This is a six-trial series (three two-day trials which are planned for Nov 15-16, 2025 and Jan 10-11, and Feb 14-15, 2026). Day money will be paid back at each trial. Awards for end-of-series champions. Series champions will be determined by the highest total scores on 4 trials. If a handler/dog competes in more than 4 trials in the series, only their best 4 trial scores will count. You do not have to compete in all six trials to be eligible for the series awards.
UPDATE:
We have made a difficult decision regarding the scheduled February NorCal Winter Series trials 5 & 6, posted as taking place February 14 & 15 in Ione. The heifers that we have been trialing on in Ione are going out with the bulls shortly after next week’s trial and will be unavailable for the February dates. The fact that dog-broke cattle in the numbers that we require to host a trial of this size were unavailable forced our hand to make a change.
In an effort to produce the best trial possible within our means, we have found it necessary to move the trial to the Chowchilla- Madera County Fairgrounds, a facility that most of you are familiar with. With that, the arena in Chowchilla is not available until the weekend of February 28 – March 1. We understand that this change will not be convenient for everyone and we are especially disappointed that we could not hold true to the original dates. Our other options were to cancel trials 5 & 6 altogether or bring fresh cattle into Ione and break them during the trial. Neither of those options suited us.
We believe that this move maintains the integrity of the series, as we will have quality, dog-broke cattle for the Chowchilla dates. Those of you that cannot make the Chowchilla dates work should remember that we are holding to the concept that your best 4 runs count for the overall series awards. You do not have to compete in all 6 trials to be eligible for the series buckles.
This decision was a difficult one and was made with one thought in mind; to offer the best possible trial experience to the dogs and handlers entered. It was our decision to finish what we started, even if it meant a dramatic adjustment to the original plan.
Look for the entries to come out soon after the January trial (in one week!) and will close February 13, which is two weeks before the trial weekend.
Best of luck to everyone next weekend in Ione. Elliot, Kathy and I will be available to answer any questions that you might have.
Regards,
Bill Dale
