Jackets for the 2010 Finals are available for ordering in our web store. Place your order by September 1 to ensure delivery at the Finals!

The camping reservation form has been posted on the web site.

Susan Rhoades will be hosting the practice field at Keepstone Farm in Berryville, Virginia. Contact Susan directly (540-907-9511) for more information and rates

You now can order a 2010 Finals poster for your very own in our online store!

The judges for the 2010 National Sheepdog Finals are as follows:

• Dennis Birchall, Ireland
• Jennifer Clark-Ewers, USA
• Haley Howard, California, USA
• Allisdair Lyttle, Ireland

Look for their bios soon on this web site!

Take a look at the gorgeous new poster for the 2010 Finals!

After three months of record breaking snowfall and then heavy rains, Big Bend Farm was a muddy mess. A good number of handlers cancelled their entries because they had been unable to get their dogs to sheep in preparation for competition. With less than 24 hours notice the scheduled judge backed out due to a family crisis. But Dean Holcomb and Barb Klien saved the day! Both stepped up offering their services free of charge to benefit the 2010 Finals.

The ewes were testy due to separation from their lambs during the trial. It took a strong dog to convince these ladies to slog through the mud moving even further from their lambs back at the barn. The fence by the river provided an escape for some who strayed well off line. All in all the trial proved quite the challenge.

Handlers enjoyed the occasion despite the weather and degree of difficulty. Two thousand dollars were raised for the Finals, with the help of nearly every handler pitching in to run the show. A variety of handlers earned points as seen below.

Saturday 39 Dogs

1 Jeanine Van de Merve Jade
2 Barbara Ray Jobe
3 Dee Penatzer Craig
4 Vicky Wilcox Pat
5 Jim Allen Zip
6 Anet Haithcox Gin
7 Mich Ferraro Moss
8 Sherry Farster Vic
9 Dal Kratzer Shep
10 Carla King Emma


Sunday 41 Dogs

1 Barbara Ray Britt
2 Carla King Emma
3 Barbara Ray Jobe
4 Lori Cunningham Matt
5 David Clark Roy
6 Dee Penatzer Rob
7 Don Whittington Hector
8 Doug Brewer Tess
9 Dal Kratzer Shep
10 Pat Kallen Jet

We’re pleased to announced that Serta has signed on as major sponsor of the 2010 Finals, both of the event itself and of the video pod cast. We’re glad to have them on board. Click on their link in the sidebar and check them out for yourself!

For the first time ever, the national sheepdog finals will be broadcast in a live video stream over the Internet! We’re pleased to offer complete coverage of all of the runs on Saturday and Sunday, dawn to dark. So those of you who won’t be joining us in Virginia will be able to see the semi-finals and finals as the runs unfold!

Linda Tesdahl and Barb Klein have created a wonderful rating of motels convenient to Middletown, using an innovative five-paw rating system. It’s not too early to make your reservations. September will be here before we know it!