Lessons April 4, 2025
Clinic April 5-6, 2025
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A little bit about me: Professionally, I was a mechanical engineering consultant for 22 years in Calgary. I remember watching the Calgary Stampede World Stockdog Championship years ago and thinking it was amazing! My hobby now takes me all over the world, giving me the privilege of teaching internationally. I am the new kid on the block, relatively speaking. My first dog, 'Cosmo,' was the first dog I did herding with. He was more 'show' bred Aussie, but we stuck with it. My first experience with herding was very positive, but I found it very difficult afterward to find someone willing to work with us. I watched field trials and clinics for many years and enjoyed it. I attended a clinic in Saskatchewan with Trudy Viklund. She had Aussies that were AWESOME! I remember saying, one day I will have an Aussie like that, and ... I did. Trudy helped me get Dan, and the rest is history, as they say.

I was lucky and particular about who I picked as my trainer and mentor. They had to believe in me and my dog ... and they did. HOF WTCH HS Dan the Man PATScs ATD-Md RTDcs DNA-VP 'Dan' was the first Australian Shepherd to qualify for the USBCHA (United States Border Collie Handlers Association) Nursery finals, and he made the semi-finals in 2013. He's also the first Australian Shepherd to qualify for the open finals. We competed in the 2015 and 2018 USBCHA Finals. We also qualified for the World Sheep Dog trial in Europe in 2019, an incredible accomplishment. Dan has done well with both sheep and cows in the USBCHA competitions. He's placed well and won many trials both in the arena and field. His biggest win was the 2018 World Stockdog Champion, the first non-border collie to ever win. He's also the 2018 Clock Stock and Barrel champion. He's been a finalist many times in both venues.

Dan has also had some good success in ASCA. He's placed well over the years, but we don't trial in ASCA much as field trials are more what we enjoy. He's placed well over the years for merit and finals standings. He's also qualified and ran in the 2017 ASCA Finals. I believe we won reserve sheep and were top 10 in cows and ducks somewhere. I don't keep track of my ASCA accomplishments.

I have five other Aussies right now. I have HOF WWT Dandy in Pink STDds DNA-VP 'Pink', who is 10; she's a Dan daughter. I've trialed her a bit, but she doesn't enjoy it. She's a very talented dog at my farm. HOF WTCH BR Carroll's Dark Angel Vin RTDcs DNA-VP 'Vinnie' is 9. I have trialed him with both sheep and cows in USBCHA. He's a great dog with plenty of talent and has been an outstanding producer. I have trialed him a bit in ASCA, and he's placed well in the finals and ASCA merit standings.

SDCH WTCH-X BR Jim Dandy AFTDcs OFTDdm PATScs RTScs DNA-VP 'Jim' is 5 years old. He's had many high in trial combined in cattle and sheep this year and is the ASDA 2022 Arena Nursery Champion. He was a finalist in the 2022 World Stockdog competition, his first time there. Jim is the 2023 ASCA Nationals Sheep Champion, High Score Stockdog, High Combined Overall. He's also the 2023 ASCA Finals Sheep Champion, Cattle Champion, and High Combined. WTCH BR FrankieDoodle Dandy RTDcs PATScs DNA-CP 'Frankie' is 3 years old and is incredibly special. She's a very natural dog, and I'm very excited for her future. She has qualified for the 2023 USBCHA nursery finals and has done well in ASCA this year so far.

My newest addition is Double V Here Comes the Storm 'Stormy', who is 7 months old. I'm very excited for her future. My training style is simple: I want the dogs to understand pressure and go around their stock sensibly. I'm firm but fair. I want the dog to show some respect to the handler and the stock. It is my goal for people to see themselves and their dogs in a way they didn't know was possible. I hope to inspire people to train and trial to be their best and not worry so much about the team next to them. Focus on your own set of dreams, and they're more likely to come true. Trust and respect are priceless.

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