Herding East Stock Dogs is hosting a Novice/Intermediate trial. The purpose of this trial is to allow people to practice an arena course with feedback and coaching from Kier. The parameters for entering are simply ‘no open handlers.’ Note: one of the common asked questions last year was “can I enter if my dog is not trained/doesn’t have a lot of experience on sheep?” … This style trial/clinic is only beneficial to those that can give their dog commands to work through a course. Meaning move sheep around barrels, through a chute then into a pen.
The first run will be with coaching from Kier. Whether he comes to the post with you or coaches from the sidelines, he will provide support on your first run of the day. On the second run, you will go to the post without Kier. You will be able to go and help your dog as soon as the dog influences the sheep. Kier will then provide feedback at the end of the run. On the third run, you will go to the post without Kier and you will not be able to go and help your dog, unless deemed necessary by Kier. This is to challenge the confidence you have in yourself and your dog’s ability. If during your run, Kier sees it fit for you to go and help your dog in order for you to have a successful run, he will allow you to go and assist the dog.
The times from the 2nd and 3rd runs will be combined to give you an aggregate time. The winner will receive a prize!!
We are not sanctioning this trial as it will be a mixture of Novice and Intermediate dogs/handlers. The most important thing is that you find yourself improving and gaining confidence rather than beating the other teams there. We will also be able to provide you with your score sheet so that you can learn from your successes!
We will be taking a $25 deposit to hold your spot. Etransfer can be sent to herdingeaststockdogs@gmail.com. This trial starts at 9:00am and will go until 5:00pm. The first 30 mins will be a demonstration/classroom discussion on how to complete an arena trial correctly and quicker.