Sheepdog Photos

Working Sheepdog Photos from the
Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials™
Held Annually in September

Below are links to pages for Meeker Classic photos of 2011 and prior years.

Winner Photos from previous years
2010 Winners - Suzy Applegate & Buzz - 130

Second place - Emil Luedecke & Spot - 118

2007 Meeker Classic winners Tom Wilson and Sly penning their sheep in one of the smoothest, highest scoring runs most spectators have ever seen. Click photo for larger view.

Art Unsworth, adds these comments on the winning run by Tom Wilson and Sly, "Well, we on the competitive trail are also in agreement that it's probably the "Best" run EVER made! Peter Gonnet told me that considering that it was in a double lift, in the FINAL and using the famous Meeker Classic Range Sheep, it's definitely the best run he's ever seen. That coming from a Handler that has made some of the best runs I've seen in my + 20 years of having a front row seat. Food for thought.

Last year at the Meeker Classic, we witness Derek Fisher / Heidi in the final make the greatest run based on pure Heart, overshadowing Tommy's win, this year it was Tommy's turn for perfection, truly a beautiful run to watch, as you accurately describe, smooth.......
Tommy's run was incredible, it just kept "happening" ..... and then he was done, we looked at each other in astonishment, wondering if we had seen what had happened and wondering if the run was really as great as we saw ...... yep, it sure was!"

2006

2006 Winners- Tom Wilson and Sly with Judge Elvin Kopp.
Photo credit Toby Smith

Derek Fisher works a recalcitrant sheep in his finals round with his dog Heidi. Photo courtesy of Dale Hallebach.
As announcer Art Unsworth said, "Derek Fisher's awesome FINAL run, is truly 'Movie Material.' If I never see another run, I've been part of the "Greatest Moment " in Stockdog trialing ......"

Meeker Classic's Restored Sheepwagon
in the July 4th Parade

Denise Wall, took an incredible series of photographs of Jeanne Weaver's dog "Jack" at the 2005 Meeker Classic. The ewe never actually made it over Jack. She tried to jump back with her flock mates after being shed, but Jack held her.

Click on photo for larger view.

Art Unsworth has been the "voice of the Meeker Classic" for a number of years. He was fortunate enough to capture this picture in 2004 and shared these thoughts with us:

"I had/heard more compliments than ever before of praise for the event during the Meeker Classic this year. I came away with a very good feeling of a "job well done" by ALL facets."

"Attached is an incredible picture I took during the competition on Friday at the Meeker Classic with Dennis Gellings & Jan from Bear Canyon, Alberta, Canada with a lightning/thunder cloudburst looming over his shoulder (note the lightning across the sky in the upper right) it was every bit as close as it looks !! We finished up without anyone getting hit or drenched :-) "

September 12, 2004
Beverly Lambert wins the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship trials! She and her 5-year old male dog Bill won the 2004 Finals with a top score of 123.

Photo by Dale Hallebach
Winners of the 2004 Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship trials
Beverly Lambert , Andover, CT 1st score 123
Julie Matthews , Ft Collins, CO 2nd score 118
Jack Knox, Butler, Mo 3rd score 105

Beverly Lambert 2003 Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials champion and her dog Pippa with the winner's trophy
Beverly Lambert 2003 Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials champion and her dog Pippa with the winner's trophy.
Photo by Dale Hallebach

Melinda Hanley and her dog Meg making a winning run at the 2002 Meeker Classic. Photo by Mitch Betis www.theheraldtimes.com

Derek Fischer and his dog Heidi in 2001. Photo by T.K. Inc.
Photo courtesy of T. K. Inc.
Derek Fischer and his dog "Heidi"
placed second in the 2001 Meeker Classic.