Special Awards

 SPECIAL AWARDS (in addition to $20,000 Purse)

1. MARVINE RANCH, TOP DOG OF THE DAY ($500/day of preliminary runs)

   Each day of preliminary runs (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday ) a cash award of $500 is given to the top scoring run of the day.  There will be a total of (3) “Marvine Ranch  Preliminary Top Dogs.”  IF any of the (3) Preliminary Top Dogs also scores the top Semi-final run on Saturday, an additional $500 will be awarded.  Furthermore if the same (Preliminary Top Dog) dog goes on to win the top score in the Finals on Sunday, yet $500 will be awarded.  (Minimum Contribution of $1500, maximum $2,500 for this award series  that is graciously given by Marvine Ranch, Meeker, CO.)
    

2. MOODY CONSTRUCTION & SONS ADDED DAY MONEY ($500/day of preliminary runs)

   Handlers are at the mercy of the wind, weather and flighty sheep, and a good preliminary run doesn’t necessarily translate into a top semi-final or final run.  Moody Construction & Sons rewards 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place finishers each day of preliminary runs with a cash award of $250/$150/$200 (respectively).  
    

3. HIGHEST PRELIMINARY SCORE ($500)

   This cash award of $500 was established in 1999 and is presented to the handler with the highest overall score in the preliminary elimination rounds of the Meeker Classic. The prize is divided equally in the event of a tie, and is given by Dick Weaver and Yolanda Treude – both ardent supporters of the Meeker Classic for years. 
    

4. DAVE & URSULA’S BEST INTERNATIONAL SHED, $300 (new for 2007)
   The “Dave & Ursula’s Best International Shed Award” is a cash award of $300 sponsored by Dave & Ursula of Olympia, Washington. This award is given to the top scoring “international shed” in the final round of competition. A tie will be broken in the following manner: 1st) Shed and pen points from the final round; 2nd) Shed points from the Semi-Final round; 3rd) Shed points from the Qualifying round.
    

5. JOANNA BESSEGHINI MEMORIAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD ($100)

   This award of $100 is presented in memory of long-time Meeker Classic volunteer and enthusiast JoAnna Besseghini.  This award is to be determined by the judge during the course of the 5 days of competition and will be awarded to the handler that exhibits exceptional sportsmanship during the trial.
    

6. BILL CARDER SHINING STAR AWARD: ($500)

   Determination is a quality that didn't go unnoticed by the late Bill Carder of Grand Junction. This award is presented by his friends and family, in memory of Bill who rarely missed a Meeker Classic from 1987 - 2006. It was something he looked forward to every year. The winner of this award will be a "Shining Star" as a handler at the Meeker Classic and in the sport of sheepdog trialing for years to come.
    

7. BAD LUCK TROPHY

   In the heat of competition dogs and their handlers must adapt to all sorts of variables i.e. weather, sheep, the crowds.  Sometimes it seems that if dog and handler didn’t have back luck they wouldn’t have any luck at all.  The Bad Luck Trophy is awarded each year to the dog/handler team that has the worst luck at the Meeker Classic.  “Every dog is a winner.”  Sponsored by Jack & Una Raley, from Jack and Una’s Poor Farm.
    

8. BEST DRIVE AWARD

   Routt County Woolens, LLC of Steamboat Springs is sponsoring the “Best Drive Award” for the highest drive points in the preliminary runs.    In the event of a tie for “best drive”, such will be broken by highest points for outrun and lift.  The winner of this award will receive a wool blanket spun and woven from wool grown in Routt County and produced by Routt County Woolens.
    

9. COWBOY’S LIFT  (Awarded for each day of preliminary runs
   
   Watching from the top end of the field, the set-out crew has a different perspective and appreciation on runs at the Meeker Classic.  A smooth steady lift is not only a beautiful sight, but much appreciated by the set out crew when the sheep remain calm (and on the field).  Headed up by Craig & Travis Nielsen the set out crew will select the best “cowboy’s lift” each day during preliminary rounds.  An engraved collar is presented to the winner of this award.  Please note that actual score has no bearing on this award.
    

10. WINNER’S JACKET

    Steamboat Ranchwear and Marianne Sasak of Steamboat Springs, Colorado have donated the 2006 Meeker Classic Winner’s Jacket.  This Powder River Trading ranch coat with leather collar and blanket lining will be embroidered with the winner’s name and the name of their dog, and will be presented to the overall first place winner of the Meeker Classic.  This tradition was started in 2005.

2005 special award winners
 
Marvine Ranch Top Dog (Wednesday), Beverly Lambert & Pippa, Score 82
Marvine Ranch Top Dog (Thurs), Faansie Basson & Lad, Score 86
Marvine Ranch Top Dog (Friday), Amanada Milliken & Ethel, Score 92

Top Preliminary Score, Amanada Milliken & Ethel,
Score 92

JoAnn Besseghini Memorial Sportsmanship Award, Bob Dias

Best Drive Award, Libby Neider & Lyn

Bill Carder Shining Star Award, Haley Howard, Alturas, CA

Bad Luck Trophy, Mike Hanley - Lexington, KY   

2006 special award winners

1. Marvine Top Dog of the Day... $500
   Wednesday,
   Beverly Lambert, Pippa, 10F, Score 81
   Thursday,
   Karen Child, Jim, 4M, Score 71
   Friday,
   Tom Wilson, Sly, 3F, Score = 83
    
   Marvine Top Dog also top semi final score..... $500
   Tom Wilson, Sly, 3F, Semi-final score 98
    
   Marvine Top Dog also top final score..... $500
   Tom Wilson, Sly, 3F, Final Score 132
    

2. Moody Construction & Sons Added Money $500/day of prelims
   Wednesday, 2nd Place, Derek Fisher, Heidi, 9F, Score 81 $250
   Wednesday, 3rd Place, Craig Pottinger, Scot, 9M, Score 72, $150
   Wendesay, 4th Place, Cathy Balliu, Ben, 6M, Score 70, $100
   Thursday, 2nd Place, Chris Jobe, Abby, 7F, Score, 70, $250
   Thursday, 3rd Place, Llona Brandenburg, Mirk, 8M, Score 65, $150
   Thursday, 4th Place, Emil Luedecke, Ben, 6M, Score 59, $100
   Friday, 2nd Place, Jo Woodbury, Hooty, 7F, Score 74, $250
   Friday, 3rd Place, Karen Child, Jenna, 8F, Score 61, $150
   Friday, 4th Place, Beverly Lambert & Bill, 7M, Score 58, $100
    

3. Highest Preliminary Score, $250
   Tom Wilson, Sly, 3F Score 83
    

4. Joanna Besseghini Memorial Sportsmanship Award $100
   Molly Wisecarver
    

5. Bill Carder Shining Star Award, $250
   Laura Hicks
    

6. Bad Luck Trophy, $150
   Red Oliver & Ned
    

7. Best Drive Award
   Laura Hicks, Zac, Received 26 of 30 drive points in preliminary round
    

8. Added Money Moody Construction & Sons -- top 5 places on Sunday:
   $500 Tom Wilson, Sly, 3F, Score 132
   $400 Beverly Lambert, Pippa, 9F, 123
   $300 Beverly Lambert, Bill, 7M, 115
   $200 Derek Fisher, Heidi 10 F, 108
   $100 Jeanne Weaver, Liz, 9F, 107