District 1 (2 nominees)
Mary Minor:I am from a fifth generation Nevada ranching family. I was raised with the importance of livestock at the forefront of my existence. I earned scholarships to help pay my way through undergraduate (California Baptist College)/pre-vet (Nevada)/veterinary medical school (University of Missouri) from playing collegiate basketball, academics, and 10 years of 4-H participation. I was also raised with the understanding that volunteerism and community matters. I believe that honesty and work ethics is the cornerstone to success.
Currently I reside back in my hometown Dayton, Nevada, and own/run my own free standing busy multiple doctor veterinary practice. I have been on many scholarship committees at the tech/collegiate/professional level. I am a member of the Nevada Agriculture Foundation promoting the future of agriculture at a grassroots level. My partner, Sandra Massie and I run purebred Merinos and Registered Angus seedstock. We have started and continued the rapidly expanding Northern Nevada Sheepdog Trial over the passed five years.
I am in love the the magic of the sport of sheep dogging. I have been involved tangentially for many years, but only the last six years have I been at the open level, and running fairly competitive. The essence of the traditional bordercollie dog must be preserved. The ethical/stress free handling of livestock must always be held foremost. Admittedly, I am completing my second year as a district 1 HA director, and I am finally learning the “ins and outs” as your representative. During this time I have had many conversations, emails, and telephone consults with members throughout district 1, and have expressed their concerns when needed. I am fully committed as a lifetime member of the USBCHA and hope to evolve into an ambassador for the sport in future years. On a personal note, we are putting forth a bid to host the National Finals in 2021 and I believe staying abreast of USBCHA happenings will help us to do a better job for all open handlers. I would be happy to be your representative for another term.
Haley Hunewill: Haley has been competing in USBCHA sanctioned Nursery & Open Sheepdog & Cattledog trials since 2001; she is a lifetime member of USBCHA. Haley has won two National Nursery Sheepdog Finals and won Reserve Nursery Finals, once. She also won the USBCHA National Cattledog Open Finals; she represented the United States at 2 World Sheepdog Trials in Ireland and Wales. Haley has judged extensively across the United States and Canada, including several double lift finals. She has hosted several USBCHA sanctioned sheepdog trials, both at her own ranch and her family’s ranch over the past 15 years. Haley regularly gives training lessons and offers occasional sheepdog and cattledog clinics to help people progress in training and trialing. She enjoys giving back to the sport as much as she can and would like to run for District One Director for that reason. Having so many years of experience in every aspect of the sport, Haley has a lot to offer, if elected as District One Director.
District 2 (2 nominees)
Jan Stebbins: No Bio has been submitted at this time
Jeanne Bulkley: Withdrawn
District 3 (2 nominees)
Wyatt Fleming:No Bio has been submitted at this time
John Holman:
I am from Clay Center, NE where he is employed by the USDA as a Livestock Research Technician. I began training stock dogs in 1980 when I was hired as Sheep and Horse Herdsman for Mississippi State University. Some of his early mentors include Leroy Boyd, Ralph Pulfer, Lewis Pence, R.T. Averitt, David Rogers, and Hubert Bailey.
I competed in my first sheep dog trial in 1981 and won the Novice class, and started running open field trials in 1986. I have lived, sheared sheep, and raised Border Collies in Mississippi, California and Nebraska and have trialed in sheep and cattle trials all over the US. In 2006 I judged the USBCHA National Cattle Finals in Big Lake, TX; and in 2014 I won the USBCHA National Cattle Finals in Leeton, MO with my dog Lee.
I have been active in several state and regional stock dog organizations and feel I can provide an experienced and steady point of view to the board of the USBCHA. I think that as an organization we can and do showcase Border Collies and this sport very well and I would like to see our handlers concentrate on doing their best, being good sports. It falls upon us to promote our sport in a professional and humane way.
District 4 (2 nominees)
Mike Goracke: I acquired my first Border Collie in 1989 and my first trained dog in 1993 and have been trialing the last 20 years. I come from a rodeo/horse training background and used my dogs daily in the arena and pasture to gather and push our roping steers as needed along with other daily chores.
If elected I will keep my fellow district members up to date on current HA business and work along side the BOD to keep our standards of work and sportsmanship at the highest level while representing district 4 . I created our district 4 Facebook page in 2013 for our members and directors to have a platform to announce and discuss HA business.
I’m a silversmith by trade and have had the honor of making the national finals championship and reserve buckles, team awards and the most promising dog award since 2005. Steph and I also enjoy being able to donate the open and nursery rookie awards.
Kay Stephens: I bought my first border collie pup in 1992 and ran her in my first novice trial in 1995. I continued to trial a limited amount due to my veterinary work until my retirement. I’ve been trialing and training border collies pretty much full time since then. I continue to own my own business doing behavioral counseling for pets.
I have competed in many major trials across the US including the National Finals, the Bluegrass Classic and Meeker, mostly with my home bred, self-trained dogs. I’ve given lessons and trained dog for novice handlers for many years.
