Monthly stock dog trials begin Feb. 20-21

Monthly stock dog trials begin Feb. 20-21

NCTA Stock Dog Club members will host public this weekend. (Photo by Annie Bassett / NCTA))
NCTA Stock Dog Club members will host public this weekend. (Photo by Annie Bassett / NCTA))

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

Stock dogs and livestock take to the arena this weekend on Feb. 20-21 for the first public trial of the 2021 season at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Due to severely cold weather, the trial had to be moved from Feb. 13-14.

Dog handlers meet at 8:30 a.m. daily at the heated, indoor arena of the NCTA Livestock Teaching Center in Curtis. Contests starting at 9 a.m. are open to spectators, free of charge.

NCTA students who train dogs for safe and efficient stock handling skills compete in a separate collegiate division. The NCTA club and the Outback Stock Dog Association host the trials.  

Outback leaders Kelly Popp of Curtis and Eddie Merritt of Wellfleet help coach the college students with Leighlynn Obermiller, NCTA faculty member at Veterinary Technology and Aggie club sponsor.

Dharian Ahrens of Hartington, Nebraska, is a second-year student in veterinary technology.

"One of my favorite activities at NCTA is being a member of the Stock Dog Team,” Ahrens says.  I’ve trained my Border Collie dog, ­­­­Kovr, to efficiently handle livestock.

“Working stock dogs are great companion animals and helpers in safely herding and handling sheep and cattle.”

February through April, the two clubs will host a monthly stock dog trial for competitors from several states. Other trial dates are March 13-14 and April 17-18.

“Come out to NCTA and watch the action,” Ahrens says. “It is truly an art to see the teamwork between dog and handler. “

Spectators are asked to bring a facial mask although large arena seating provides social distancing space.

Also, the NCTA team announced this week it will host a spring dog herd clinic on May 14-16 at NCTA with clinician Kent Herbel of the XP Ranch in Oklahoma. The public will be invited to register.

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