 |
BCSA
Board of Directors |
|
I've
been involved with Border Collies since I got my first one as a pet nearly
12 years ago. I've told Cheli's story many, many times already but let it
suffice to say that she was, and still is, much more than the pet that I
thought I was getting. She went on to become a CH as well as earning
advanced titles in nearly every venue possible. She introduced me to all
the things that I have come to love so much now. I learned a lot from her
and will never be able to repay that debt. Through her I became involved
with BCSA and have met many of the people who are now my closest friends
although they live all over the country. Cheli is retired from competition
now but her legacy lives on in her kids, grandkids and now
great-grandkids.
Each successive dog has taught me his/her own lessons. First there was Celt, the greatest challenge ever. Of imported ISDS lines, he was trouble from the word go but we managed to do much more than anyone else thought possible. My greatest challenge was also the greatest teacher . . . and now he is a grumpy old man:)
Next came Tess who was a challenge in her own way. She is Cheli's daughter but much more like her father who is a top obedience dog with multiple perfect scores. She is stubborn and independent but also a great teacher. Together Tess and I have achieved so much. She is the same sort of versatile dog that her mother is with titles in obedience, rally, tracking, herding and agility. I'm hoping to be able to take her to the very highest levels in herding and agility.
Tess' kids are not competing in every venue, mostly because I don't have the time to train them all for everything anymore. They each have their activities so that I still get to do it all:)
Win is from Tess' first litter and is
incredibly stylish as a herding dog. She has taken over chores on the farm and
proves herself everyday as we sort sheep or trim hooves or give shots. She makes
life much easier -- and she's pretty darn cute too, she still melts my heart
almost everyday . . . she was meant to go to someone else but I have never been
happier about a puppy sale that didn't work out. Wager is from Tess' second
litter and despite being a full brother to Win, couldn't be more different. He
finished his CH and became my first bred-by CH. He has turned out to be a
phenomenal agility dog with speed, grace and, did I mention, speed?? Sara is my
fourth generation of BCs. She is Win's daughter and full of grace and whimsy.
She is a ham as she struts her stuff in the conformation ring. Her sire is 100%
herding lines and she is showing the potential to be great there as well.
All of these dogs with their quirks and their strengths have made me see the
Border Collie in a new way . . . they are definitely a diverse and special
breed.
I am a member of several dog clubs. I serve as the agility trial chair for my local obedience club and I host a trial each fall for my all breed herding club. I have had a great time working as a Judges' Education mentor for the past year. It is a great experience to be able to work with the people who are interested in applying to judge our breed. I have enjoyed it so much that I am now working towards being able to judge myself.
It is a great honor to be asked to be the
president of the parent club for this very special breed. I have been involved
with BCSA almost from the start -- attending every national specialty and being
involved on many levels inside the club. I have spent the past 2 years as vice
president. In that capacity I was responsible for the committees, giving their
reports and encouraging them to be more active. Several of the committees have
had major progress over the last 2 years -- the health committee conducted a
health survey, the futurity committee is ready to kickoff a futurity competition
in 2009, the general ed committee is preparing a really exciting venture called
"Border Collie U" that should help us to achieve our goal of education.
I am hoping that the work these committees have begun will continue. I also hope
that our more recent goals of keeping the membership more involved will continue
and the membership will take a more active role in the direction of the club. I
once viewed "the board" as a singular entity. I now know that it is a group of
people with very diverse opinions and backgrounds. We are not always a unanimous
group and sometimes the opinions expressed are pretty strong! But discussion is
a good thing and I hope that there will continue to be more discussion between
the board and the membership.
Photo by Linda Koutsky
Page Updated 05.17.2008