World Sheepdog Trials – 2023 Team USA

Dave Imas and Wyatt

I started herding with an Australian Cattledog pulled from a shelter in California back in 1998.  From there a couple years were spent in ASCA and finally finding Border Collies and the USBCHA in 2006.

At one point or another I’ve worked with almost every top handler and trainer in North America.  Hitting the road for lessons and clinics, studying videos became a weekly ritual in an attempt to better understand both dogs and livestock. Given our wonderful community, I have also been very fortunate to have a few extremely generous individuals mentor and guide me along the way.

Wyatt

I picked up wee Wyatt from Maureen Robinson at Meeker in 2016.  A tri colored bundle of fuzz as cute as any puppy has a right to be.  We first exposed Wyatt to livestock at 8 months old, quickly realizing he wasn’t ready for anything more than running straight through sheep.  It took months before real training began.  In hindsight, I probably should have waited till he was 2 years old before starting him.  Wyatt showed a lot of potential but was a very forward dog with one speed for everything… too fast.  It was a sometimes painful process but Wyatt began showing signs of being a good dog when he was 3.  He has since grown into a very useful farm dog, and with more miles, a strong trial dog.  Like many, we lost a few years to the Covid Pandemic but Wyatt has come out of it well and we are very honored to represent the U.S. at the World Trial.

Ron Burkey and Rocky

Ron Burkey and Rocky
I began my journey with the sheep dogs in the late 1990’s with a half Border Collie and half Kelpie and the book called The Farmer’s Dog. At the time I had a herd of goats and that is what I used. I managed to get him to bring the goats to me but could not keep him from doing so whenever he chose. Once he even brought them in the front door of my shop. Next I got a pure Kelpie and I did a better job of training him. About this time I heard about the Texas Hill Country Stockdog Association and went to one of their play days. I was quickly hooked and soon had a BC. I started trialing in the novice class with these two dogs. By the time I got my third BC and attended several Jack Knox clinics I was on my way to this great adventure I never could have imaged at that time. I ran in my first National Finals in 2002 and have only missed one final since that time. This is the third time I have qualified for the World Trial. I went to the Netherlands in 2017 with two. Rocky qualified in 2020 when the event was canceled. I am very proud and happy to be able to represent the United States this year. 

Rocky

 I bought Rocky from Dennis & Jean Gellings in 2013. He has been a good dog for me even though we have struggled to be consistent. Rocky won the TSDA nursery championship after having won 12 nursery trials around the US. This is Rocky’s second time to qualify for the world trial. He is a multiple time qualifier for the final round at the National Finals, Meeker, Texas Finals and the Blue Grass this past year as well as at many local trials.  

Mike Neary and Bella

It is a real honor and privilege to be one of the team members for the USA World Trial Team. I can assure everyone that I will work hard to get my dog and I ready for the World Trial to represent the USA to the best of our ability. We’ll do our best. 

My wife, Dana, and I live near Brookston, IN. I’m a semi retired sheep specialist for Purdue University. We have a small farm with around 100 ewes and I use the dogs to help manage them. 

I’ve been in dogs for many years, having started with my first pup when I was in graduate school to help me manage the University sheep flock. From just wanting a work dog, to learning about training, to beginning to trial in Pronovice classes, moving to open, to the final culmination of representing the USA on the world stage. It’s been a great ride, a real passion, and I’ve made some great friends along the way. The dogs have taken me a lot of places and now they’ll take me to Ireland. 

The dog I’ve qualified is Bella. She’s a just turned 6 year old bitch off of my good bitch, Sis. Bella has been run a bit sporadically due to Covid and raising pups. She has always been a bit overshadowed by her mother, but has been really been coming into her own this last season. She’s a dog with much balance and feel for her stock, and knows where to be. 

One thing that is special to me about Bella is her sire is Emil Leudecke’s Zac. Emil was one of my great friends until he passed way a couple of years ago. Bella is a daily reminder to me of my friend Emil. 

This is Bella’s first time qualifying for the World Trial. Her mother, Sis, qualified for the 2020 World Trial that was cancelled due to the world pandemic. 

I wish to thank everyone for their support of the USA team. It’s gratifying to have the support of much of the Border Collie community. Thank you so much!

Marianna Schreeder and Star

I am thrilled to join Team USA in an amazing journey and will do my best to represent the United States at the World Trial. 

I was introduced to Border Collies by my mother, Nancy Schreeder, in 1999. Although I had a bit of a slow start, my first trials were in 2002. I recall saying to several friends, “I’ll never trial my dogs, I only want to work them on the farm”. Fate had other plans. I was “hooked” after starting my first border collie and was taught more than I realized by one of my mother’s retired open dogs. I learned much from my mother both on and off the field. We enjoyed traveling and trialing together until she retired from trialing several years ago. I would be remiss not to thank mentors, fellow handlers, my friends Scott Glen and Nigel Watkins for their support as well as the special group of friends who have allowed me to train in their wonderful fields over the years.

I have been fortunate to have many talented dogs during my years of trialing, but I feel that Star is a once in a lifetime partner. I purchased Star from my friend, Joni Tietjen, in 2019. I always enjoyed watching Star as well as Star’s brother, Ben. Star is an amazing dog with natural feel and talent and transitions easily between sheep and cattle. She is a true partner on and off the field. Star and I have been fortunate to qualify for final rounds at The Bluegrass, Meeker, Soldier Hollow, Western Canadians, and the US National.

Thank you to everyone for the ongoing support of Team USA. I hope we make you proud.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go”… Northern Ireland 2023.

Bob Allen, Grace and Joey

Hello, My name is Bob Allen. Before my journey began with dogs, I was in the horse business for over 50 years as a farrier. I loved to train, show, and rope horses in my spare time. I first got into dogs as a reason to bring the cattle down the return alley so we would rope them again. I have very much enjoyed training these dogs and the people I’ve met along the way when I travel to the dog trials.

Here is little bit about my journey. I started in 2015, and won 2 Open National Cattle Dog Finals, 1 Reserve National Cattle Dog Final, 1 Nursery Cattle Dog Final, and 1 Reserve Nursery Cattle Dog Final. I then started sheep running in 2017 and qualified for the Sheep Nursery Finals. I moved into the Open Sheep Finals in 2018, and made the Open Semi Finals with my dog, Joey.

We placed 11^th at the 2019 Double Lift Finals in Carbondale. In 2021, we placed 5^th in the Double Lift Finals (again with Joey). And then in 2022 I made the Double Lift Finals with both my dogs Joey, and Grace. Doing this qualified me to go to the World Trials with 2 dogs.

I wanted to give a big THANK YOU to everyone that is helping to fund the US TEAM and all the help that is done to get it done. Whether that is donating items for the auction, or money, it is very appreciated. Good luck to everyone and safe travels!