Tucker Creek Australian Shepherds

Three days of ASCA shows and trials. We are having Mr Ernest Hartnagle and Carol Ann Hartnagle coming to Thunder Bay to judge some shows and trials. Marie Murphy from Wisconsin will also be judging conformation and stock.

Friday evening - April 25th, 2008, we are hosting a small, limited entry, Post Advanced Trial in the big field. Following this there will be two ASCA conformation shows, judges Ernie Hartnagle and Carol Ann Hartnagle. For those of you who don't know, these two judges are family and Ernie was one of the original people who developed the ASCA breed standard for the Australian Shepherd. He has been a stockdog judge and conformation judge for more than 30 some years. In his 80's now, Ernie doesn't officially judge anywhere but is making an exception to travel to Canada.

Saturday morning April 26th, 2008 we will start with another regular stock trial - sheep, cattle and ducks - followed by a small limited entry PAT judged by Marie Murphy. We will also have an Obedience trial held Saturday judged by Carol Ann Hartnagle and special awards for Most Versatile Aussie (MVA) requiring one qualifying score in stock and a "q" in obedience as well as a conformation evaluation performed by either Ernie and/or Carol Ann (TBA). We are hoping to offer a MVOB - Most Versatile Other Breed award if the entries for other breeds are keen.

April 25, 26, 27, 2008

The highlight of the weekend will be an "Evening with Ernie Hartnagle and daughter Carol Ann Hartnagle" (Saturday night ). As pillars in the Aussie community and having recently written a beautiful book on the account and history of the Australian Shepherd from first-hand experience - Ernie gave a similar talk at the ASCA Nationals in New Jersey. Attendance was incredible. I personally am always amazed to see how well liked and respected this family is in the dog world for all their contribution to the working, performance AND conformation dog.

Ernie's talk will include a history of this breed but anyone interested in the breeding and careful understanding of lines and the pillars in any breed. The book itself - "The Complete Australian Shepherd" is a testament to the Aussie, (wish there was one for every breed) but is a keen look at the structure and design of the working dog and its transgression to the show ring.

Ernie will be talking about this as well during his talk, as the group attending, I suspect, is not all Aussie folk. He is aware of this and is modifying the talk so he can use it as a model talk on the development and history of "a" breed, and how the conformation and performance venues have changed original design.

Both Carol Ann and Ernie have years of experience with pedigrees, bloodlines, judging both conformation and herding, and look at things with a "total" dog in mind. This talk will be held at the local Norester Resort Hotel minutes up the road. Also a great place to stay with pets - lots of beautiful fields to run with dogs and two minutes from the show /trial site.

Click here for a flyer announcement

Sunday April 27th, 2008, we will finish with a small stock trial judged by Ernie himself followed by a conformation show judged by Marie Murphy. This should be a wonderful weekend.

Even if you are not an Aussie person - this is a chance to listen to one of the finest dog men around. And they are fast disappearing. A chance to listen to someone who worked a couple thousand head of sheep and cattle through the Colorado Rockies before Vale and Aspen were there, is a rare opportunity indeed. I have listened to Ernie and as a speaker, he is most amazing. He has a wonderful voice and a slight southern (west) lilt. The stories are about people and their dogs. As a stockman and a horseman - he comes with an extraordinary background we can all enjoy.

Finally, I have three handlers who have excelled in both ASCA and the CKC and AKC arena trials who will be here two days in advance and we will be offering a mini clinic for people to get some instructional time prior to the weekends events. More details to come soon - will be posted on the site www.tuckercreek.net

So please set this date on your calendar - if you know an Aussie person let them know - ifyou are a stock person and know another they too would be interested I'm sure. I know I am not breed blind and love to learn from anyone - whether it's Aussie or not - especially when they have so many years of perspective to draw on.

The premium is available on the web-site at http://www.tbasco.com/2008_events.htm You can e-mail me privately also at tuckercr@tbaytel.net

Click here for a Microsoft Word trial flyer!

Click here for a .pdf trial flyer! (see note below regarding .pdf files)

Note:

If you are unable to download the premiums or entry forms, please contact Tanya at tuckercr@tbaytel.net and one will be mailed to you.

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