Hello list,
Well, we have finally completed arrangements for the 20th Anniversary of the NJ State Championship SDT, 2009. The NEBCA Open Trials Committee has approved the dates and I'm about to secure approval from the USBCHA. The trial will be held September 12-14, once again, at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds just south of Flemington, NJ, immediately off of Route 202. It is being held in conjunction with the Garden State Sheep Breeders 15th Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival. The field will offer an outrun of over 350 yards and a drive that is a challange for most Open dogs.
Twenty years ago the N.J. State Sheepdog Trial was a quiet affair at our farm in Rockaway Township, NJ. We didn't even put together a program for that first trial in 1989. By 1990, it was still a small trial at our farm but we'd graduated to a trial with a program. Here's what I found in that program from 20 years ago: we had a total of 43 entries (3 N/N, 7 P/N, 8 R, 25 O) and a total of 75 runs (18 on Sat., 32 on Sun., 25 on Mon.). Seventy-five runs over three days is a far cry from our today totals of almost 300 runs over those same three days. I was cajoled into holding that trial that first year by my old friend Walt Jagger. He helped me in all aspects of setting it up and running it. He even provided his own sheep for our use. Special thanks HAVE to go to Walt Jagger as the inspiration for this long-standing event. Oh, let's not forget that Virgil Holland judged those first two trials for me. I have a LOT of stories to be told over those first two years. I'd be happy to share them if plied with appropriate beer or other libation!!!!!
So, except for this last year, 2008, we have always had a trial over the Labor Day weekend. Of course, last year, I was in Wales, making it impossible to have the trial. Now we are into 2009, and the economic crisis has hit us all. Hunterdon County needs to consolidate their events. Our trial, with their approval, will be held in conjunction with the Garden State Sheep Breeders 15th Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival. It's a good thing. The trial will bring in spectators for the Festival, their event will bring in spectators for our trial. However, the date has to change. We will be running one week later, September 12-14, 2009. This is the first year we will not have a trial over the Labor Day weekend. My sincere apologies to my old-time friend Walt Jagger. :-(
Okay, so now what do I do?? I have no way of predicting turnout from you all. In the past, after our formative years, I could easily predict 60 Open dogs, 30 Ranch dogs, and 50-60 N/N and P/N dogs. That made it easy. I could run BOTH Open and Ranch each on Saturday and Sunday, then have two runs each of N/N and P/N on Monday, Labor Day. What do I do about this year??? There is not a competing Open trial on Saturday and Sunday and this trial is a qualifying trial for the 2010 Finals in Virginia. Should I dedicate Saturday and Sunday to Open and have only one run each of N/N, P/N and Ranch on Monday? Or should I go back to the format I've followed over the last 20 years? Of course, I welcome input from you all.
So, as a starting point, here's my plan. I will run up to, but not exceeding, 85 Open dogs on each of Saturday and Sunday (September 12 & 13). I'll accept entries for 3 dogs per handler, but will reserve the right to limit each handler to two dogs. I'll plan for ONE run for each class -- N/N, P/N and Ranch on Monday (September 14). I will open, AND CLOSE, entries earlier than in past years. If entries turn out to warrant a change in the schedule, I'll post it and notify everyone. So, the plan will be to have only Open on Saturday and Sunday, 9/12-13. And the plan will have only one run of each of N/N, P/N and Ranch on Monday, 9/14. If entries turn out to be less than expected, I'll go back to the HISTORIC program of Open & Ranch on Saturday and Sunday, 9/12-13; and 2 runs each of N/N & P/N on Monday, 9/14. I'm going to try to put together an entry form that will offer the two options, expecting payment for only the first option, my current plan.
Of course, I am always open to comments from you all. Please send comments privately. I don't expect that there are many on the list interested in hearing all the comments. But, *I* surely am.