2024 JUDGES
Sheepdog Finals
Mark Elliott – England
Michael Davidson – England
Kevin Evans – Wales
Norman Close – USA
Cattledog Finals
Michael McNutt – USA
Tim Naasz – USA.
SHEEP NOMINATIONS
Eamonn Connell: Eamonn was raised in a farming background which always had working dog and sheep, cattle and horses. He started his career in 1997 winning the Irish nursery title that year. His career continued with many wins at openlevel and nursery mostly with young dogs he started himself.
- Most notable achievements are:
3 times Irish Reserve National Champion (both in singles and brace) - 3rd Place in International Brace Championship
- Winner of the first ever European Championship
- Finalist at European Nursery Championship
- Finalist at Deerplay Hill trial
- Finalist and Third place in pre International 2021
- Finalist at Dutch open 2023
- 2 times winner of Irish Nursery Titles
- Numerous Open Titles both in Ireland and on the Continent
- Irish World Team member and winner of team gold medal at 2023 World Trial
Nominated by Lorna Savage
Lyle Lad: Lyle Ladd has been trialing at the highest level for nearly 40 years. She is widely known as a fair and knowledgeable judge.
Nominated by George Rodgerson
Ken Price: Ken Price has been a fixture in the North American sheep dog community for over 25 years. Early on, he was a more frequent presence in the trial community, competing successfully in Texas, New Mexico and points south that would hold natural appeal to a Canadian in the far north, with its dark days and frigid temperatures. He often attended trials in eastern Canada, in the summers, both in competitive and judging capacities. He is renowned for his humor and insight. Trial life changed for him when he took on cut block activities, guiding and managing two thousand sheep on tree plantings in the wilderness of northern BC. Summer trials were out of the question, but his practical know how with sheep and dogs was enhanced. Occasionally he does an outstanding job of judging trials in eastern Canada, when he can make it, in the fall. Nominated by Sue Schoen
Michael Davidson: Michael is the sheep manager for a large 42000 acres estate in North Northumberland, running just under 10000 breeding ewes , which are all lambed outside. He judged two trials in North America last year–the Bluegrass Classic, and the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials at Grass Creek Park. Both Trials feature challenging double lifts. Handlers were happy with his judging at both. A Scot, living in England, he was on the team for England last year. He competes regularly in Nursery trials throughout the Nursery season. He has Been on the English team 3 times, with Sweep and Angus twice. Nominated by Amanda Milliken
Sergio Perello: Sergio Perello has been competing throughout the UK and Continental Europe. Winning the English National in 2018, Reserve English Champion in 2021, and finished 7th at the International Supreme in 2017. Sergio was the Reserve English Nursery Champion in 2019, has been a finalist in the Continental three times. Has over 60 Open wins in the UK.In addition to being a strong competitor Sergio has been a sought out judge. He has judged over 100 trials including many esteemed trials in the UK and serveral national championships for Germany, France, and Brazil. Judged the English Nursery Finals in 2018
Nominated by Maggi McClure
Allistair Lyttle: Allistair Lyttle is based in Pettigo, Co. Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland where he farms 250 acres. In addition to shorthorn cattle, Allistair farms sheep including mule crosses (Lanark X Bluefaced Leicester), Lanarks, Cheviots and specializes in pure bred flocks of Bluefaced Leicester and Blue Texels. Allistair started sheepdog trialing at the age of 8 and in addition to breeding and training sheepdogs, he 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. He was Irish National Champion and Reserve Champion in 2017 and also qualified for the Supreme Championship at the International Sheepdog Trial with both dogs in that year. At the 2021 International Trial Allistair was one of only two competitors achieving over 400 points in the qualifying rounds. Overall, he finished in 7th place in the Supreme Championship final at the 2021event. Allistair has extensive experience judging sheepdog trials at all levels both domestically and internationally, including World Trial, Continental Trial, Irish National Trials, Bluegrass Classic, USBCHA National Finals, Texas State Finals, Mississippi State Fair. He has held senior roles at director and council level within the International Sheepdog Society including the position of Irish National President Oct 2018-June 2020. When not sheepdog trialing Allistair enjoys supporting the Irish Rugby team. Judging: Irish National Sheepdog Trial (2002) World Trial (2017) Continental Sheepdog Trial (2017) American National Finals (2010) Bluegrass Classic (2019) Mississippi State Fair (2019) Texas State Finals Multiple local and regional trials across Ireland Competition: Irish National Champion and Reserve Champion 2017. Irish Team Captain 2017 Member of Irish National team 16 times to compete at International Sheepdog Trial Qualified for International Supreme Championship on 8 occasions – placed 7th in September 2021. (Highest placing 5th – 2008) Represented Ireland at World Sheepdog Trial on 4 occasions Winner of ‘Champion of Champions Competition’ at Royal Welsh Show (2018) Qualified to compete at Regional Nursery Final on at least 30 occasions Winner of Regional Nursery Final February 2016 Qualified for 4 Nations Nursery Final March 2019 Qualified for Regional team to participate in interprovincial Championship and North- South Championship on multiple occasions Representing Ireland on UK BBC’s ‘One Man and His Dog’ Competition on 3 occasions – including Young Handler (aged 14 yrs. old), 2010 & 2020. International Sheepdog Society: Held positions at Director and Council level within ISDS for more than 10 years. Irish Vice President 2015-2018 Irish National President 2018-2020
