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Sundowner's Stockdog Association hosting eventsThe Sundowner's Stockdog Association based in southeastern Oklahoma was established in the fall of 2002. From the very beginning, this organization strived to showcase working dogs in a ranch-style setting. Their competitions are designed to mimic real-life cattle work, using the dogs to drive the herd. To a few of the original members, what strikes them as amazing is how far the dogs and handlers have evolved. "When we started, a pretty good ranch dog and a good ole boy that knew how to handle cattle could win a trial" according to Darrell Cook, who has been with the association since its conception. "Here we are, a little over five years later, and now it takes a well-trained dog and a professional handler to win." A good dog is a hard worker, never asks for time off, never complains, and most of all, is the best friend a person can have. The Sundowner's Stockdog Association's ultimate goal is for everyone to be blessed with at least one good dog in their lifetime. To accomplish this goal, the SSA has managed to gather some of the best breeders and handlers from across the United States into their organization. Members are not just from Oklahoma; SSA has members, handlers, and competitors from Texas and Arkansas, as well as Kansas and Missouri. According to Jan McBride from Caney, Okla., who is not only the secretary for the association, but also a competitive handler, the SSA "is breeding a very powerful but intelligent dog that has the power to move the most stubborn cattle, but the brains and finesse to move small stock without harm. Our dogs are very versatile." Every November, this group hosts one of the best Puppy Futurities in the United States to promote and show off these breeding programs. The Sundowner's Stockdog Association aspires to promote the involvement of youth within the organization. It's this desire that makes this truly a family-oriented sport. Young adults have recently been hired to work at the trials. College students are employed for score/time keeping, and high school or college students work the course and/or cattle. These opportunities reinforce the SSA's commitment to youth, instilling responsibility and building a good work ethic. Other characteristics that are built upon are confidence, patience, and good sportsmanship. What makes Sundowner's Stockdog Association successful is the work behind the scenes and at the events by the SSA Board of Directors and the Secretary. Without their dedication, support and cooperation, there would be no Sundowner's Stockdog Association. These officers are: Darrell Cook, Wapanucka, Okla.; Randy Reed, Overbrook, Okla.; Brent Daniel, Atoka, Okla.; and Janet McBride, Caney, Okla. The course of action Along with the November Puppy Futurity, the Sundowner's Stockdog Association holds 14 one-day trials a year. The mission of the SSA is to promote the trained, working stockdog through a non-judged competition called a trial. The trials are timed and points are awarded for completion of each obstacle. The timekeeper and a SSA director observe all runs for infractions of the course requirements and rules. The trial course is constructed to challenge the dog and the handler, requiring the dog to exhibit power to move the cattle on its own through the course. The course replicates regular ranch work, moving cattle down alleys, into pens, and loading them into a trailer. The SSA directors strive to create an obstacle course that is not only challenging and real-life situated, but enjoyable to navigate. The actual course layout will vary from trial to trial, but the time and points are relatively consistent. Herding three head of cattle, there are obstacles the dog and handler must traverse to complete the course. Fifteen points are awarded for each obstacle cleared, five points per head, per obstacle. Each competing team is given a time limit. This time limit can vary depending on the competition, but is usually limited to eight minutes. The winner is the handler and dog team with the most points scored in the least amount of time. To succeed in attracting a large variety of competitors, the SSA runs four classes of competition: Open, Ranch, Novice, and Beginners. In stockdog competition, the difference in the classes is the amount of experience and age of the dogs. In the Open class, the dogs are seasoned herders, with quite a few competitions under their collars, although any dog can compete in this class. Open handlers are experienced handlers and trainers, or professionals, if you want to call them that. The Ranch class dogs are either late developing dogs or not as capable as the Open dogs. Ranch handlers/competitors are more experienced than Beginners, but may not be as seasoned as those competing in the Open class. In the Ranch class, the dogs are over 30 months