National Cattledog Finals here October 10-13
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Professionally-trained stock dogs and their handlers from all over the United States and Canada will convene at Hoover Angus just north of Tingley next month for their main event of the year.
Dogs that have earned enough points to qualify through U.S. Border Collie Handler’s Association’s trials earlier this year will compete.
There are two classes of competition, Open and Nursery. The Open class is for dogs of all ages and any breed. The Nursery competition, also open to any breed of dog, is limited to dogs four years of age or less.
Hoover Angus will supply 190 head of Angus heifers to use as the stock in the competition.
Through the use of whistle or voice commands, each dog handler will instruct their dog to gather the cattle from a distance of 250 to 450 yards away and maneuver the cattle through a set of obstacles before penning the cattle at the end of the course.
Another challenge includes sorting one heifer from the group of heifers – a skill needed in real-world ranching situations.
The final day of competition includes a “double lift” whereby the dog is required to fetch and bring together two sets of heifers as one part of the obstacle course.
Scoring is based on points for successful completion of obstacles plus the time it takes to complete the course.
Thursday through Saturday are preliminary days beginning at 7:45 a.m. and generally ending in the early evening. The finals begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. where the top 10 Nursery dogs and the top 15 Open class dogs compete for the title.
Ringgold County residents participating in the Finals include Brian Brown and Bob Johnson of Tingley and Jeff Livingston of Diagonal.
This national event is open to the public with free admission and parking. Lunch and restrooms are available on the grounds.
In case of inclement weather, spectators can watch live on the big screen TVs inside the Hoover Angus sale facility.
The event will be located at the Hoover Angus Sale Facility, 2399 110th Street, Shannon City. From the Tingley turn-off on Highway 169, go two miles north to 110th Street, then three-quartert mile east.
Once the trials have begun, a link to the live stream of the event can be found at http://cattledogfinals.usbcha.com.
