Fans of sheep dog trials won’t want to miss out on the Heritage Classic, set to run Jan. 24 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
“We are going to take about 48 dogs, and they each get two runs. The top 15 from the whole day, which starts at about 7:30 a.m., then come back to a final round which usually starts at 5:30 or 6 p.m.,” said Carissa Raugust, Ponoka Ag Society vice president and Heritage Classic coordinator.
“We have dogs coming from all over Alberta. Last year, we had some B.C. dogs as well. So it’s becoming a pretty well-known event. Entries were open for about five or six hours this year, and we were full,” she said, adding this marks the third year for the event.
Sponsor support is also greatly appreciated, as it helps to support various prizes for top performances, too.
“What happens is the handler gets to their post, and their dog will lay down beside them. They then call for their sheep, which will be led in from the opposite end of the arena. Then there is a certain course the sheep will run through, and it’s a timed event as well.
“Each obstacle has a certain number of points for each sheep that goes through the obstacle — so there would be full points if all three sheep go through. Sometimes one will go, and two will decide to split,” she added with a laugh.
All told, the events is a true crowdpleaser, and as it runs through the day, folks are invited to drop by anytime and take in the fun. There is also no charge to attend.
“I have a really good team that helps to make this possible,” said Raugust.
“They show up with all of their helpers, and away they go. I couldn’t do it without that group. I have a lot of volunteers that really step up.
“One of my main goals is also to try and fill those stands. Who doesn’t love watching these dogs run? People are really all over it.
“I’ve heard of people who wouldn’t think to sit and watch a event or a competition, and they’ll say they will watch for a little bit. I’ll go up at the end of the day, and say, you are still here!
“The competitors also ask when the next one is, too.”
Another trial is also held during Stampede Week at the Calnash.
“For that one, you are on horseback, with a dog. It’s the same type of thing, but with cattle,” she explained.
Raugust noted she finds working with the cattle is actually easier than working with sheep.
Sheep are very tricky. They are very sensitive,” she said, adding if they sense movement out of the corner of their eye, they will opt to bolt. This is also partly where you see the innate skills of the dogs as they ‘work’ to navigate the sheep through the obstacles.
“There is a lot of natural instinct.”
Meanwhile, as to the Heritage Classic, Raugust said this will be the first one she will also be taking part in, along with her coordinating and hosting duties.
“For the first year, I felt my dog wasn’t ready. Plus, I didn’t want to compete and host at the same time,” she said.
“Last year, I was pretty determined I was going to do it, but then my dog got hurt.”
When asked what she was looking forward to about being part of the Heritage Classic, she pointed to the challenge.
“It’s fun. The thrill and the power you feel from being able to finish the course with your dog is pretty cool. It fires me right up, too!”
She has also competed in the cattle trials during Stampede Week.
“The first year, I was really nervous. Someone said to me, ‘You do this everyday for a living. So go in there and act like you are going to a pasture or like you are on your feedlot, and get it done!
“So ever since then, and ever since I’ve done a competition, I think how I do this every day. I don’t put pressure on myself, and the dog. And last year, I actually won in my class, which was pretty cool.”
For updates on the Ponoka Agricultural Society, head to www.ponokaagsociety.ca.
As to coming events put on by the society, further information can also be found at www.ponokaageventcentre.ca, or by following the the organization on Facebook.
