By Sheila McMillan
(Photos by Lynn Johnston and Catherine Rae)
On April 27th, 2025, fourteen participants attended a Clinic Day with Viki Kidd. The focus of the morning was on Sheep Dog Trial Protocols and Rules. Viki led us through the USBCHA Judging Guidelines Booklet all the time answering questions, clarifying what we were understanding and providing us with her insight as a Trial Judge and long time Sheep Dog Trial handler. We talked about the Guidelines and how, in some cases, Judges may interpret them differently. Individuals shared their experiences and had the opportunity to discuss how the scores they had received had been arrived at by judges. For myself, the problem of crossing the course became clear and I can now visualize the line of travel for the sheep. I now understand that my dog circling the sheep is not just a time-wasting activity, it is a big point loser! When a judge says that if your dog circles the sheep 3 times, you could lose all your points for that section of work or even possibly be disqualified. We all came away with a greater understanding of the Guidelines.
In preparation for the afternoon, Viki provided education on set out and holding of sheep during a Trial. The challenges of getting sheep calmly to the set out spot, holding them and keeping your dog lying down was discussed. When the sheep are on the set out spot and the competition dog gets to 10 or 2 o’clock, the handler and dog must not move (be a “post” and the dog is a “rock”), so as to not influence or impact the competition dog coming to pick up the sheep. Everyone competing in a Trial is hoping for calm and at least somewhat cooperative sheep so quiet commands, slow steady movements by handler and dog are required. Viki also reassured us that things happen and that is life. We are all just doing our best.
After a wonderful lunch prepared by Viki, we went out to the field and practiced setting out and holding sheep. Participants were divided into two groups, made up of lesser and more experienced handlers. Each handler had the opportunity to perform an outrun and fetch with their dog, as well as doing setting out and holding of sheep. More experienced handlers were available to assist those who were sending their dogs on an outrun while Viki coached the set out handler on how their positioning, movement and commands impacted the sheep and their dog. Calm attitudes, steady/slow movement plus quiet voices helped keep sheep and dogs in their best places for the set out. The nuances of working set out at a Trial became clearer as we all tried it with our dogs.
The sunshine was welcomed by everyone, and the temperature was excellent for working outside. All handlers and dogs had a great time while learning and practicing what are new skills for most of us. As the afternoon activities proceeded smoothly, there was time for an extra activity of pushing out sheep, picking them up and moving them down the field to a set out person and then receiving them back and returning the sheep to the field.
We wrapped up the day, reviewing what we had individually learned and will take away from this Clinic. Thanks to Viki for another great Clinic and the opportunity to grow our Sheep Dog Handler Skills.