We finally freaking did it!!!
Porter earned his Started Sheep title this weekend!
That little green ribbon is a huge-ass gold trophy in my mind :)
I have worked harder on this than anything else, ever. I wanted to give up so many times. Through so many lessons, tears, falls, failures, "almosts," more tears... we finally have something to show for it.
Our herding journey began with a simple instinct test at the Cardigan specialty way back in 2006:
After watching him do that, and knowing that both his parents had herding titles (Vivian gave me an article about his mom herding when I brought him home), I knew that I wanted to give it a shot.
It took me a long time to get started: we were beginning in agility, I had to find a trainer, etc. But once all those things fell into place, I was kind of hooked :)
We earned our PT back in April of 2010 at the Cardigan specialty (which also took a lot of work...):
3 years later, on our 13th attempt at Started Sheep, we finally earned the title :)
I have attended & attempted Started Sheep at this very trial for the last 3 years. Our only previous legs were earned at this location at the CWCCA specialty in 2012.
I'm sure more experienced herders would laugh at those kind of statistics :) Others would have given up long before this. But I am stubborn, and I was not going to quit.
So I would like to thank the people who let me cry on their shoulders (there were a lot of tears!) and I'd like to apologize for the bragging now.
But we freaking did it! :)
There was a videographer & photographer at the trial, so there will be forthcoming evidence as I receive it :)
Porter looks like quite the natural! He wanted 13 tries so he could keep getting to play with sheep!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!
Ah, that's a great way of looking at it! He is clever like that :)
DeleteNever worry about bragging about getting a herding title!!!! The biggest part we have to get past is US. The dogs have instinct, we don't! Great job! I am so proud of you! And I do remember you got a RHIT with Porter too.
ReplyDeleteGreat job for hanging in there!
Thank you! I still remember you telling me that you get nervous before trials... that made me feel so much better!
DeleteCongrat-u-freaking-lations!!! I was so happy for you when you texted me over the weekend (someone thought I had already gotten a job, LOL)! You definitely are an inspiration to me. Hopefully LaMesa and I will get to start herding soon (recent events have changed my plans) and you can help me!
ReplyDeleteThat is FABULOUS!! I am so impressed! You both looked good out there. So much work!!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the little green ribbon meaning so much more than it looks. Obedience ribbons are book marks compared to agility ribbons and obedience is sooooooooooooo much more work. And mean so much more (to me anyway.) But haven't had the nerve to attempt herding. Hats off to you!!!