By Heidi Gruber, special to Mountain Valley News
“There now,” “Atta boy,” and applause were all heard at the seventh annual Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials held in Hotchkiss. The event was held last week and attracted over 45 handlers from across the nation to compete for top honors. Some handlers were even from as far Montana and Missouri.
The show was dedicated to Keith Duane Ulshafer, who helped found the trials and who had been involved with the event for seven years. Ulshafer died last fall but left an indelible impression on those around him.
“I love watching the dogs. I am in awe of their natural ability and how much more discipline they have than our dog,” said Joe Carol of Grand Junction, who brought his dog Pepper. Carol had attended other trials and found that Hotchkiss's trial was most enjoyable.
“We went to Meeker trials until last year because we didn't know about Hotchkiss's. We had a friend in Hotchkiss who told us about it. Now, we'll be regulars,” said Carol. One of Carol's favorite aspects of this trial was its “down-to-earth” feel. “I love the informality because we can have dogs. The Meeker trials wouldn't allow that,” he said.
Les Mergleman, the Trial's announcer, thanked Dick Hotchkiss for loaning the meadow and to the Larry Allen family for donating the sheep. Without the donations from these families, the trial would not have been possible.
“It's amazing to see the dogs work the sheep. I can't imagine the time it takes to train them. Our shih tzu is a little out of place,” said Judy Weaver, of Cedaredge. “That dog responds instantaneously,”she said.
There were several Trial-goers who had not attended Hotchkiss's Trial before. “I've been waiting to come to one of these ever since I moved to Colorado,” said Cathy Michels. Her and her husband Drei had vacationed in Colorado for several years and finally decided to move here. I didn't know they had to go through an obstacle,” she said. Cathy saw several of the border collie's characteristics in her own sheltie.
“This sounds weird, but, it's fun seeing the sheep outsmart the dog,” said Drei Michels. Several competitors had challenges with getting the sheep through the proper obstacles. Some sheep ran back toward their holding pens and even jumped over the fence, which led to a disqualification of that particular run.
For more information on how to get involved, donate, or attend the 2011 Trials, contact the Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce at 872-3226.
