The Main Event
The main event — the competition — has gained international recognition for its quality and rigor, drawing the best of the best dog-handler teams. Handlers from the United States, Canada and several other countries are invited based on point scores at other national and international trials. A total of 64-68 dogs each run twice over the first three days, and the top 18 dogs advance to the final day’s “double lift,” which is a much more complex course.
The dialogue between handler and herding dog is intricate and complicated. “It’s a communication that we build over time, and there really is something magical about it,” says Carol Clawson, the event’s competition manager and a competitor at the event. The subtlety is astounding. For example, Clawson changes the pitch of her whistle, and the slight variation gives her dog both direction and pace.
Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and tucked into Midway’s foothills, Soldier Hollow rose to fame as host to the 2002 Winter Olympics cross-country skiing and biathlon events. In the spring, the hillside boasts unsurpassed sight lines and uneven hillside terrain to test the best of dogs. Trees, shrubs and even a pioneer cabin beckon to wary sheep who see potential refuge in every obstacle. There are no fences at Soldier Hollow and sheep have been known to escape into the dense foliage above the trial field.
The sheep are yearling range ewes that have not been worked by dogs and have rarely been around people, making them the ultimate test. Wintering over the vast lands of the Utah-Nevada desert, these sheep must fend off a host of predators on open range. Every handler that has faced them has described them as among the most challenging sheep.
Fun for the Whole Family
The Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship & Festival was the inspiration of Mark Peterson of Park City, Utah. The first Soldier Hollow Classic was held in 2003. That year boasted approximately 5,000 spectators with competitors from around the world. From those humble beginnings, the championship has returned to Soldier Hollow each year and become a premier event, drawing competitors from several countries and more than 15,000 spectators annually.
The hillside at this Olympic venue provides handlers and spectators with an amazing view of the sheep and dogs as they navigate the challenging course. Beyond the competition, the festival offers a variety of entertainment, including educational demonstrations, children's activities, food vendors, merchandise booths, a Bohemian Beer Garden hosted by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation/Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (UOLF/SHNC), sponsor booths and more.
Educational demonstrations showcase the remarkable versatility of these dogs, including sheep herding (in a small area demonstrating training techniques), duck herding and dog agility. These demonstrations, along with sheep shearing, Utah Police K9 units, face painting, an interactive petting zoo, pony rides and more make for a fun weekend in the Heber Valley.
