ABC Herding Trial

Pamela Frost
ABC Herding Trial Chair

On June 18, 2017, the American Beauceron Club sponsored its very 1st AKC Herding Tests/Trials at PackLeader Farm in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Our goals were 1) to complete the required AKC Mentorship for ABC to hold AKC Herding Tests/Trials, 2) to reach out to Beauceron owners in this region and ignite their interest in herding with their Beaucerons, and 3) hopefully to make money to support future ABC herding events. At least, those were my goals. As we were able to meet all three goals, I do, indeed, count these tests/trials a success.

The trials ran very smoothly with workers and regular exhibitors pitching to help when and wherever needed. AKC Herding Representative, Alison Ruhe, was in attendance and told me that we did a “good job”. Lisa Cecin, Director of AKC Club Relations said in her recent email:

“We are pleased to hear that the ABC’s recently held mentored Herding event was a success, and the ABC is now officially licensed to hold Herding events.”

In addition to the AKC Herding Test/Trials on Sunday, June 18, 2017, PackLeader Farm, Barbara Davenport & Steve Weigley (ABC Members) offered “unofficial” instinct testing and a seminar for interested Beauceron owners. Two people came out with their 3 Beaucerons for instinct testing and to gain experience and information about herding. Hopefully, that may mean more exhibitors for the future.

I am pleased to report that with the generous contributions of the local ABC members and herding enthusiasts, we did make over $600 from these trials! I hope that this money will be used to support future ABC herding events.

Although there were only 3 Beaucerons entered in these tests/trials, we did get additional Beauceron owners to come and join us at the trial with their Beaucerons. You can see that we have eight Beaucerons in our group shot below, and three more were there for Friday’s “unofficial” instinct testing.  Not a bad start!

Entered at the trial level in Course A Started Sheep were 2 male Beaucerons:

• Armored Rose Archangel CGC TT JHD (Falco) owned by Luke & Vicky Lisa
• GCH Luc du Chateau Rocher PT CGC JHD (Luc) owned by Pamela Frost

Entered at the test level in Pre-Trial (PT) was 1 female Beauceron:

• CH Magie Noire du Mont des Croisettes CGC (Magie Noire) owned by Pamela Frost

At the trial level, Falco and Luc represented the Beauceron beautifully with a lot of drive and movement. Neither of these dogs have much trial experience. In fact, this was the first time Falco and Luke competed on AKC’s Course A. Luc had earned 2 legs on Course A Started Sheep at the ABC National in Dixon, CA last October. Falco and Luc received very respectful scores – and tied with 89.5 each!  Wow, what were the odds?!

The tie was broken on the cross-drive where Luc beat Falco out by only 1/2 point to earn High-Scoring Beauceron for the AM Trial. That finished Luc’s 1st AKC herding trial level title – HSAs.

Falco now has 2 qualifying scores and needs only 1 more to earn his HSAs.

Luc narrowly won High-Scoring Beauceron in the AM trial and held it together to win High-Scoring Beauceron in the PM trial as well.

Another winner was the cake we had with lunch to celebrate this inaugural ABC – AKC Herding Tests/Trials.  So goooood!!!

This first ABC AKC Herding Test/Trial would not have been possible without the hard work by the Trial Committee. Thank you!!

Trial Chair                                                      Pamela Frost

Trial Secretary                                            Ashley Wright

Facility Owner                                            Barbara Davenport & Steve Weigley

Chief Steward/Duck Wranglers       Vicky & Luke Lisa

Chief Stock Handler                                Barbara Davenport

Course Director                                         Steve Weigley

Competitors’ Hospitality                      Karen Branin

Emergency Response Coordinator Steve Weigley

Awards/Donations                                    Pamela Frost

Another critical element to the success of these tests/trials were the donations which helped to make these events profitable for the American Beauceron Club. Thank you to those who made generous donations of awards, etc.

Contributing to the general award fund

Beverly Morean,
In memory of Ch Anya Bleue de St Sacrement, RATCHX2, CAX, HSAs, HTAD1s, CGC

Matthew & Vicky Lisa

Specific Award Contributions

High-In-Trial

• K-9 Komfort 20 ft. TufFlex Check Cord
  Pamela Frost & Art King of Givre Roi Beaucerons and Frost-King Rottweilers

Reserve-High-In-Trial

6’ Gripper Leash

Offered by Pamela Frost & Art King of Givre Roi Beaucerons and Frost-King Rottweilers

High Scoring Beauceron

• Leash’s up 101 Reasons why I love My Beauceron  Laura de La Cruz
• Framed Commemorative Tile  Karla Davis, Chateau Rocher  Beaucerons

High Combined Beauceron

10.75″ porcelain plate w/Commemorative design  ABC

Hand Braided Leather Slip Lead  Barbara Davenport & Steve Weigley, PackLeader Farm

High Combined All Breed

Hand Braided Leather Slip Lead  Ashley Wright

Well, here’s looking at you. All three Beaucerons, Luc, Falco and Magie Noire had such a great time, they are ready to do it all again. We’re hoping that more Beaucerons will be ready and want to join in on the fun, herding in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

All in all, a good beginning for ABC’s 1st AKC Herding Tests/Trials!