The two are practicing for this weekend’s big trial. Hope, a 9 1/2-year-old border collie, is competing in the invitation-only Soldier Hollow Classic, a sheepdog championship and country festival held near Midway.
Gourley said it’s one of the best competitions of the year because it is so difficult.
On the side of a tree-covered hill once used for Olympic skiing, the dogs will have to do five different tasks as part of the trial. The dogs are judged on how well they perform, then receive a total score, with 100 being the top.
Most dogs at the trial will be border collies. Gourley said other breeds just aren’t up to the long runs.
Dogs aren’t allowed to practice on the land before the trial, but Gourley said Hope has competed there for several years and will remember it. The trial organizers rent sheep that aren’t comfortable with dogs, making the competition even harder.
It’s not the trials that keep her going, Gourley said. She attends only about eight a year.
She just loves watching the dogs.
“They’re so amazing at what they can do. They control the sheep, and listen to
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