Current Nominations-Scroll to bottom for judge bios-Nominations are closed, directors are voting. Final results will be posted after they are confirmed after March 1
SHEEP
Mosse Magnusson
Larry Burch
Jean Gellings
Dennis Gellings
Peg Anderson
Norm Close
Jennifer Clark-Ewers
Shane Harley
Karen Child
Michael Gallagher
Wilda Bahr
Cattledog:
Steve McCall
Bob Salmon
BIOS
SHEEP
Mosse Magnusson:Mosse was already a very successful handler in Sweden when he and his wife, Lotta, moved to the UK and took care of Ardormie Farm with 500 Easy Care sheep. Then in December 2015 they moved to Midderry Farm. Mosse trains sheepdogs for work and trials as well as competing in trials with his own dogs. 2019 Mosse judged the Kingston Sheepdog Trials, the largest trial in North America with over 150 entries. The trial includes a double lift final with a full International style course. His judging was excellent. He is a knowledgable handler, has an excellent eye for dogs and can translate his enormous experience to consistent competent judging.
I recommend his unreservedly to judge our National Finals
Scandinavian Champion 2009, Continental Champion 2003, 7 x Swedish National Champion, 6x Member Scottish National Team, 3rd International Supreme 2014, 8th International Supreme 2013, 6th World Trial 2005, Over 50 Open wins UK, Over 200 Open wins Sweden
Nominated by Beverly Lambert, Liz Stenning
Larry Burch: My interest in Border Collies started when I watched my Uncle use a pair of Border Collies to gather several herds of dairy cattle for his ABS business in California, I was 10 years old at the time. My grandfather Burch also had several Border Collies that he used on a daily basis, of course they weren’t trained to the level that we see today! I bought my first Border Collie at the age of 19! I started competing in local trials in 1980, I was hooked! From there I started traveling to several regions of the United States competing, mainly in Open classes. In my opinion I’ve had the pleasure of owning several good dogs. I use the Border Collies both on the farm for daily chores and also for competition on the trial field. I wouldn’t keep a dog if they weren’t capable of moving a ewe with a wet lamb or working cattle properly. I own 150 momma cows and about 100 North Country Cheviot ewes that pasture lamb in the Spring, so I need help! I have judged in the states of Washington, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Pennslyvania, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee,. Honestly I’ve had the opportunity to judge more, but of course prefer to run my dogs! I’ve been lucky to make it to 3 to 5 trials per year the last 10 years due to kids activities, farm activities, grandkids, and just life in general! I have won top dog of the year awards numerous years in the Arkansas association, Mid States association and Show Me Stock Dog League. I’ve participated in the semi finals and finals at Meeker several times and also have been in the semi finals and finals at the USBCHA finals. I would consider it an honor to judge the national finals and you can depend on me to be fair, honest, impartial and hard working. Thanks for your consideration.
Nominated by Wyatt Fleming
Dennis & Jean Gellings: Dennis and Jean live in British Columbia, Canada and have a family of 2 Sons and 1 Daughter, and 8 Grandchildren which they thoroughly enjoy. We went to our first dog clinic in 1988, Dennis wanted a dog that wouldn’t sit in the gate and Jean wanted one to bring in the milk cows. Dogs at that time were used on our ranch for moving up to 350 Mother cows and 2700 yearlings. It was after our first clinic that we got 1 Ram and 3 Ewes to train dogs on, they were culls so we soon decided we might as well have good ewes, we started with 25 and built up our flock to 300 that we still run today. Dennis has done numerous clinics, and we have tried to promote the Border Collie for many years, we have hosted fun days and have a trial with a double lift every year. Dennis and Jean have competed and judged throughout North America, and have won many Major trials over the years. We are the first couple to have both won the Soldier Hollow Classic, Dennis has also won the Meeker Classic twice, and the Canadian Finals three times. We were very fortunate and travelled to Britain many times for the Supreme International, and met many top handlers who invited us to their farms to watch and work dogs. Some of these handlers have become very good friends to name a few, R.B. Henderson, Julie Hill and the late Johnny Wilson. We were in Ireland for their first Supreme International and Dennis also competed in the World Trial held there in 2005. Dennis has been invited by the Canadian Border Collie Association to compete in the World Trial being held in England this fall as he was Open and Reserve Champion at the Canadian Finals in August 2019.
Nominated by Angie Coker-Sells
Peg Anderson:Peg Anderson lives and works on a sheep farm in Northern Michigan. She has been sharing her days with sheep and border collies for about 20 years. Peg has been competing in sheepdog trials since 2003 and has participated in the USBCHA National Finals since 2007, finishing in the top 17 on two occasions. She represented the US at the World Trial in 2011 and 2014 and served on the ABCA Board of Directors for 6 years. “Judging sheepdog trials in different areas of the country, spending those days focused on the sheep, the clever dogs, and their hardworking handlers has been an enjoyable and enriching experience. I always aim to reward solid and practical dog work, to consider the welfare of the sheep, and to maintain an honest and fair approach to each and every handler/dog team.”
