Again, this summer three trials have joined together to offer the Vermont Triple Crown Award -  Merck Forest SDT in Rupert; Mad River Valley SDT in Waitsfield; and Vermont State Championships held in Quechee and Strafford.  The top score from each of the three open trials will be added together to determine the most consistent dog and handler.  The winner will receive a handcrafted trophy in the shape of Vermont with the name of the handler, dog, and year engraved on a brass plaque.  The trophy will be in the possession of the winning handler until the new trial year. In addition there will be a cash prize and an individual award.  The reserve champion will be recognized.   For further information about the Triple Crown, contact Steve Wetmore at swwet@valley.net or call 802-765-4466.

 The 2007  winner of the Vermont Triple Crown was Fiona Robertson and her dog Tap, from North Hatley, Quebec, Canada.  Peter van de Car and his dog Bud, who won the year before, were reserve champion.

The first trial in the Triple Crown is Merck Forest, in Rupert, Vermont, near the New York border, will be held July 12th and 13th.  It is in the region where slate and marble are mined.  The hills are short and steep, just like the trial field.  The set out of 250 yards is on top of a hill about 100 feet above the handler.   To add to the challenge, the sheep are not dog broke which is rare in the northeast.  For information about this year’s trial, contact Mandy Smith at mandy@merckforest.org  or call 802-394-7836.

 

The following weekend on July 19th and 20th will be the fifth year for the Mad River Valley SDT in Waitsfield, Vermont.  This trial offers novice classes as well as an open trial.  The trial is held on a former daily farm that is situated along the Mad River.  The long flat field offers an outrun of 300 yards. The sheep are a mix of Katahdin and wool sheep.  A berm at the set out offers good viewing of the field and the beautiful vistas of the Monroe Skyline of the Green Mountains. 

 

This trial draws an attentive group of spectators to cheer on the handlers and dogs. Contact Nancy Phillips at nphillips@madriver.com or call 802-496-7625

The last in the Triple Crown is the Vermont State Championships on August 23rd and 24th held in Quechee and Strafford.  The first day the trial is held in conjunction with the Scottish Festival.  This well attended festival provides bagpipes, traditional Scottish sports, food, crafts, and off course lots of people to cheer on the handlers and dogs.  The next day the trial moves to Steve Wetmore’s traditional Vermont hillside farm – not a flat spot in site. The outrun is short but steep and wooded.  There are many a dog that don’t find the sheep lurking in the shadows.   The next challenge is to bring the sheep down the hillside, across the brook and back again and finally across a bridge before you have to pen and shed the sheep near the barnyard.  The flock of Katahdin and wool sheep are very familiar with this hillside and provide the dogs an additional challenge.  The Vermont Triple Crown Award will be presented at this trial.  Contact Steve Wetmore at swwet@valley.net or call 802-765-4466

If you are looking for a spot to trial this summer, Vermont may be a good choice.  Each trial provides a convenient and scenic location with unique challenges to the handler and dog.  For the long distance handler, s/he can attend several trials during July within four hours of each other and enjoy his/her time in between enjoying the beauty of Vermont and its summer weather.  The days are warm and the nights tend to cool off for good sleeping.  If you come during a warm spell, there are plenty of nearby swimming holes in the rivers or a sandy beach by a lake for both man and dog.  Between trials, if you need a spot to camp and work sheep, contact Nancy Phillips (nphillips@madriver.com or call 802-496-7625).  Applications, directions and additional information can be obtained from www.nebca.net.