BIOS
SHEEP
Angie Coker-Sells: Angie lives on her family’s ranch in central Oklahoma with her husband Scott and daughter Kyann. They maintain a flock of 300 White Dorper ewes, a small herd of Kiko goats and Angus cross cows. Angie has been trialing and training Border Collies for 31 years. To date she is the youngest person to win the USBCHA Open Finals and the first handler to win Open and Reserve Championships at the same Finals. She is the second of only 4 women to have won the Open Finals. Additionally Angie is a twice Reserve National Champion , twice National Nursery Champion , Meeker Classic Champion and Solider Hollow Champion. Angie has the honor of being the first woman from North America to judge the finals and has judged it twice, The Bluegrass Classic twice and The Meeker Classic in addition to numerous other trials across the country over the years. Nominated by Laura Vishoot
Bruce Fogt:
Bruce Fogt acquired his first Border Collie pup in 1976 from his neighbor, the nationally recognized stock dog trainer, Lewis Pence. Shortly after beginning to train his first dog, Bruce began training stock dogs for others; friends with sheep who needed a dog. This soon became an enjoyable part time business. Then, in 1981, he turned his hobby into a full time occupation. Since that time he has trained hundreds of dogs for farm use and trial competition. In 1996 he published a book titled “Lessons From A Stock Dog”, training guide for people interested in training their own stock dog.Bruce has trialed extensively throughout the U.S. and has competed and judged in trials as far away as South Africa. He is a two-time winner of the United States Border Collie Handlers Association National Finals, and has won the prestigious “Purina Award for The Outstanding Field Trial Herding Dog.” He has judged many trials over the years, including the National Finals on four occasions. Bruce, his wife Linda, and daughter Haley, live on a sheep farm near Sidney, Ohio, where they raise and train Border Collies. Nominated by Mike Neary
Michael Gallagher: Michael Gallagher is an accomplished handler who, at 21 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, 9-time Irish National Team Member, 2019 Irish National Champion 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. 2-times Irish National & International driving Champion. He is a highly respected judge and handler. Nominated by Mary Minor
Don Helsley: Don Helsley is one of North America’s most respect handlers and trainers, with over 30 years of competing, and actively judging over the last 20 years. He has judged numerous prestigious trials across the country, including the Canadian Finals, the USBHCA National Finals, Soldier Hollow, the Meeker Classic and the Bluegrass Classic (twice). He has also successfully competed in numerous trials and double lift Finals. Prior to raising and training Border Collies, Don trained and showed cutting horses. After 35 years with Idaho Power, Don now devotes all of his time to training, trialing, and teaching, including giving valuable judging clinics. Don is a quiet man, with a reputation for fairness and honesty. He has succeeded in the trialing world – not only as a competitor but also as a well-respected judge.Nominated by Mary Minor
CATTLE
Milton Scott: Milt began training dogs in 1985 and trialing in 1989. He has worked for a large farming operation located near Calgary, Alberta for 32 years and has been the General Manager since 2006. He regularly works his dogs on cattle and sheep. Among his sheep and cattle trialing successes, Milt has been a 3-time Western Canadian DL Finals winner, 2-time Calgary Stampede winner, 2-time Regina Agribition winner, the winner of the Alberta Super Dog numerous times, as well as numerous cattle trial wins both mounted and on-foot. Milt is knowledgeable of the USBCHA Judging Rules for both sheep & cattle and currently serves as a District 10 USBCHA Director and has judged several double lift trials. Nominated by Marianna Schreeder