Welcome to Stone Axe Farm
Dorper Sheep -San Angelo, Texas
Working Border Collies
In January of 2006 we added a new worker to the farm. We purchased a registered Border Collie from Gary and Stephanie Payne of Weatherford, Texas (www.gspdorpersheep.com). "Tess" was already trained by Gary and had competed at a few sheep dog trials in the state. The objective was to relieve Bill of the duties of chasing sheep.
Little did we know we'd just been hooked on another addiction. Tess' primary job is helping to manage the everyday sheep chores, but Martha discovered competing at local sheep dog trials was an excellent way to learn more skills and to keep Tess honed. They competed in the Novice level at several trials in the summer and fall of 2006.
Wins in 2007
After the Permian Basin Fair, we traveled to Lubbock for the High Plains Fair. Tess was 3rd in the over all standings.
In October, Tess was first at the Bluebonnet trial, in Crawford Texas.
At the Texas State Finals
The 2007 State finals were run at Big Lake, Texas on November 16 - 18. Tess had qualified to run in the Ranch Division by competing in at least 5 trials. In the first Ranch Division go-round, she was 3rd of 26 entries, 7th in the second go, and her combined scores earned her a 6th place over-all. The sheep were particularly tough, in each go-round nearly half the dogs were disqualified for gripping the sheep.
Martha was quite proud of Tess, she proved she could run with the big dogs!
A big Thank You to Linda May for these action photos!
In September of 2007 Martha and Tess debuted in the Ranch Division at the Permian Basin Fair in Odessa, Texas. They won the division championship by having the combined high score.
TIM: The new trial dog prospect
We've recently purchased a young male Border Collie, Tim. He's been started but needs some more training before he'll be ready to enter in trials. Martha will be working with him at home until he's ready to join Tess at the trials.
Tim is sired by Amelia Smith's Price, out of a full sister to Emil Ludecke's Ben. So he's bred to work!