Sheepdog Trials

Tammy Yost-Wildin represents the fifth-generation of an agricultural family who settled in Billings in the late 1800s. She grew up on a ranch in Montana and is still there running the Heart T Ranch horse training facility she founded with her husband Daniel.  A professional horse trainer for 32 years, Tammy is not new to the…

In an Open Trial, the dog is scored on eight elements:  Outrun, Lift and Fetch (3) – 50 points  Drives (Drive Away and Cross Drive) (2) – 30 points  At Hand Work (Shed Pen Single) (3) – 30 points  The Outrun, Lift and Fetch are weighted more heavily because this is the “natural” skill set…

The National Point Qualifying Sheepdog Trials during the Trailing of the Sheep Festival is a must see for all animal enthusiasts who have wondered who is in charge of the sheep and how the dogs  are trained to respond to their handlers. These amazingly talented animals will bring words of  astonishment from viewers along with…

We all get excited when we see the sheep trailing through our valley. A band, typically  1,500 ewes and grown lambs, seems like a big responsibility for the lone sheepherder  with his horse. But he has his helpers and constant companions.   The Border Collies, who in their black (or brown) and white coats, run back…