2026 sheepdog finals judge nominations
Russell McCord
Russell McCord’s Bio:
Russell McCord currently lives in Zephyr, Texas with his wife, Andi, keeping 6 to 10 Border Collies in training at all times. He also raises 100+ sheep on their ranch. Russell is a lifetime member of USBCHA and ABCA and is a past president of the Handlers’ Association. He is the current vice president of USBCHA. Russell has served as Chair of the USBCHA Rules Committee on several issues. Russell has competed in sheepdog trials since 1988 and has made several double lift finals including the USBCHA National Finals, Meeker, Bluegrass and Texas State Finals. In 2023, Russell with his open dog, Sally, qualified for the U.S. World Team.
After taking a hiatus from sheepdog trialing to serve as the Director of Judges for the National Cutting Horse Association, he returned to sheepdog trialing and has judged numerous sheepdog trials, including double lift finals. Russell has judged in Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Nominated by Lori Cunningham Â
Allistair Lyttle
Allistair Lyttle’s Bio:
Allistair Lyttle is based in Pettigo, Co. Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland where he farms circ. 250 acres. As well as shorthorn cattle, Allistair farms sheep including mule crosses (Lanark X Bluefaced Leicester), Lanarks, Cheviots and specialises in pure bred flocks of Bluefaced Leicester and Blue Texels. He started sheepdog trialling at the age of 8 and in addition to breeding and training sheepdogs, has travelled globally to provide instruction/improvement clinics to sheepdog handlers. An avid competitor at regional, national and international level, Allistair has qualified for the Supreme Championship at the International Sheepdog Trial on multiple occasions. Allistair has extensive experience judging sheepdog trials at all levels both domestically and internationally, including World Trial, Continental Trial, Irish National Trials, Texas State Finals, American Finals, Mississippi State Fair and most recently Tabletop 2024. Some trialing accomplishments:
• Irish National Champion and Reserve Champion 2017. Irish Team Captain 2017
• Member of Irish National team 17 times to compete at International Sheepdog Trial.
• Qualified for International Supreme Championship on 9 occasions (Highest placing 5th- 2008)
• Represented Ireland at World Sheepdog Trial on 3 occasions, also qualified for 2023 Irish World Trial Team with 2 dogs.
Nominated by Rachel RitlandÂ
Peter Morgan
Peter Morgan writes:
Hi, my name is Peter Morgan. I am from the North of Ireland, where my wife, Bronagh and I, live on a hill sheep farm with a small number of cattle and 400 Scottish blackface ewes. I have been trailing since the early 2000’s. Some of my best achievements include twice winning the Irish National Championships (2021 and 2024), reserve supreme champion (2021), international driving champion (2021), 5 times on the Irish National team, 2 times in the North of Ireland double lift championship, and 2 times a European Nursery Finalist. I was the Vice Chairman and local committee member of the 2023 World Sheepdog Trial held here in Northern Ireland.
Nominated by Rachel RitlandÂ
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