This painting was raffled off for over $600. Congratulations to Erin Swanson!

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for the 2008 results.

Over Memorial Day weekend, May 24th through the 26th, 2008, we put on a sheepdog trial sanctioned by the United States Border Collie Handlers Association. The open and nursery will run on Saturday and Sunday and we were proud to have the highly respected handler and trainer, Lyle Lad, as our judge.

The trial field is an idle hay field with a little slope and roll sprinkled with boulder outcroppings that accomodates a 400-425 yard outrun. We used 2 and 3 year old just-shorn ewes from a commercial rambouillet flock that were backgrounded on the field 3 days before the trial. Our local feed stores stepped up and donated hay, so we were able to feed 50 bales of alfalfa and 10 bags of 4-way grain and we had great sheep all weekend that were a good test of the dogs.

In addition to judging the dog trial, Lyle Lad gave private lessons during the pro-novice on Monday, May 26th using our home flock on a field about a quarter mile away. The lessons were very popular and everyone commented on how great Lyle is as a teacher.

The painting shown above is an original oil painting called "Walk Up", which was painted by 2007 Meeker Art Show winner, Paul Morgan, who generously donated it to raise money for our trial. This painting won 2nd at the Ft. Lupton, Colorado art show in 2008. We raised over $600 in the raffle and the painting was won by our friend, Erin Swanson.

Valley Center is in North San Diego County and the trial was held in conjunction with the community's annual Western Days event, which offers a carnival, food vendors, parade and an evening rodeo. We would like to thank our sponsors who so graciously donated to support the trial.

John and Rafaela Belanich, La Jolla

David and Shari Meek, Rancho Santa Fe

Escondido Emergency Medical Clinic, Dr. Siebold, DVM

Hawthorne Country Store, Escondido www.hawthornecountrystore.com

C & S Fire Protection Service, Valley Center

Wallace-Ace Hardward, Valley Center

Valley Center Optomist Club

Valley Center Kettle Corn, Charlie and Lynn Smith

Bear Valley Feed, Valley Center

Terry's Feed, Valley Center

Valley Center Feed, Valley Center

Armor Fabricating, Valley Center

The Trailer Center, Valley Center

Country Junction Delicatessan, Valley Center

Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Deborah Hofler, DVM

Larry and Susan Glavinic

Valley Center Muffler, Valley Center

Zapeda Landscaping, Valley Center

Valley Center Tire

Equigenics, Inc.-Dr. Matt Matthews and Dr. Nancy Matthews, DVM

Desert Rose Gifts, Valley Center

Get an entry form: VCSDTEntry.pdf

Get a run order: VCWDST_Run_Order.doc

Get the results: VCWDresults08.doc