Don’t hold your breath – I did very poorly, but will give you the post mortem nonetheless…
On Thursday, it rained. But a bit less. Tap and I ran 3rd. I was terrified…And as a result, ran my dog like a beginner. In hindsight, I know how I would have handled her to get a decent fetch and drive score (missed both the fetch and the drive away gates and was hammered for it). Running later would have helped, as I could really get a feel for the sheep and how to handle the top as I watched several runs. I wanted the wild mountain sheep, didn’t I? Well, I wasn’t expecting them to be as light as birds. Tap couldn’t touch them and reacted by running fast and wide, which upset them more. The best dogs had them walking like docile pet lambs around the course. Maybe we had a bad draw, but more likely it was just bad handling and Tap not knowing how to fix it.
Tap’s outrun was ok, and we got a decent shed (only 5 points off out of 20, which was good as far as the North Americans or Europeans went – we just can’t shed like the Handlers from the UK, who get it done quickly, effortlessly and smoothly). I also had not a bad pen, even with a bad ewe trying to break; Tap was a good girl there. Alas time was called just as I called her in for the single so we didn’t get the points. I have the run on video. I will not be posting it!
Tap on her outrun to the right. Me looking very small on the stand. Can you see my knees knocking together? Well, they were.
Thursday Qualifying Results – points out of 220:
Top 7 who proceed to the Semi’s (in order of placement):
Field 1:
Ged Watson and Eryi Rock (England) – 204
Alasdair MacRae and Nap (USA) – 190
M. Lebang and Coon (Germany) – 189*
Tom Wilson and Sly (USA) – 189*
Mr. GR Powell and Gwen (Wales) – 187
Mr. WI McConnell and Craig (Dan) (Scotland) – 186
Ron Snoeck and Nell (Netherlands) - 186
* Not sure who had better outwork, so these scores may be reversed.
Field 2:
S Gallagher and Glen (Ireland) – 207
AD Carnegie and Lark (Scotland) – 206
M C Shearer and Cap (Scotland) – 205
Karin Mattsson and Sammie (Norway) – 200
Ll Evans and Caddy (Wales) – 200
JD Wood and Moe (England) – 195
Gethin Jones and Eira (Wales) – 195
Field 3:
James McGee and Becca (Ireland) – 204
Kevin Evans and Spot (Wales) – 201
Stuart Davidson and Jim (Scotland) – 199
Jim Wilson and Tweed (New Zealand) – 198
A Ll Jones and Max (Wales) – 196
Richard Millichap and Taddymoor Cap (Wales) – 193
Ian MacKay and Abe (Scotland) - 193
USA handlers:
Chuck Dimit and Luke – 147
Ann Mock and Jan – 132
Dawn Boyce and Tink – 132
Don McCaig and Luke – RT
Gene Sheninger and Jen – 136
Haley Howard and Ross – 172
Joyce Geier and Clue – DQ
Nancy Obernier and Nick – 185
Maria Amodei and Rhyme – 152
1 comment:
Hey, we are all as proud as can be of you for even attempting to compete in such a lofty event! Good on you and the dogs. All is well here - hope the rain will have stopped before you get here as I guess you have seen enough of that for a while. Looking forward to hearing all the adventures.
Caroline
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