlers had to decide to send their dogs come
bye or away. Each route presented its own challenge as their were added
pressures from the field to keep it interesting. Alasdair MacRae and Coll jumped
in the lead to take the top spot, and Lyle East with Bee, and Lyle Lad with Nick
finished close behind.
| Open I started about 2:45PM Thursday, with Bob Washer taking the gavel as the judge; twenty (20) dogs started Open I on Thursday, with the remainder of the class to follow on Friday. As always, you have to have a dependable team to push sheep and set out. This team was led by Lyle East on horse back, and Johnny Fleming and Vic providing the backbone in the pen. Friday morning came early and the sunrise was beautiful, but clouds blew in shortly after the start cannon, and really cooled things down. The day started with the continuation of Open at 7AM. The wind shifted around from the North, providing a couple of short showers in the morning, as the weather remained cool thru the day. This course presented a challenge for the handlers in some instances, as the sheep were set north of the post, and the fetch was directly into the wind. The border collies and handlers battled as the sheep fought like super bowl champions that came to win as well. The sheep tried the dogs on every occasion. Seventy-five (75) dogs made it to the post in Open I. A modification was made to the course, and then the first twenty (20) dogs of Open II started late afternoon, with the last dog to finish about 7:00PM. |
| On the Nursery field for Nursery II, Gary Westbrook again took control about 8 o’clock, and everything went smoothly. Twenty-five (25) dogs went to the post to take their turn at the sheep. The course didn't prove to be as challenging as the sheep. |
Saturday was a new day; the temperature had cooled as the day started about
35F. The forecast called for sunshine and we knew we were in for a great day.
The weather warmed as the day got longer, and reached about 65F by early
afternoon. Saturday again started with Open II about 7AM with 55 dogs
remaining to complete Open II. The sheep were not going to be easy,
challenging all and respecting no one. There were several great runs
throughout the day, with Ron Burkey and Hank laying it down.
Over on the Nursery field, Nursery 3 got underway about 7:35AM with Kevin
Taylor as the judge for the field. Twenty-six (26) dogs made their trip to the
post in Nursery. It was followed by Open Ranch with twenty-five (25) dogs ,
Ranch with twenty-nine (29) dogs, and Novice with five (5) dogs. In Open
Ranch, the dogs and handlers were familiar with the course, but the sheep
added to the challenge to mix things up. The course was modified for the
Ranch class, as well as for the Novice class.
35F. The forecast called for sunshine and we knew we were in for a great day.
The weather warmed as the day got longer, and reached about 65F by early
afternoon. Saturday again started with Open II about 7AM with 55 dogs
remaining to complete Open II. The sheep were not going to be easy,
challenging all and respecting no one. There were several great runs
throughout the day, with Ron Burkey and Hank laying it down.
Over on the Nursery field, Nursery 3 got underway about 7:35AM with Kevin
Taylor as the judge for the field. Twenty-six (26) dogs made their trip to the
post in Nursery. It was followed by Open Ranch with twenty-five (25) dogs ,
Ranch with twenty-nine (29) dogs, and Novice with five (5) dogs. In Open
Ranch, the dogs and handlers were familiar with the course, but the sheep
added to the challenge to mix things up. The course was modified for the
Ranch class, as well as for the Novice class.
The day of trialing concluded, and we were off to the handlers’ dinner. As always, Kelly Fleming and her mother, June Kuhlman, spent hours preparing food and
drink for judges, scribes and contestants. Thad’s sister Angie Blackington was in from Boston to lend a hand and join the festivities. Bill Sharp’s BarBQ
provided the meat for the Saturday night dinner: ribs, beef, ham & turkey. Kelly and June provided all the extras to accompany with corn, potatoes, green beans
and rolls, as well as apple, cherry and pecan pies, and cheesecake! What a smorgasbord of food. After dinner, Deb Cleveland and Kelly handed out awards
(mule shoes) for the trials that had concluded. There were some lucky winners of a complete set, that also came with a mule!
drink for judges, scribes and contestants. Thad’s sister Angie Blackington was in from Boston to lend a hand and join the festivities. Bill Sharp’s BarBQ
provided the meat for the Saturday night dinner: ribs, beef, ham & turkey. Kelly and June provided all the extras to accompany with corn, potatoes, green beans
and rolls, as well as apple, cherry and pecan pies, and cheesecake! What a smorgasbord of food. After dinner, Deb Cleveland and Kelly handed out awards
(mule shoes) for the trials that had concluded. There were some lucky winners of a complete set, that also came with a mule!