I served on TSDA board for 6 years, serving its president for 3 of those years. This involved putting on major trials, daily running of the organization, meetings and revising rules as needed. I have served on USBCHA board for the past 4 years. My interests include keeping the USBCHA accountable and transparent to its membership. I believe it is important to keep the organization professional and proactive to meet the challenges to our sport.
My goals include:
- Training more people as judges and continuing rules education;
- Maintaining the highest level of skill and ability among the dogs/handlers by providing a top-quality National Finals; and
- Encouraging professionalism, collegiality, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose among handlers to promote and protect our sport and these incredible dogs.
District 5 (2 nominees)
Michelle Guderian:
Michelle Guderian is a Realtor by profession, but her passion is Border Collies.
She has been involved with Border Collies since 2001 when she lived in Wyoming and went to spectate at a sheepdog trial. She was told by a couple of top handlers at that trial, “If you don’t want to get addicted, leave now!” She didn’t.
She attends and competes in USBCHA trials when her schedule permits. She feels that this sport needs to be promoted to encourage interest and for new handlers to join in. With marketing being a big part of her profession, it comes natural for her to promote Border Collies and sheepdog trialing, clinics and anything that pertains. She, her husband Tim, and daughter Brenna, have put on trials and brought in clinicians at their Legacy Farm in Mora, MN over the past years.
If she is elected as the Director for District 5 a few of her goals would be to keep the members updated, encourage professionalism, along with promotion of the USBCHA.
She would like to thank to all of the District 5 members for considering her as their Director.
Jennifer Boznos:No Bio has been submitted at this time
District 6 (1 nominee)
Lori Cunningham: I have been involved in training and trialing Border Collies for 25+ years. I have served multiple terms on the HA BOD in the past and co-chaired the 2013 USBCHA National Finals in Virginia. I raise and train all my dogs, and have judged trials throughout the country. I recently retired after a 28 year federal law enforcement career, primarily in the management of high security corrections, and relocated from Pennsylvania to Virginia.
During my prior terms on the HA BOD, I made efforts to keep District 6 members informed of HA business and solicit member opinions and input. I believe that type of communication is a director’s responsibility and I would like to re-establish that practice. My new farm in Virginia is close to the 2020 Finals location and I think it would be beneficial to return to the BOD if elected, to assist as needed with that event. Thank you, District 6, for your consideration
District 7 (1 nominee)
Sue Schoen: No Bio has been submitted at this time
District 8 (5 nominees)
Frank Smith: I am 29 years old and live in Atlanta, GA. I have had border collies for the last 8 years and have trialed in. Open for the last 5 years. I mainly focus on sheep trials but have also competed in a few cattle trials. Due to my work schedule, I am not able to trial as much as I would like. My time away from work is focused on working my dogs and trialing. My passion, for the working border collie and the sport ofherding, is steadfast. As a current USBCHA director, I have enjoyed the opportunity to give back to thesport and hope to do so by continuing as such. I have an increased interest in encouraging the growth of the cattle program as well as supporting the continued growth and popularity of the sheep program. Most importantly, I would like to support and encourage new handlers of my generation to get involved in the sport.
Lucia Skipwith Lilien: No Bio has been submitted at this time
Brian Cash: No Bio has been submitted at this time
Donna Brisban: I have owned Border Collies for over 20 years and have been trialing approximately 15 years in USBCHA sanctioned trials. I am the Editor for the Georgia Stockdog Association newsletter, whose membership is from around the entire southeastern United States. I am a life member of the ABCA, and am on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Rising Border Collie Rescue. I am a retired criminal investigator having worked in law enforcement at the state level and in the private sector for major insurance carriers. I owned my own private investigations firm. Five years ago, I started a national breed club for another breed of dog that my husband is involved with, under the UKC. For a very brief time, in the early days, I was a member of the Border Collie Society of America, the AKC parent club for the Border Collie, and I also edited their magazine.
I think the most important part of any organization is clear communication. As a Director of the USBCHA, I would strive to be sure that my District had any issues brought to the Board’s attention, and to be sure that my District was informed of all necessary decisions and considerations by the USBCHA.
I am devoted to the working Border Collie and to seeing that its future and the future of trialing continues by recruiting new handlers, and by supporting the USBCHA in continuing to pursue excellence in the sport and trials themselves.
Flo Hix: My husband, Larry, and I own Bar Shoe H Livestock in Colbert, GA. The farm operates primarily as a quarter horse breeding facility but we have also raised a commercial herd of cattle along with corriente roping steers and now a small flock of 80 or so hair sheep.
I have trialed on a very limited basis because of obligations to family and farm. With my youngest child graduating high school in 2020 I feel that I will have time to serve and hopefully ready my dogs for trialing. My trialing interests tend more toward the cattle side and the production of trials. We have had a number of both sheep and cattle trials on the farm. My primary focus during these trials has been the welfare of the stock and dogs and the integrity of the events.
