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Our
11th Annual HGH Herding Competition took place on October 6, 2007.
The First HGH Herding Club at White Clover Sheep Farm’s new
location in Rushville, NY hosted it. SV Herding Judge, Herr Hans
Chifflard, evaluated this event according to the SV herding regulations.
Five dogs were shown. 4 of these dogs were GSDs
and one was a Beauceron. They all qualified and achieved their HGH
title.
Unseasonable warm weather brought out a big crowd.
We probably had about 100 spectators, more than we ever had in hustled
New Jersey. The spectators asked many pointed questions and made
the trial one of the best we ever had. We also had a couple of articles
about the trial in local papers. We truly were the talk of the town.
The owner of the flock of about 240 sheep, Ulf
Kintzel, offered to do the first run. This run is considered to
be the more difficult ones 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. Also, the first run was done for title only and not as
a part of the competition. Ulf showed Fritz vom Versbachtal, owned
by Tracy Halpern. Fritz is an already 8 years old dog with a previous
SchH 1 title. Unfortunately, Fritz had injured himself a couple
of weeks before on his hind leg. This injury started bothering Fritz
half way through the run. Nevertheless, Fritz finished with a SG
and 81 points.
Gylla MacGregor followed this first run with Dunja
vom Quasliner Moor. Dunja is three years old and already obtained
the HGH title in 2006. Gylla was able to improve last year’s
score and finished second with an SG and 83 points. Gylla also won
the Beth Johnson Memorial Trophy for best dog handler.
Next came the seasoned competitor Kristin Siarkowicz
with her Abel vom Quasliner Moor. Abel is also already 8 years old
and obtained the HGH title numerous times. He also has a SchH 3
title. Despite of his age Abel acted very lively. Kristin could
not quite repeat her excellent performances from previous years.
However, her SG with 88 points was in the end still first place
and thus she was winner of the challenge trophy sponsored by Charlie
and Roberta Kaman (Fidelco, Guide Dogs for the Blind).
Now two bitches in season followed. The herding
rules require that females in season run last.
Geary Loff showed his new Beauceron, his two-year-old
Vendra De Ker Gal who was imported as a pup from France and came
from a sheep farm. Vendra finished third with a G and 79 points.
Now it was time for lunch break. The hosting club
offered Hot Dogs made from sheep meat and it was a hit.
After lunch the last competitor of the day, Ulf
Kintzel, showed his Fiona vom Quasliner Moor. Fiona is two years
old and was the youngster of the competition. She was also shown
for title only. Fiona finished with an SG and 89 points, the highest
score of the day. |
