| HGH
Herding Competition in Rushville, NY
Our
15th Annual HGH Herding Competition took place on October 15, 2011.
The First HGH Herding Club hosted this trial at White Clover Sheep
Farm in Rushville, NY. SV Herding Judge, Herr Manfred Voigt, evaluated
this event according to the SV herding regulations.
Five dogs were entered, all of them were GSDs. They all qualified
and achieved their HGH title.
After being blessed with good weather for many years, this time
around we faced windy and rainy conditions. While this makes each
run more difficult, it did not keep the many spectators from coming
and observing this interesting event. The owner of the flock of
exactly 259 sheep, Ulf Kintzel, ran first. This
run is considered to be the more difficult one since the sheep aren’t
used to the course yet. It is common courtesy that the flock owner
offers to run first since it is also an advantage to compete with
one’s own flock. The first run was done for title only and
not as a part of the ranking of the competition. Ulf showed 6 and
1/2 year old Elka vom Quasliner Moor, aka Gerda,
owned by Daphne Carey, Wantage, NJ and finished with 90
points and an V (Excellent) rating. The
newly created trophy for "Best New Dog", sponsored by
Peter and Daphne Carey went to Elka.
The second competitor of the day was Kristin
Siarkowicz with Lara vom Dolderbrunnen,
who won last year's competition. Lara showed again a remarkable
performance. The total score was 94 points and a V rating.
That was again first place. Kristin won the challenge trophy sponsored
by late Charlie and late Roberta Kaman (Fidelco, Guide Dogs for
the Blind).
The third competitor of the day was Kathy DiStaso
with Elexa vom Quasliner Moor. She was able to
improve last year's score by 11 points and received a V
rating and 92 points. She won second place
and the Beth Johnson Memorial Medal for "Runner up".
Then it was time for lunch but it had started to rain. The barn,
meant to house sheep and store hay, came in handy to enjoy the sheep
hotdogs donated by White Clover Sheep Farm and the many side dishes
other club members and long-time spectators had brought with them.
The atmosphere of the barn gave it a rather cozy feeling.
After lunch ran newcomer Pat Bonino with Ingo
von de Sleghte Bruute. Pat had never competed in a herding
trial and Ingo was previously untitled. On top of this, Ingo had
just recovered from illness and had been less than one year in training.
Nevertheless, Pat and Ingo received 65 points,
a B rating and 4th place.
The last run was conducted by Alison Bentley with
Myrddin vom Sukee. Alison was also a newcomer and
came all the way from North Carolina to compete. She received a
Good and 77 points. She won third
place and the trophy for "Best Newcomer" sponsored by
Kim Gash.
That day saw only satisfied competitors who had accomplished the
goal they had set for themselves. Congratulations to everyone.
|
|
Click
on the picture to enlarge.
Elka being placed at the pen during
the re-pen (picture Kathy DiStaso)
|