I have to be honest and say that it is not a goal of mine at this point in my life to qualify for the National Sheep Dog Finals. I qualified one dog for the Cattle Dog Finals this year in Nursery and, as I said, that is where my interest lies. That said, I do hope to make it to the Finals as a spectator and photographer or perhaps even a horseback setout person. I am, if nothing else, a hard worker. It would be an honor to continue my learning curve by serving my district.
District 9 (1 nominee)
Amanda Milliken: I have a better than thirty year history with competitive sheep dog trialling. I won the US National finals in 2005 with my home bred and trained Bart. I won the US National Nursery Finals with Dorey nine years ago. Meanwhile I have competed in most major trials in the USA and Canada, fairly successfully. I was the founding president of the CBCA, Canada’s National Register of Border Collies. I began, and continue to run, one of North America’s largest trials, the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials, now in its thirty second year. In addition, I host trials at my home farm in Kingston. I keep a flock of mostly North Country Cheviots. I am the CEO of Home Cardiographics, based at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston Ontario. I have served several terms on this board before and look forward to continued input
District 10 (1 nominee)
Louanne Twa: No Bio has been submitted at this time
Director at Large (6 nominees)
Stuart Ballantyne: No Bio has been submitted at this time
Stephanie Goracke: I have been involved in trialing and training border collies for 20+ years. My full time job does not allow me to make as many trials as I would like to, but I get around a fair bit! As a current USBCHA Director at Large I have set up a FB page to share pertinent information and have had many conversations with folks around the country pertaining the USBCHA business. I have enjoyed serving as a board member and would enjoy doing so for another term. thanks
Thad Fleming:No Bio has been submitted at this time
Cindy Good:No Bio has been submitted at this time
Macy McGraw: I want to build on the foundation that USBCHA has established of promoting trials and the working Border collie. I support constructive communication with membership. I want to highlight the experience and talents that exist within the handler base.
I started herding in 2012 and joined USBCHA in 2013, but my time with Border Collies began many years before trialing. I grew up on a farm in Western Colorado with Cattle, Horses and of course dogs. Our dogs were part of the family and worked around stock by not competitively. It wasn’t until moving to Arizona that I found my way to herding…in a need to find jobs for my dogs. Since my inception into USBCHA, I have been highly involved in growing the venue in Arizona and providing a facility for handlers to train and compete.
We started with hosting with 1 trial in 2013 and today we host 4 major trial weekends (6 trials / 4 fields and 2 arenas) including a double lift trial. We provide the opportunity for handlers to compete on both farm and range stock situations. We host several top clinicians for lessons and clinics each year in an effort to provide quality and varied instruction both from United States and abroad.
My family has been an integral part in establishing our path in USBCHA. Today my mom (Peg McGraw) and I have the pleasure of travel the herding path together.
I am a high energy, hard working person with a strong love and passion for this sport. I have a lot of ideas as to how we can improve our organization. I look forward to continuing to meet handlers from all over the United States and being a part of growing and strengthening the sport and organization we love. Thank you for your consideration for Director at Large for USBCHA
I want to build on the foundation that USBCHA has established of promoting trials and the working Border collie. I support constructive communication with membership. I want to highlight the experience and talents that exist within the handler base.
I started herding in 2012 and joined USBCHA in 2013, but my time with Border Collies began many years before trialing. I grew up on a farm in Western Colorado with Cattle, Horses and of course dogs. Our dogs were part of the family and worked around stock by not competitively. It wasn’t until moving to Arizona that I found my way to herding…in a need to find jobs for my dogs. Since my inception into USBCHA, I have been highly involved in growing the venue in Arizona and providing a facility for handlers to train and compete.
We started with hosting with 1 trial in 2013 and today we host 4 major trial weekends (6 trials / 4 fields and 2 arenas) including a double lift trial. We provide the opportunity for handlers to compete on both farm and range stock situations. We host several top clinicians for lessons and clinics each year in an effort to provide quality and varied instruction both from United States and abroad.
My family has been an integral part in establishing our path in USBCHA. Today my mom (Peg McGraw) and I have the pleasure of travel the herding path together.
I am a high energy, hard working person with a strong love and passion for this sport. I have a lot of ideas as to how we can improve our organization. I look forward to continuing to meet handlers from all over the United States and being a part of growing and strengthening the sport and organization we love. Thank you for your consideration for Director at Large for USBCHA
Cy Peterson: Cy Peterson is a Georgia native and currently resides on her farm in Canton where she lives with her husband Larry and 9 border collies. She raises both Katahdin and Border Leicesters. She competed successfully and was nationally recognized for decades in the American Quarter Horse Association in both English and Western styles. Because of the horses, she became aware of Border Collies and started trialing approximately 12 years ago. Years of training and competing with Quarter Horses gave her the foundation to quickly achieve success upon entering the competitive world of sheep dog trialing. She has competed successfully at the open level for many years and now is highly sought for judging engagements. Cy is a past officer of both the Georgia Stock Dog Association and Kentucky Border Collie Association. She is currently treasurer of the American Border Collie Association Heath and Education Foundation.