From the 2013 July-Aug-Sept AWSS Newsletter
SHELTIES AND THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FRENCH TRIALS
by Linda Rorem
SHELTIES AND THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FRENCH TRIALS
by Linda Rorem
Dancer at the 1997 French trial in Pescadero, CA
Herding trials in France began over a hundred years ago. The traditional trials use large flocks and reflect the practices needed for taking sheep out during the day to be tended as they graze in unfenced fields. In the plains regions, sheep were grazed in compact groups so they would thoroughly mow the field a section at a time, and the dogs also had to keep the sheep from straying into any neighboring crops. In mountain regions, where the vegetation would not support intense grazing, the sheep were allowed to scatter more and the dogs might have to go out at a distance to gather them. Originally the trials only had one level, advanced, but later three levels were developed, I II and III, for started, intermediate and advanced.
In the early 1990’s Terrie Van Alen, president of the Northern California Shetland Sheepdog Herding Club, began corresponding with a Sheltie owner in France. I had also had some contact with people in France due to my interest in herding practices in different countries. As a result of further correspondence, a plan developed to hold an all-breed trial based on the French traditional large-flock trials, to be sponsored by the NCSSHC and the American Herding Breed Association.
Left: Ace at the 1997 Parcours à la Française in Pescadero, CA.
Left: Ace at the 1997 Parcours à la Française in Pescadero, CA.
The first French-style large flock herding trial in North America was held in the fall of 1995 at Shepard Ranch in Santa Rosa, California. The Northern California French trials have been held annually since that time. In 1997, Paul LeGoff came from France to judge at Pescadero, returning to judge in 1999 at Pescadero and at Paicines. Michel Pillard came to judge at Pescadero in 2000 and came back to California to judge in 2011, at Wilton that year. Jean-Michel Jolly came to Wilton in 2010. In the other years, local AHBA judges were used, but all efforts were made to adhere to the rules of the French herding authorities, including using the score sheets used in France. On three occasions – 2003, 2005, and 2009 – the annual French-style trial was held in Gardnerville, Nevada, a little south of Reno.
Right: In the 2000 French trial, Minka worked her flock in the rain.
Right: In the 2000 French trial, Minka worked her flock in the rain.
From 1996 through 2006 the trials were sanctioned by the AHBA for the Herding Ranch Dog title. With the advent of the Ranch Large Flock title in 2007, the sanction has been for the RLF title. In 2005 geese were added to the trials and the large flock goose class has continued to be an enjoyable part of the event. Geese are not used in trials in France, but regularly appear in herding demonstrations there. One year they did take part in a trial in France, however, in that one of the tasks in the trial was to take the flock of sheep past a flock of geese being held in place on the course by another dog and shepherd.
Lacey
works geese in the Parcours à la Française at Gardnerville, Nevada in
2005
Shelties love large-flock work, which gives them an opportunity to work with initiative and in a free-moving manner. They relate very well to the practical-task orientation. These kinds of trials are well suited to the natural talents of the Sheltie.
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Medallion brought by judge Paul Le Goff as a memento for the November 1977 trial |
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Information about the large-flock French trials can be found at:
French trial rules: http://herdingontheweb.com/french.html
French herding practices: http://herdingontheweb.com/french-herding.html
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Jet at the 2014 trial in Wilton, CA