Rockyford hosts dog trial

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

The fifth annual Hilltop dog trial took place on July 10 in Rockyford.

Five years ago, Chris and Wendy Schmaltz wanted to recognize those dogs who can do it all – sheep dog trials as well as cattlework. They themselves run 400 cows, and the worthiness of a good ranch dog is not taken lightly.

It was a field trial in which dogs were sent out 300 yards and they were judged on their finesse work. There was a set amount of time to do the trial in and it was worth 100 points.

“This year about 70 dogs ran, coming from Texas, North Dakota, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta,” said Wendy Schmaltz. Approximately a week earlier there had been a sheep trial in Olds. For the past five years it has been a Triple Crown event, with a cattle arena and sheep arena trial taking place in Olds and then a field trial.

A dog that does well and competes in all three is a Triple Crown winner. “We want to recognize the dog and handler that do well in all three trials. This year Jimmy Walker and his dog Angie from Hillsboro, Texas were named the Triple Crown Open Champion and in reserve was his other dog,” said Schmaltz.

New this year was the Triple Crown Nursery Champion, which recognized the up and coming open dogs and handlers. There were 12 dogs competing in this event, with some coming from as far as Texas.

Donald Grant and his dog Jeff, from Bowden, Alberta was the winner of the nursery portion and the reserve dog was Schmaltz’s dog Creed. Walker won a belt buckle and $1,500, which Hilltop Ranch donated. The second place winner walked away with $250. The judge for the cattle arena trial and the sheep field trial was Calvin Jones from Wales. Dogs from across western Canada and the United States took part in this event.