Nominated by Tracee Treadwell
Norm Close: Norman Close is an experienced judge with a well earned reputation for being professional and fair. He has judged the USBCHA National Finals twice, as well as many other large and prestigious trials including the Big Willow trials Double Lift, Phantom Ridge Classic, Old Chatham, the North Carolina State Championships, Hilltop, Sterling Acres, and many more. Norman is also a successful competitor on the trial field, winning many open trials and is a past Canadian Champion. He has travelled throughout the US and Canada training and teaching. Norman was raised on a mixed farm in Lancastershire, England, and has been working with livestock all his life. In 1980, he immigrated to Alberta, Canada to work as a herdsman. He now resides in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, with his wife Vickie. Together they have a reputable breeding and training program, Handhills Border Collies. Norman’s commitment is to breed dogs that work well on the farm or ranch and are also successful on the trial field. Norman and Vickie also run Farm Diggity, a sheep dog supply store.
Nominated by Lori Cunningham, Brian Ricards
Jennifer Clark-Ewers: Jennifer has been training and teaching for 20 years. She has multiple major accomplishments, on the trial field, including reserve at the National Finals Nursery in both 2001 and 2008. Jennifer has an extensive judging resume, and has judged every major trial in the U.S. and Canada., including past judging assignments at the US National Championship, Soldier Hollow, Blue Grass and Kingston. Jennifer enjoys judging as a way to give back to the sport.
Nominated by Patrick Grannan
Shane Harley: Shane Harley has been training and trialing dogs for close to 30 years. He has been very successful in both sheepdog and cowdog trials with accomplishments of winning Fireridge Sheepdog trial, Reserve Champion National Cattledog, Champion Klamath Rodear and many more. Shane is always honored when someone asks him to judge and takes it very seriously. He loves watching all the different types of dogs and their handlers and is very aware how much time and effort it takes to make it to the Open.
Nominated by Joe Haynes, Liz Stenning
Michael Gallagher: Michael Gallagher is an accomplished handler who, at 31 years of age, was the 2005 International Young Handler.He was the 2010 International Supreme Champion, 2013 and 2014 Canadian National Champion, 2013 and 2014. Kingston Double Lift Final Champion, 2014 USBCHA Final 4th place finisher, 2008, 2010 and 2011 North of Ireland. Double Lift Champion, 7-time Irish National Team Member and third at the 2011 World Sheepdog Finals. Michael has judged major international trials in the UK, Europe, and North America, including the Belgium National Finals, Kingston, the Bluegrass Classic, USBCHA Finals and the All Ireland Inter Provincial Double Lift Gather Final. He is a highly respected judge and handler.
Nominated by Mike Neary
Wilda Bahr: Wilda Bahr has been trialing for over 25 years and judging for about 15 years. On the trial field, she has enjoyed considerable success and consistently qualified for the National Finals, qualifying for the double lift there and at Soldier Hollow. She has judged big trials and small, including Big Willow, Fire Ridge, Trailing of the Sheep, Palm Cottage, the Carbondale benefit trial, Hotchkiss and many others. She has trained dogs and students. She served 2 terms on the USBCHA Board. All of this speaks to her competence to judge: a thorough familiarity with the rules and an understanding of the difficulties and challenges of trialing. However, while success as a handler may be a necessary qualification to judge our National Finals, it is not sufficient. At least equally important is to have demonstrated the right temperament to be a successful judge at such an important venue: the ability to bring the same judgment to a long succession of teams coming to the post, to remain focused and impartial, and to have the courage to make some difficult calls. Wilda has a well-earned reputation for fairness that would serve all handlers well at the National Finals.
Nominated by Lori Chamberlain
CATTLEDOGS
Steve McCall: Married to Betty Gayle, 2 daughters. Herdsman on dairy farm 35 yrs. Currently working under Genex Corp. Has judged 2 past national cattledog finals. Judged both sheep and cattle trials
Nominated by Bob Johnson
Bob Salmon: Bob along with his wife Susan, own and operate Salmon Ranch in rural Appleton City, MO. The ranch’s managed grazing operation consists of a 200 hd cow/calf herd and a flock of North Country Cheviot ewes. Bob got his first border collie in 1997 to help with the livestock operation. The trial field soon followed. Bob has been competing in both cattle and sheep trials for over 20 years, including the National Cattle Dog Finals. Bob has been judging trials the past several years throughout the Mid-West and is always honored to be asked. He has judged trials in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Salmon Ranch provided a major contribution to the 2013, 2014, & 2015 USBCHA National Cattle Dog Finals by providing the cattle for the event all three years. For the 2014 finals Bob was asked to represent ABCA on the Cattle Dog Finals Committee.
Nominated by Wyatt Fleming