Open Class..... are you kidding?

There is a saying.... Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.

Moving up to open was a tough decision for me. I felt that neither Cait nor I were really ready. But I thought it was time to challenge myself and Cait. After all.... it's just a bigger Pro novice course, right?

NOT!

It plays in your mind.

When you step up to the same post as some big hats it's scary! You think... what I'm I doing here? I am going to make a fool of myself. I am going to get laughed right off this field.

Dogs that have been to the big trials... Meeker, Soldier Hollow, Blugrass and, of course, the finals. How can Cait compare to these dogs? She can't do a 1000 yard outrun. She doesn't have a solid lookback. Her redirects suck. She can't move those tough old range ewes. Can my little home grown dog compete against these?

I know how important positive thinking is. So I have to think, yeah, my Cait can do it! She might not be the most powerful dog. She might not have the most correct flanks and sometimes gets a little excited and naughty. But she has, what I think is, a huge part of what these other successful open dogs have. She has heart and willingness and try.
I have my faults also. I get too nervous and can't think straight. I put way too much pressure on myself. There is so much I don't know. I get confused and don't know what to do when things happen. But I'm learning.

Also... it's not the right attitude to have... and it's not fair to either Cait or me...to be comparing ourselves to these others. I am a beginner; I don't have years of experience. Cait is still a young dog with miles and miles to go. We have to go out and do the best we can do. Improve on our imperfections and reach for new goals, Take the lessons we have learned in the past and apply them. Just do our best and time will tell... maybe Cait and I will get there one of these days

I think of some of the people I admire in the sport and some of the dogs that stick out in my mind… and while they might not have won the world they have that something special. In my eyes Cait has that something special too.

One of my favorite quotes that sums it up....

It's not the critic who counts -
Nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat, and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he fails, at least knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

We may never win the finals. Hell, we may never even make it to the finals or be invited to Soldier Hollow... but that's ok. As a good friend of mine once told me... It's not the destination but the journey.

So ready or not here we come all you open dogs and handlers!! Better watch your backs cause we will be creeping up on you before you know it!

I know I have told my friends this before but...

I am not perfect and Cait is not perfect... but together we are perfection.
At least at this moment and time we are...and for now, that’s enough.

　

Zeke

I can't say enough good things about Zeke.  We have been together for 4 years now and he has taught me more than I can ever say.  We have had our up and downs but he has never given up on me, clueless as I have been.   He has not taught me just about trialing and sheep and competing but about pride, loyalty and being true to who you are.  He never tries to pretend to be something he is not. 

He has taught me that winning is not everything... that its not really important at all.  Sometimes just walking off the field and being happy with a small part of yourself and your dog is more rewarding than a silly blue ribbon.  Be happy with what you have accomplished today and don't beat yourself up for failures... live through it, learn from it and then go out, practice some more and do better the next time.

 He has taught me that what other people think doesn't really matter.... most times they only see a tiny part of the picture or what they want to see. 

He has taught me the importance of how my feelings, thoughts and actions affect others.  If you have a positive attitude others around you will too.

He has taught me patience and focus and timing. He has shown me how to read sheep.  He has helped me not to be so selfish.  He has taught me how to be happy with me and what I do.  He has taught me that I really don't know everything.  He has given me the ability to be a better partner.  He has taught me how to trust.

He has taught me a very obvious fact of life.... at the end of the day, win or lose, if you are doing what you love to do.... then that day was a good day.  This simple dog has taught be to be a better person in all aspects of my life. 

I have made many, many mistakes with him.  His honesty, kindness and sacrifices have helped me in so many ways.  Every time I work him he teaches me something more.  I am just now learning what a great dog he really is.  This guy has a sense of honor that I will never find in another dog. 

He humbles me everyday.

Picture taken by my  good friend, Barb.  Thanks!