As the day got longer, things slowed a little. The sun was nice, and the light
breeze has gentled. On the Open field, Open 3 started about 5:15PM after a
course modification. After the first couple of runs ended in defeat, Jenny Glen
stepped to the post with Lad, and set the bar. Kathy Knox and Sal jumped up
behind Jenny, and set the bar higher yet by laying down a great run giving the
breeze has gentled. On the Open field, Open 3 started about 5:15PM after a
course modification. After the first couple of runs ended in defeat, Jenny Glen
stepped to the post with Lad, and set the bar. Kathy Knox and Sal jumped up
behind Jenny, and set the bar higher yet by laying down a great run giving the
remaining contestants something to shoot for. Five runs later, Alasdair MacRae and Nap are the first to answer the challenge with a score of 94. There were
some great runs to finish the day.
some great runs to finish the day.
Open III continued bright and early on Sunday morning at 7AM with Marianna Schreeder and Penny the first to the post. They
teamed for a marvelous run for a fabulous start to the last day of the trial. The weather was cool to start, with some clouds in
the air, but it was a fantastic day. The sheep were tough, experienced and determined as the day went on, and challenged
everyone equally. There were some great runs throughout the day, as well as some defeats. There were seventy (70) dogs
that made it to the post on Sunday. Alasdair and Star won the overall Open Champion with a 270 for the trial.
On Sunday on the other field, Nursery IV was underway about 7:35AM and there were twenty-four (24) dogs that walked to the
post. Again, the course was challenging, and the sheep gained confidence overnight. Open Ranch was exciting, and ended
with a three way tie. Alasdair MacRae with Coll, Linda Meyer with Faith, and Don Russell with Molly finished the course with an
eighty-two (82) and competed in a runoff, with Alasdair and Coll finishing with the top spot under pressure.
teamed for a marvelous run for a fabulous start to the last day of the trial. The weather was cool to start, with some clouds in
the air, but it was a fantastic day. The sheep were tough, experienced and determined as the day went on, and challenged
everyone equally. There were some great runs throughout the day, as well as some defeats. There were seventy (70) dogs
that made it to the post on Sunday. Alasdair and Star won the overall Open Champion with a 270 for the trial.
On Sunday on the other field, Nursery IV was underway about 7:35AM and there were twenty-four (24) dogs that walked to the
post. Again, the course was challenging, and the sheep gained confidence overnight. Open Ranch was exciting, and ended
with a three way tie. Alasdair MacRae with Coll, Linda Meyer with Faith, and Don Russell with Molly finished the course with an
eighty-two (82) and competed in a runoff, with Alasdair and Coll finishing with the top spot under pressure.
| Lexi looks on, trembling with excitement, hoping for a turn. |
So ends the 5th Annual Plumb Lucky Mule Sheep Dog Trials. All in all, four hundred twenty-
three (423) dogs made it to the post over the four days. There were many volunteers that
helped in numerous ways, from scribing, to running and various chores, including pre-trial
preparation of course layout, working sheep through foot baths, trimming feet, and all. Kelly,
Wyatt and Whitney Fleming spent many hours doing extra chores to get the sheep in shape for
the trials. Mike Goracke and Sam Smith went above and beyond to answer Thad’s call for help
pre-trial as well. It would not have been possible without all of the help from various hands that
came together from the numerous volunteers: Scribes: Cathy Scott, Mickey Welch, Sam
Smith, Sharon Hickenbottom, Peg Anderson, Debbie George, Kathy Farkos, Caryn Miller,
Renee Newcomb, Heather, Susan Abrams, Millie Curtis, Jeanne Irvin, Leigh Anne Tucker, Linda
Meyer, Terry Wright, Anne Wheatley. Set Out Crews: John Wentz, Robin Reasoner, Wyatt
Fleming, Paul Tucker, Bob Johnson, Lyle East, Vic, Thad Fleming, Debbie George. Trial
Secretary: Deb Cleveland
three (423) dogs made it to the post over the four days. There were many volunteers that
helped in numerous ways, from scribing, to running and various chores, including pre-trial
preparation of course layout, working sheep through foot baths, trimming feet, and all. Kelly,
Wyatt and Whitney Fleming spent many hours doing extra chores to get the sheep in shape for
the trials. Mike Goracke and Sam Smith went above and beyond to answer Thad’s call for help
pre-trial as well. It would not have been possible without all of the help from various hands that
came together from the numerous volunteers: Scribes: Cathy Scott, Mickey Welch, Sam
Smith, Sharon Hickenbottom, Peg Anderson, Debbie George, Kathy Farkos, Caryn Miller,
Renee Newcomb, Heather, Susan Abrams, Millie Curtis, Jeanne Irvin, Leigh Anne Tucker, Linda
Meyer, Terry Wright, Anne Wheatley. Set Out Crews: John Wentz, Robin Reasoner, Wyatt
Fleming, Paul Tucker, Bob Johnson, Lyle East, Vic, Thad Fleming, Debbie George. Trial
Secretary: Deb Cleveland
| Bob Washer uses his calculator for deductions |