Virginia collie takes top sheepdog prize

MIDWAY, Wasatch County — A border collie from Virginia took home the gold medal Monday at the conclusion of the four-day Soldier Hollow Classic international sheepdog championships.

Nearly 24,000 people attended the event, making it the largest annual sheepdog competition in the world, according to event spokesman Nate McDonald.

"Not bad for a 4-year-old event to grow this big so soon," event director Mark Petersen said in a press release. "We're ecstatic with the way Utahns have flocked to the stands. Soldier Hollow provides the perfect setting to make this an international event year after year. "

Virginian Barbara Ray and her dog Britt captured first place while North America champion Amanda Milliken and her dog Ethel grabbed the silver medal. Californian Bill Burhow and his dog Pete took the bronze medal.

Sheepdog trials, popular in Britain for more than a century, showcase the physical and mental abilities of border collies.

In the competition, the handler instructs the dog with a series of voice commands or whistles as the dog locates a group of sheep and herds them through a series of gates and directs them into a small pen — in 12 minutes or less.

For more information, visit www.soldierhollow.classic.com.