Sheep Dog Trials

Today I went to the 16th Annual Sheep Dog Trials and Dog Fest at Rural Hill Farms.  This was my 3rd visit and the first time I had been in quite a few years.  This year I was finally able to go with my friend Jenny.  We had a WONDERFUL time.  Border Collies are one of my very favorite dog breeds however, I am smart enough to know that I should never "own" one.  Border Collies were bred to work and they need constant stimulation.

The sheepdog trials take 2 days to complete with over 95 dogs competing this year.  Here's a picture of a cowboy taking the sheep back to the holding pen. (Actually, they said he is a professional bull rider!)  If you look to the right of the sheep you will see a Border Collie helping him out. 

Once all of the sheep have arrived in the holding pen, the cowboy releases four sheep.  Those 4 sheep unsuspectingly graze in a group at the top of the hill.  Meanwhile, way on the other side of the field, the shepherd releases his/her collie.  And they're off....

Look at him go...this dog is flying!  He/She will run wide around until he gets behind the sheep and the next thing they know...they're moving wherever he tells them.  The shepherd calls the dog by a series whistles and commands such as:

Come Bye = circle in a clockwise direction
Away to Me = circle counterclockwise
Stand = Stop
Lie Down = stop or lay down.   A good dog knows which by the tone of their handler's voice.
That'll Do = come back to the handler
Get Out = go wide
Those are the most common commands that you hear at the sheep dog trials. 

Here are some more pictures from today's competition:

The dog has to herd all 4 sheep through the gate.  (There are 3 gates)

It was such a beautiful day for the trials.  The temperature was in the mid-70's and it was actually rather hot!  Here our collie has been told to "lie down"...

Now the shepherd has to separate two sheep from the group

After the sheep are separated, the collie will herd all four of them into a small pen.

Great job!  That'll do boy, that'll do.

Tomorrow I will tell you about the rest of the festival.  The sheepdog trials were only part of the festivities going on at the farm.  In the meantime...here's a picture of some sheep that had completed their portion of this round.  :-)