The Mid- Florida sun bathed exhibitors and spectators alike on October 30th and 31st in the Orlando suburb of St. Cloud. Much different from the hurricanes that hit this area 3 weeks prior. It’s difficult to believe that Disney World is less than an hour away as you drive through this country landscape. A short jaunt off of Highway 92 brings you to Linden Hollow Sheep Farm. The driveway follows a canal that is skirted by an orange grove that will soon be shipping fruit. The lane opens up to 70 acres of sheep herding heaven. Built specifically as a herding site, this well organized site could be the envy of stock handlers across the country. The wagon wheel design makes stock handling not only easy but also comfortable. Arenas and open fields all feed off a long narrow building that comes with not only comfortable accommodations for the livestock but for stock handlers and trial committee. Sheltered from any type of weather, the secretary is housed in an end of the barn across from the supply room. Between runs, sheep rest quietly out of few of all but the stock dog.

Site owner and developer, Sherry Lee, had a stock handling crew to be proud of Kathy Walker and her red Australian Cattle Dog, “Rudy” moved stock quietly from pens to fields.

Keeping with a Halloween theme, Judge Fran Hoffman showed up in costume on the 31st and the secretary’s table came equipped with decorations and plenty of candy for those with a sweet tooth. A local 4H club served up tasty hotdogs and hamburgers.

Saturday was divided up into two events. The all breed trial offered runs on both Course A and B. A Sheltie only trial was Course A.

Saturday’s all breed judge, Barbara Lockard, had plenty of good dogs to choose from. Course A winners were from Advanced, Stacey Helsel and her Australian Cattle Dog “Ch. Kylie’s Erika Shurcan Shine, who is working her way to her Dual Championship. First place and Reserve High in Trial came from the started class with Norma Najorka and her Border Collie “Asherdell Quick B Nimble.

Trial Chair, Joanne Korn, took home the highest honors of High in Trial with her Intermediate Course B run with her Border Collie, Lucky Acres Ty.

Sherry Lee was a double winner for the Sheltie only trial. She took High in Trial with her Started dog, Linden Brita and Reserve High in Trial with her Dual Champion Linden Danbie The Blacksmith.


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