World’s Premier Sheepdog Championship to be Hosted at Soldier Hollow
More Than 25,000 Spectators Expected for Labor Day Weekend Event
MIDWAY, UT — Aug. 6, 2015 — Now in its 13th year, the 2015 Vita Bone Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship will draw the world’s top sheepdog handlers — and 25,000 spectators — to the heart of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7.
Hosted at the Soldier Hollow Resort in Midway, the four-day competition is the world’s foremost annual sheepdog trial, with a total winning purse of $30,000. Renowned competitors from across the United States and as far afield as South Africa and Wales will be tested against Utah’s Rocky Mountain wild-range sheep on a challenging mountain course.
Obeying commands of their handlers via whistles and calls from up to 400 yards away, lightning-fast Border Collies will race up a hillside to carefully gather sheep, earning trust and demanding respect of animals twice their size. The handler must then command their Border Collie to herd the animals through a series of gates and then into a pen in under 13 minutes.
“Without doubt, these are the world’s most highly trained dogs,” said Mark Petersen, founder of the Soldier Hollow Classic. “Year after year they impress our spectators of all ages including myself, and I’ve been doing this for 13 years.”
Other entertainment will include the IFA Country Festival, the Wild Wonders animal show, Police K-9 demonstrations and the crowd-favorite Splash Dogs, which will satisfy animal lovers and guests of all ages. Local food vendors will also provide a diverse menu for guests.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit SoldierHollowClassic.com.
