WOLF PACKSŽ - Lightning at a sheep herding trial

Lightning Earns his HCT Title

Lightning earning his Herding Capability Test title Lightning (BISS Am/Can Ch. Wolf River's Moonlight Ridge*) completed his Herding Capability Test (HCT) title on January 7, 2001. Our boy also earned the first leg toward his Junior Herding Dog title too!

At 10.5 months old, our puppy entered the arena with much enthusiasm to run after those sheep or play with the other dogs present. Many of the people there were surprised that an energetic northern breed non-herding group puppy could attain proficiency with herding, and were surprised that he was entered in the trial.

When our turn came the crowd's interest level spiked. Our puppy walked into the arena like he owned it. Debbie Pollard, one of the judges, introduced the Samoyed breed to the audience with a nice historical reference to their reindeer herding heritage. Lightning did a perfect Sit-Stay, controlled the sheep with grace and style, and returned them safely to their pen. The audience applauded loudly. Lightning looked very pleased with himself, nether knowing nor caring about his new title. He just enjoyed moving those sheep!

Lightning and his friend Tilly running on the beach After the herding trial we just had to stop at one of the unspoiled beaches of northern California. This picture was taken on the ocean side of the gigantic sand spit that forms Big Lagoon. Lightning's girlfriend Tilly is chasing him along the water's edge. Tilly belongs to one of our good friends, Jennifer O'Connor, who has been training her in herding too (Tilly earned her Junior Herding Dog title at the trial!).

	13 week old Lightning assaulting his first Mountain Summit
	Four month old Lightning plays on a Balanced Rock!
	Bikejoring with Lightning at five months old
	Herding Sheep at six months old, Lightning is certainly having fun
	Showing 7.5 month old Lightning at the SCA National Specialty
	Challenge Pack Hike at the SCA National Specialty
	Exploring Washington, DC with 7.5 month old Lightning
	Our 8 month old boy is featured on a Holiday Greeting Card
	8.5 month old Lightning on The Point in his first real snowfall
	Skijoring with the International Trail Dog Baton
	Lightning Flying at nine months old
	Lightning is Shrouded in Mist at ten months old
	10.5 month old Lightning earns his first Title for herding sheep
	One year old Lightning Kicksleds his way to his Working Samoyed title
	Racing in the Cascade Skijor Classic at 12.5 months
	Scootering with Lightning at 13 months old
	13.5 month old Lightning earns his Working Samoyed Excellent Title!
	Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail at 15 months old
	16 month old Lightning awarded Best Working at Specialty
	Gate Building with 17 month old Lightning
	17.5 month old Lightning Dances With Joy for his friends at Point Reyes National Seashore
	Just shy of 1.5 year old Lightning is Winner's Male at Canadian National
	19 month old Lightning participates in the 2001 SCA National
	Running with the Team, 19 month old Lightning trains with his relatives
	Lightning goes Best of Winners for his first American Championship points
	22 month old Lightning teaches his little brother about being a Sled Dog
	Skijor racing at the Chemult Sled Dog Races at 23 months
	Winning streak at the Dog Shows
	Lightning turns Two Years Old
	Dog scooter Salesmanship
	First Major for 24 month old Lightning
	At 25 months Lightning completes his Master Working Samoyed Title!!
	Lightning finishes his Championship with back to back 5 point majors!!
	At 2.5 years old, Lightning earns Best Working 2nd year in a row
	Lightning celebrates Nimbus' 1st Birthday
	Backpacking in Mountain Lakes Wilderness with brother Nimbus and other "family" members
	Lightning & Nimbus take a Long Trip across the country
	Pulling & Herding at the SCA 2002 National
	Our boys are the Top ISDRA 2-Dog Champion racing team for 2002-2003!
	Lightning is a Daddy!
	Nimbus & Lightning run hard at the Priest Lake Sled Dog Race
	Downloadable Video of Lightning & Nimbus sledding
	Several Group Placements for Lightning
	Lightning & Nimbus Survive Mushing Boot Camp
	Lightning wins an Award Of Merit at the 2003 Samoyed Club of Washington State
	Nimbus & Lightning win Best In Show Brace at the 2003 & 2004 SCA National Specialties
	Lightning & Nimbus earn SCA Top Sled Dog Award two years in a row!
	Lightning goes BEST IN SHOW at the 2004 Samoyed Club of America National Specialty!!

You might enjoy Lightning's Dog Show and Working achievements.

*Lightning's full name is BISS Am/Can Ch. Wolf River's Moonlight Ridge WSXM CGC JHD HCT
    BISS = Best In Show Specialty (unofficial title)
    Am/Can (American & Canadian)
    Ch. = Champion (American Kennel Club & Canadian Kennel Club title)
   WSXM = Master Working Samoyed (Samoyed Club of America title)
    CGC = Canine Good Citizen (American Kennel Club title)
    JHD = Junior Herding Dog (American Herding Breed Association title)
    HCT = Herding Capability Test (American Herding Breed Association title)
Lightning's Pedigree
Litters Sired by Lightning

Reflector Dog Packs
Banzai Dog Packs
Pacific Crest Samoyeds
Wolf River Samoyeds