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We have reached the end! On February 11, 2017, Chase was entered in an All-Breed herding trial in Mayer, Arizona. He had been with Molly Wisecarver since November 11th. The Advanced Sheep class had 20 entries (nearly all dogs with long legs). Chase had the run of his life, scored 96/100 points and won the class. That was a 5-point major win and completed his Herding Championship. His score held up for High in Trial (his third HIT). Earning this Championship also made him a “Dual Champion” under American Kennel Club Rules. So, he is now GCH DC C-Myste Baledwr Pursuit of Happiness CD RN HXAsM OAP AJP. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America has awarded him a Master Versatile Cardigan Excellent award and a Register of Merit-Versatile-Silver. When one more of his children earns an AKC title, he will move to the much-coveted GOLD category.
I am so proud of this boy and grateful to his village (it takes one to earn a Herding Championship). Our thanks to Molly Wisecarver of Double M Stock Dogs who whipped Chase into shape to earn his last 4 points — which he did with a bang on the 11th. The five-point major and High in Trial were the cherry on top. Ellen Gerwin worked with Chase for four years teaching him advanced skills, earning 11 Championship points, two Highs in Trial, a Started Duck Title, an Advanced Sheep Master title, his required major, and his required competition win. I am so grateful to her. She made it possible for Chase to stay home and still herd and to work on his Agility training. Finally thank you to Susan Long and Cheryl Kienast. Susan was Chase’s first herding trainer. She took him from “never herded” through his HXAs (Advanced Course A Sheep title). She worked with Chase’s strong personality and around his selective hearing loss. Cheryl was Chase’s foreign exchange dog host mom while he was in Tennessee training with Susan. She gave Chase the love he always demands, took great care of him, ran him back and forth to Susan’s for training, and sent me hundreds of photos.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming which includes Open Obedience and Tracking.
Chase has been herding since the fall of 2010 – shortly before he turned 3 years old. Susan Long started him and piloted him to his HT, PT, HSAs, HIAs and his HXAs, which he completed at the 2012 CWCCA National Specialty in Sandusky, Ohio.
Chase came home to New Mexico and Ellen Gerwin took on his training and trialing when I decided he should try for his Herding Championship (HC). Earning an HC would give him the Dual Champion (DC) title. Fewer than 10 Cardigans have a DC so it would be a great honor. Ellen helped Chase earn his HSAd title.
This blog block chronicles their HC effort:
Chase earned his first Championship points at the All-Corgi trials in Southern California in mid-April, 2014 with a major win from an Advanced class (required for a Championship), and a placement. That gave him 5 points and a BIG requirement out of the way. At the same trials a year later, Chase earned another Advanced win for his required win over competition, and he added 3 more points. He is now at 8 points – just 7 more to go. This is where you may check his progress!
Update April 2016:
Chase and his trainer traveled to Sylmar, California for the PWCCSC All Corgi Trials on April 16-17. Chase was entered only in Advanced Sheep. On Saturday he placed second in his class, earning 2 Herding Championship points and on Sunday, he placed third earning a single point. Chase now has 11 HC points. Next stop is the National Specialty on May 7-8. Hopefully there will be points available. Chase needs 4 more points to earn his Herding Championship and to be awarded his Dual Championship.
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New Champion Elyan Bluefox Nothing But Flowers CGC
Chase – High in Trial 2014 with Judge Molly Wisecarver and Ellen Gerwin
