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Elections for Officers
Nominations for Officers of the USBCHA are now open to USCHA membership, and must be received by the Secretary no later than October 5. Details and descriptions of the positions are available here
Proposed Bylaw Change Affecting Qualifying for Open Sheepdog Finals
The results of the vote to change the way in which Open dogs qualify for the 2021 National Sheepdog Finals are:
129 in favor of the proposed change
173 opposed to the proposed change
Qualifying will remain the same as in past years.
Details are here
Grant Available to offset COVID-19 Trial Expenses
The United States Border Collie Handlers Association is pleased to announce the USBCHA Porta-Potty Payback Program (PPPP), a grant of $150 per sanctioned event to assist trial hosts in offsetting the added costs of satisfying local guidelines and regulations for outdoor gatherings, and to enhance the protection of trial participants from COVID-19 infections. The program will be in effect while Interim Rules Pertaining to COVID-19 are in place. More information and a grant application form can be found here. Check the COVID-19 menu for more trial resources for both trial hosts and handlers.
Purina Award Winner
USBCHA and Purina Pro Plan are pleased to announce the Nestle Purina Award for the Outstanding Field Trial Herding Dog for the 2019-20 trial year was won by Faansie Basson and Jack. The final standings are available here
Sponsors
The American Border Collie Association (ABCA) is the country’s border collie registry and has been the long-time partner of the USBCHA. 
Paw Print Genetics is excited to continue their partnership with the USBCHA throughout 2020. Please use the following discount code: USBCHA20.
Read more about this discount. 
The USBCHA is pleased to announce the Nestle Purina Award For The Outstanding Field Trial Herding Dog.
This is an annual award honoring North America’s top winning field trial herding dog from trials held throughout the year. The owner of the winning dog will receive an oil painting of their dog, a cash prize of $1,000.00 ($2,000.00 if they are an active Purina Pro Club member) and a year’s supply of Pro Plan dog food for the dog.
Latest News
Click the posts below for the latest updates to rules, elections and other information...
Trial Insurance no longer available through USBCHA
During a comprehensive review of the USBCHA General Liability (GL) Insurance policy, our insurance carrier informed us that the USBCHA GL Insurance policy could only be applied to events hosted by the USBCHA and that trial hosts would have significant gaps in coverage if the USBCHA offered coverage to sanctioned trials not hosted by the Read more about Trial Insurance no longer available through USBCHA[…]
2020 Election of Directors
The votes have been counted and the following members have been elected to serve on the USBCHA Board of Directors: District 1 – Joe HaynesDistrict 2 – Jamie SpringDistrict 3 – Bob AllenDistrict 4 – Russell McCordDistrict 5 – Mike NearyDistrict 6 – Bob WasherDistrict 7 – Mitch FerraroDistrict 8 – Marianna SchreederDistrict 9 – Read more about 2020 Election of Directors[…]
Trialing in the time of COVID
Last year I was invited to judge the Cedar Stone Farm trial in Cambridge WI by trial host Merry Russel. I’m always honored to be asked to judge a trial but little did I know at the time that this would turn out to be the first trial in the Midwest to be held in Read more about Trialing in the time of COVID[…]
July 29th Directors Meeting
The USBCHA Board of Directors met in extraordinary session by teleconference on July 29th to further discuss issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters. Due to the amount of work involved in addressing legal and liability issues arising out of COVID-19, the USBCHA will investigate the feasibility of engaging independent counsel to draft Read more about July 29th Directors Meeting[…]
July Directors Meeting Minutes
The USBCHA Board of Directors met Wednesday July 8th by teleconference to discuss further developments arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. There were three interim rules added to the Association rules and applying to all sanctioned trials. Hosts are required to follow the local rules and regulations applying to the state in which the trial is Read more about July Directors Meeting Minutes[…]
Interim Rule Changes
At their July Directors Meeting, the USBCHA approved the following rule changes pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. These rule changes are effective immediately and until further notice: PART II a: INTERIM RULES PERTAINING TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Adopted July 8, 2020. Interim rules will remain in effect for 90 days from the date of adoption unless Read more about Interim Rule Changes[…]
UPDATE ON TRIAL SANCTIONING REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR TRIALS AFTER AUGUST 1, 2020
The USBCHA has affirmed its decision to resume sanctioning of sheepdog and cattledog trials scheduled on or after August 1, 2020. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is still among us, it is important for trial hosts and handlers to exercise the utmost caution when attending USBCHA trials and events. To facilitate this, USBCHA has instituted Read more about UPDATE ON TRIAL SANCTIONING REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR TRIALS AFTER AUGUST 1, 2020[…]
June 2020 Directors’ Meeting Minutes
The Board of Directors June 2020 meeting minutes are now available.
2021 Directors Nominations
Time to nominate USBCHA District Directors. You are eligible to nominate a district director from your district and a director at large from any district as long as you are a current General member or Life member who has met the requirement for General membership. No one can be nominated to both positions. PLEASE MAKE Read more about 2021 Directors Nominations[…]
USBCHA National 2020 Cattledog Finals Cancelled Due to Covid-19
On the advice of the 2020 National Cattledog Trial Committee, USBCHA has canceled the 2020 National Cattledog Finals scheduled for October 14-18 at Sandeen Farm in Blakesburg, Iowa due to the Covid-19 pandemic.