Review of Lacamas Valley 2006 Trial by Ray Crabtree
Lacamas Valley Sheepdog Trial
August 18-20, 2006
Camas, WA
by Ray Crabtree
Johnston 's Dairy just outside Camas, Washington is not only home to 350 pampered Holsteins , it is also home to one of the nicest trials in the Northwest. Hosts Lynn and Alison Johnston and Lynn's father, Leroy open the third generation dairy to sheep and dogs and welcome handlers with open arms.
The drive from the Treasure Valley area is about 7-8 hours with the majority of that along I-84, not scenic but efficient. Once you leave the interstate, you finish your trip on the Washington side of the Columbia River , winding along on a narrow, tree lined highway. The Johnston Dairy lies just north of the little, paper mill town of Camas once again on tree lined roads and tree lined fields.
Leroy Johnston's father started clearing the trees and brought in the milk cows and with each new generation adding land and Holsteins . Today, the postcard perfect fields of grass and corn, outlined with thick stands of forests is a testimony to the hard work and value of the family farm.
The field the trial was held on was the primary field for hay silage and was large enough for a 525 yard outrun on the west end and good 250 yard outrun for the pro-novice dogs on the east end. The field was bordered on the west with a solid wall of field corn to be cut for silage. Next year that field will be planted to grass. Easily a double lift would fit next year. I know, I'm getting ahead of myself but that is easy to do, especially knowing that Lynn already has his setout pens built permanently back into the trees.
The Pro-Novice and Novice trials were all held on Friday. It made for a very, very long day for Sandy Johnson, designated judge for both classes. With two runs for each class, a total of 80 dogs went to the post. Sandy did a great job even if it was a bit of a marathon day. The sheep had been overnighted the first night in a pen on the far east corner of the field. That was enough to create a bit of a draw to that side which proved the undoing of many dogs. Overall, the sheep which were yearlings provided by Reed Anderson, were even and honest. Set out was all done by volunteer handlers but the pen was run in stellar fashion by Susan Lindstedt.
After Friday, the emphasis shifted over to the west side of the field for two days of Open trials. Rob Lewis stepped into the judge's tent and Patrick Shannahan was again the course director. Lynn had enough sheep so all Open runs would only see those sheep once each day. That gave everyone very even running. The outrun at 525 yards meant that there was not a ton of room at the top and the field shape tended to pinch the dogs in a bit on the Away side. That seemed to be the direction of choice as the Comebye side next to the corn meant your dog would have to hustle at the top to cut the sheep off if they started back for the set out.
The draw to the exhaust and to that overnight night pen was tipped over a bit as Patrick reversed the course on Sunday. With a nice roll here and there in the field, the course added a bit of deception that confounded more than a few dogs and handlers but it was very doable (Noelle Williams delivered a jaw dropping 95 on Saturday).
To top it all off, Lynn and crew put on a catered barbeque for the handlers Saturday night, invited the public out to watch and even had your's truly there for announcing. It was lot of fun, got rave reviews from the handlers, and of course quite a few “what about next year?” questions.
Thanks to the Johnstons, Kris McElhinney (the super efficient, super organized, behind-the-scene-person) and all of their volunteers. They all went above and beyond the call to put on a first rate event. See you next year?
Ray
Friday Open Winner
Al Zuppan & Birch
Saturday Open Winner
Joe Haynes & Rain
Double Lift Final Champion
Patrick Shannahan & Riggs
2007 Scores
Lacamas Valley Sheep Dog Trial
August 18th - 21st, 2011 Camas, WA