Nominated by Marianna Schreeder
James McLaughlin: Irish national champions 2013 One man and his dog champions 2014 North of Ireland double lift champions Irish national champions 2016 qualified 2dogs Ben and his daughter Lynn Reserve supreme champions by just 1 point 2016 Again, one man and his dog countryfile champions singles 2017. 2018 reserve national champions with Ben jnr Again 2 dogs in the Irish team Ben and his son Ben jnr 2019 Irish team member Ben Who became 1st in qualification for the supreme Sky nursery champions 2021 2023 reserve irish national champions sky, daughter off Ben Sky 2nd 2023 world trial semi final Sky 4th in the world sheepdog trial. Nominated by Pamela Shattuck
Mark Elliott: Mark lives in Cumbria, England. He has been working border collies for 40 plus years, starting at the age of 10. In a recent move, Mark down sized his flock from 850 ewes to 250 ewes but finds time to manage a neighbor’s flock of 800 ewes. The first time Mark competed in the English National trial, he finished 17th, earning him a place on the English Team. In the 2015 English National, Mark competed with 2 dogs, Pat & Tip, finishing 2nd and 5threspectively. Tip also won the Best Drive trophy which was the 3rd time Mark received the honor. He has competed in the International Supreme seven times as a member of the English Team. Mark place 7th at the 2015 International with Pat, and was Reserve Supreme Champion with his dog, Gail, in 2009.
Mark is not only an accomplished handler and shepherd, but a well-respected judge. He has judged countless trials in the UK and in Europe, including the English National, Danish, Nordic and Swedish National trials, as well as the Bluegrass Classic in 2018.
Nominated by Marianna Schreeder
Norm Close: Norman Close is an accomplished Judge that has earned the reputation of being professional, fair, and accurate. He has judged numerous trials in the U.S. and Canada Including the 2011 and 2017 US National Finals, The Big Willow Double lift, Old Chatham, North Carolina State Championships, Hilltop, Phantom Ridge Classic, Sterling Acres, and more. Norman is also accomplished on the trial field winning many open trials, including the Canadian National finals. He is a successful clinician and has traveled throughout the US and Canada, teaching and training. Norman was raised on a mixed farm in Lancashire England and has been working with livestock all his life. In 1980 he immigrated to Alberta Canada to work as a herdsman and now resides in Coeurd’Alene Idaho, with his wife Vickie, together they have a reputable breeding and training program, Handhills Border Collies along with Farm Diggity a sheepdog supply store. Norman’s commitment is to run and breed strong dogs that work well, on the farm, and ranch and are also successful on the trial field.
Nominated by Lori Cunningham
Kevin Evans: Kevin is no stranger to sheepdogs, a few of his many achievements are a 4 time International Supreme winner and 3 time Welsh National Champion. He has judged our National Finals twice previously.
Nominated by Scott Glen
Peter Gonnet: Peter got his first border collie 38 years ago to help him with his work, his dogs are used every day as well as for trailing. He has won the Canadian Championship and has been reserve CBCA Champion, western Canadian driving and WCC nursery Champion, ten times SSDA open Champion. He has judged the USBCHA finals and trials throughout North America.
CATTLE NOMINATIONS
Michael McNutt: My wife Phyllis and I have a small farm in southeastern Ohio where we raise cattle and sheep. I just retired from 40 years of horseshoeing. I spend my time working on the farm training dogs ,giving lessons. We host a lot of clinics and cattle trials. I think people come for Phyllis’s food. Border Collies and trialing have become a big part our lives about 10 years ago .My dogs and I have successfully competed in both cattle and sheep trials. My highlight winning the National sheep finals in nursery in 2019 with my dog Win. My first National cattle finals was in 2015. I fell in love with the sport. My background is in cattle, grew up in small town America where honesty and your word meant everything. I’ve been judging trials for the last 3 years. Judging is one of the most important parts of our trialing community. I love the cattle finals and will miss competing if elected to judge the cattle finals. Thank you for the nomination. Michael McNutt Nominated by Bob Allen
Mike Goracke:Ineligible due to judging last year: My wife, Stephanie, and I live in Brashear, Texas, where we raise, train and trial dogs for both the public and ourselves. I got into working dogs in 1989 after I took a job training horses in SE Oklahoma for Jack Holden. Jack trained a few dogs to help with his horse training operation. The first time I saw him use his dog, Slide, I was hooked. I bought my first trained dog in 1990 and attended my first cow dog trial in 1993. We used dogs to fetch and load roping cattle. After Stephanie decided that she wanted to trial, I followed a couple years later and have never looked backed. It’s a great honor to be nominated to judge the 2024 USBCHA cattle dog finals! Nominated by Marianna Schreeder
Tim Naasz: Past usbcha national cattledog champion…raises registered cattle on his ranch..Uses working dogs both ranch and trial. Nominated by Bob Johnson