Herding Ranch Dog

Thursday, September 17th, 2009 | Herding | No Comments

Labor Day weekend was a busy one at Hado Bar. The farm held it’s summer AHBA trials over four days. On Saturday they held the Herding Ranch Dog trials, and Becky and I decided to enter.

The HRD is a long course through all four of the pastures with lots of gate-work. It is a trial which shows the practical work of a dog on a working ranch. There is gathering, fetching, holding off the gate, and sorting sheep through a gate and putting them through various obstacles in addition to leaving them at a graze. The first level allows 20 minutes to complete the course. The course must be run successfully twice to earn the HRD title. There were a lot of entries, and the day that started at 7:30 AM lasted until nearly 8:00 PM!

Becky and Arwen completed the qualifying runs with a second place in the first trial, and first place in the second trial, earning her title. Wynnter qualified in the first trial with a third place, but did not qualify in the second trial. We will have to wait till spring to finish her title. Follow this link to the video of Arwen’s title leg:                                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd_V3WcUT2M

Even though we had to call our second run, I am thrilled we earned a placement in the first trial. It has only been a year since I watched Luna, who is an accomplished herding dog, earn her HRD. Becky and Arwen completed the course with a grace and style I can only hope to someday achieve. I am so happy that Wynnter and I were able to compete in this sort of event. Herding is so difficult, and so many days after lessons I would simply wonder if I would ever get it. I am happy to say, it’s coming.

Companion Dog Excellent!!!

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 | Obedience | No Comments

On August 9 Wynnter earned her AKC CDX title at the Obedience Training Club of Greater Lansing trial under judge Catherine Thompson. She placed third in a class of twelve.

U-CD Gr Ch Hallmark's Wynnter Moon for Neil, CDX, RE, PT, ASCA CD, JHD, TT, OFA (h,e,c,th), PennHIP