Faansie Basson accompanied by his wife Elmarie (Swellendam) and daughters Christie and Janna, went to America in Sept 2011 to compete at the Meeker Classic www.meekersheepdog.com and Soldier Hollow www.soldierhollowclassic.com Sheepdog Trials - 2 of the most prestigious trials in America (See websites). He gained a 3rd place with DON at the Soldier Hollow. Unfortunately he did not compete at Meeker due to the supplementary list not moving up. Meeker Classic has 135 dogs running over 3 days. At a draw of all entered handlers that number is drawn and the remainder go on a reserve list. As handlers from the draw cancel, so the list moves up. This year it did not move all the way! 

WELL DONE FAANSIE AND DON

This was Faansie's 5th trip to those trials, where he has been placed each time, with various dogs proving to be as professional as always. He can hold his own given any situation and with the "best". This proves his worth as one of the best.

ELSIE JAMMY was also entered with BLES at both trials and also did not get to run at Meeker. In her words...              

"Trialling was good with some handlers better than others as were the dogs. Sheep were difficult 'range sheep' hard to move. Bles ran well, pity about the handler! I was please with her and don't believe we totally disgraced ourselves. It was the best we could do on the day - given the sheep and the conditions and a moment I won't forget in a hurry. My biggest disappointment was not running at Meeker. I felt their committee could have made a plan for foreign entries. I now rate this to be the most expensive trial entry fee EVER paid!"