of age, which no longer qualifies them for the Novice class, but they are newer to the sport. Dogs in the Novice class are 30 months of age or younger, and not as skilled, but eagerly learning. The Beginner class is open to dogs of any age; it's the handler that's the beginner, a relative green-horn among the veteran handlers. The SSA prides itself on allowing just about any one who wants to compete in a dog trial the opportunity to do so. They even have a Youth class for handlers under the age of 16. Dog vs. cattle More often than not, the cattle used during this type of competition have never been worked by a dog before. And herein lays the true spirit of this competition. "Cattle have a mind of their own, and regardless of where your dog is directing them to go, they have other intentions," says Brent Daniel, an experienced handler and trainer from Atoka, Okla. The cattle are the great variant in this equation; "your dog can do everything you've asked of him, and then some, but if the cattle aren't going to cooperate, there's nothing you can do." Most of the working dogs that compete are border collies. Some are a mix of border collie and another breed, some are kelpies, but all are athletes in the truest sense of the word. These dogs work whenever they're asked; no complaints, no whining. They work in all kinds of weather, and even under extreme duress at times. Yet, their only desire is to please their handler. Randy Reed from Overbrook, Okla., who is a veteran trainer/handler and competitor, and also a director with the SSA, feels "the border collie and Australian Kelpie are bred to work stock, and this natural instinct is the key" to having a winning stockdog/handler team, and not just a 'trained dog.' The time these trainers/handlers devote to their craft can almost border on obsession. Quite a few spend four hours or more a day working with their dogs. Each uses a different technique to begin training a pup, but all accomplish the same end: a dog that exhibits the strength and dexterity to round up and herd cattle wherever their handler needs them to go. Yet all of this comes at a price, a cost most likely paid by the dog. "Dogs can get cuts, bruises, and sometimes broken bones, but a clean-biting, smart dog seldom gets hurt," according to Randy Reed. Where we play This organization succeeds in providing a safe, well-kept area in which to hold its competitions, all courtesy of the Crossfire Arena, which is owned and operated by Wayne Carter, in Calera, Okla. This arena is very well-placed and easily accessible. There is plenty of parking for vehicles of any size. Bleacher seating is available; but, if you prefer, there is a large area to place lawn chairs to sit and enjoy the competition as well as the friendliness among all the challengers and spectators. The atmosphere is one of fun and fellowship, with well-maintained restrooms available. All of the competition takes place under a roof with wind-breaks on the sides. It's this attention-to-detail by the Crossfire Arena that pays off for the competitors and observers, allowing them a comfortable place to "wait their turn," or view the events of the day. The cattle are handled by individuals who are experienced in working with livestock to insure their safety, as well as the safety of all those present. With all the precautions taken, there is very little risk to the cattle. 2008 Events Schedule: September 13 and 14; October 11 and 12; November 8 and 9 (Fall Futurity). Plans are in the works to make the November 8 and 9 Futurity an event you won't want to miss, with door prizes, good food, great handlers and dogs, and big money. Come on out and join the fun. Some of our sponsors Tri-tronics has been a longtime sponsor of the Sundowner's Stockdog Association, along with Stockdog Magazine. Several more sponsors have recently come on board, namely, Resistol Hats and Nestle' Purina. This sponsorship allows the Association to sponsor special events and bestow end-of-year awards. The SSA has been able to continue offering their membership dues and trial entry fees at the same price, yet paying out larger purses and awards at the Futurities, all due to the generosity of their sponsors. Come join us Sundowner's Stockdog Association is a family-oriented, enjoyable organization. Visit their website at www.sundownersstockdogassociation.com to view the organization rules, structure, schedule of events, and many other topics. Soon to come will be a "Handler of the Month," featuring SSA members and their dogs. The Sundowner's Stockdog Association encourages farmers, ranchers, more experienced competitors, and newcomers to the sport, to come join us at the Crossfire Arena, in Calera, Okla. According to Jan McBride, "We'll treat you so many different ways, you're bound to like one of them." 9/22/08 Date: 9/12/08 Advertisement
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