TRIAL RESULTS

GSDA Spring Trial

March 26-28, 2010

Folks gathered from North and South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, and as far away as Indiana and Illinois, for the annual GSDA Spring Trial on March 26 - 28 at Windy Hill Farm in Dawson, Georgia, home of Tom and Lawanna Friddell.  Tom and Lawanna were excellent hosts with Tom constantly riding back and forth to insure sheep, handlers, judges, scribes and "chunkers" were in their proper places, while Lawanna kept the coffee pot full and the baked goods available.  Many thanks for your efforts and hospitality.  Thanks also for all the volunteers who were ready and willing to help, no matter what the job.

 The large field rose slightly in the distance allowing the entire course to be easily seen, but the many swells and dips played havoc with some folks' depth perception!  The forecast was for warm and sunny weather but turned up overcast, cool and extremely windy, which seemed to unsettle the sheep and had the handlers and spectators scrambling for hats and coats.  The dogs, however, seemed unperturbed.  They were lined up at the fence as usual, anxious for their turns.

 The judging was fairly and competently handled by Bill Coburn from Hickory Tavern, SC, in the nursery and open classes, by Jon Tholkes from Townville, SC, in the pro novice class, and by JoAnn Sims from Jackson, GA, in the novice class.  They did a great job, offered constructive criticisms and praise, and we are grateful to them.

 Thanks and congratulations to everyone who entered and worked to make the trial a success.  Hope to see you next year!  That'll do.

Open Saturday  (49 dogs)

1.  David Saunders                     Curtis                95         (run-off)

2.  Alan Hickenbottom                Vic                    95

3.  Tony Stewart                          Cole                  93

4.  Kelley Kingsland                    Swiss               92

5.  Jon Tholkes                            Kate                 92

6.  Kenneth Arrendale                 Mairi                 91

7.  Tony Phillips                           Jig                    91

8.  Hubert Bailey                         Jim                   88

9.  Hubert Bailey                         Rex                  87

10.Mike Schragel                       Ty                     87

Open Sunday  (43 dogs)

1.  Alan Hickenbottom                Meg                 93

2.  Tony Stewart                          Lad                  92

3.  Kenneth Arrendale                 Mairi               91

4.  Jennifer Maginnis                  Arwen              88

5.  Kenneth Arrendale                 Belle               88

6.  David Saunders                     Curtis              87

7.  Jon Tholkes                            Kate                87

8.  Tony Stewart                          Cole                87

9.  Hubert Bailey                         Jim                  85

Open Ranch I  (9 dogs)

1.  Matt Cook                            Gunner              76

2.  Joyce Eddy                          Tess                 74

3.  Ray Bailey                            Champ             67

Open Ranch II  (10 dogs)

1.  Alan Hickenbottom                Mollie              82

2.  Joyce Eddy                            Tess                76

3.  Kelley Kingsland                   Skye                72

Pro Novice I  (15 dogs)

1.  Patrick Gallagher                  Molly                83

2.  Patrick Gallagher                  Rex                  77

3.  JoAnn Sims                           Star                  72        

Pro Novice II  (17 dogs)

1.  Aubrey Nelson                      Guapo              83

2.  JoAnn Sims                          Star                  82

3.  Matt Cook                            Jules                 81

Novice Saturday  (6 dogs)

1.  Aubrey Nelson                      Thistle               80

2.  Rick Keller                            Tillie                  77

Novice Sunday  (6 dogs)

1.  S. Ballantyne                        Rock                 75

2.  Rick Keller                            Tillie                  60