San Saba Reunion SDT ~ Feb. 27-Mar. 3, 2025

San Saba, TX Contact: Linda Spindor (e) lspindor@gmail.com (p) 972-841-5638
Trial Host: Charly Kronberger
Entries Open: 01/27/2025
Entry Deadline: 02/11/2025
Mail Entries To: TSDA 220 County Road 505, Goldthwaite, TX 76844

Classes

	(Entry/Payback)	Trials
Open	75.00 / Afer Expenses	2
Open Ranch	75.00 / Afer Expenses	2
Ranch	55.00 / Afer Expenses	2
Novice	55.00 / Afer Expenses	2
Nursery	75.00 / Afer Expenses	2

Class Order: Open, Nursery, Open Ranch, Ranch, Novice

Judges

Joanne Hardy - TX
As a judge in sheepdog herding, I bring a growing experience and a deep passion for the sport. Born in Montreal, Quebec, I moved to Texas in 2003, where I currently work as a large animal surgeon at Texas A&M University. My journey with herding Border Collies began in 2010, and since 2015, I have been competing in the Open level. Throughout my career, I have participated in numerous judging clinics, gaining valuable insights into the finer points of the sport. I thoroughly enjoy the role of judging, as it is an excellent way to not only assess the dogs' skills but also to help handlers improve and elevate the sport. It is my firm belief that the act of judging offers a unique opportunity to learn, refine techniques, and promote the development of both handlers and their dogs.
Alison Holmes - TX
I think my first word was “Dog.” I have been an animal lover all of my life. I likely inherited that gene from my father’s side of the family, although my mother is wonderful with the critters. As a city kid, I built extended dog families from Legos. But I have always been country at heart. My husband, Herbert, and I traveled North America for a number of years, competing in USBCHA trials and conducting clinics. I started training dogs for the public and starting young dogs I got Chip in for training . . . a grandson of Battle’s Cap. Chip and I competed for about 3 years, making the top 10 in the National Nursery Finals at Klamath. After Chip moved to Open, one year I ran him at The Big One SDT in Bowman, South Dakota. I also made the top ten in the USBCHA Nursery Finals in later years with my very special Britt. But the dog that I likely learned the most about training with, was a male named Rys. He was a difficult kind of dog to train. We placed third in the first open go round at Carbondale one year, on very stiff sheep. We also won a Stockmanship award at Meeker. We had a wonderful time attending a lot of North American dog trials and more importantly, made lifelong friendships from this sport.
Peter Morgan - Northern Ireland
Hi, my name is Peter Morgan. I am from the North of Ireland, where my wife, Bronagh and I, live on a hill sheep farm with a small number of cattle and 400 Scottish blackface ewes. I have been trailing since the early 2000’s. Some of my best achievements include twice winning the Irish National Championships (2021 and 2024), reserve supreme champion (2021), international driving champion (2021), 5 times on the Irish National team, 2 times in the North of Ireland double lift championship, and 2 times a European Nursery Finalist. I was the Vice Chairman and local committee member of the 2023 World Sheepdog Trial held here in Northern Ireland. I look forward to judging in Texas at the San Saba Reunion Sheep Dog Trial.

Trial Information

USBCHA & TSDA Sanctioned
Trial Secretary: Linda Spindor

Class Order: 
Main field:  Open 1, Nursery 1, OR 1, OR 2, Nursery 2, Open 2
2nd field (Saturday only):  Ranch, Novice, Ranch, Novice

 

Judges:

Open & Nursery:  Peter Morgan Northern Ireland

OR:  Alison Holmes Sanderson, TX

Ranch & Novice:  Joann Hardy Caldwell, TX

 

Sheep Replacement:  $400

 

Start / Stop Time each day (Main Field):  Handler's meeting / 1st dog at daybreak each day.  We'll aim to run 50 plus each day and will stop "before dark."  On Saturday, there will be a Hard Stop by / before 4pm to allow everyone to head to town (1 mile away) and participate in the Historical Museum's fundraiser, which includes a great chuck wagon dinner, wine tasting (Wedding Oak Winery), and live music.  Tickets must be purchased in advance - more details to follow (last year the tickets cost $10 and they sold out!).  The giant outdoor gazebo can accommodate everyone.  The Historical Museum helps us to celebrate the founding of TSDA in San Saba in 1963.

 

The 2nd field will start at approximately 10AM on Saturday and should be completed well before the 4pm hard stop time.

 

Special Thanks:  To the City of San Saba, and to the Kirk's for their financial and logistical support of this trial!  Please support the merchants in the city of San Saba!  There will be a spectator tent and bleachers up on the hill, just like last year.  Porta Johns and trash receptacles will be located "around."  The Kirk's have graciously donated the use of their ranch for this event . . . Please help to keep the place clean and support the Kirks by fulfilling your alcoholic beverage needs at On The Rocks Liquor store, which is located right on Hwy 16 close to the entrance to the trial site.

 

There may be a vendor set up onsite to cook yummy breakfast and lunches on the weekend, like last year . . . More details to follow.

 

Check Out:  https://visitsansabatexas.com/
There are no "chain" hotels in San Saba.  But there are a few "lil hotels," and a number of AirBnBs (most are listed at the very bottom of the page:  https://visitsansabatexas.com/businesses-and-attractions/  Please mention that you are with the Reunion SDT).

Directions

Trial Location /Directions:  510 TX-16  San Saba, Texas -- Signs will be up at the entrance.  Proceed through the highway gate entrance for 0.7 miles.  The road makes a "T" and the shop building will be in front of you.  Camper / RV parking will be just to your left, in front of the shop and further to the left down and along the ranch road.  Please do not block the roadway.  There should be ample room and great areas to walk dogs.  The gate entrance to the trial field will be to the right from where the road makes a "T".  No camper / RV parking on the trial field.  Only spectator / day parking permitted on the trial field hill area.

 

Hotel Information

There are no "chain" hotels in San Saba.  But there are a few "lil hotels," and a number of AirBnBs (most are listed at the very bottom of the page:  https://visitsansabatexas.com/businesses-aThe San Saba Economic Development Council has worked with local air bnbs to provide pet friendly accommodations during the upcoming SDTs in San Saba. Be sure to mention that you are with the Sheep Dog Trials, and book early!

There is a listing on the Visit San Saba website ( https://visitsansabatexas.com/businesses-and-attractions/ ), but here are a few that we’ve had individual contact with:

The Barn at San Saba ( https://www.thebarnatsansaba.com/ ) – located about 6 miles south from the Reunion SDT site
Mesquite Country Lodge ( https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteCountryLodge ) - located very close to the FM 500 SDT site
Leaning Oaks Ranch – located just NW of the town proper of San Saba -

(https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/51702513?locale=en&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1737472501_EAMDIwM2M2NzQ4ZT&source_impression_id=p3_1737472519_P3MzVLkOmonrLnZ )nd-attractions/  Please mention that you are with the Reunion SDT).