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  • Sheila Harris Mother nature is playing no favorites across the nation this week, as unseasonably cold weather, snow and ice have affected, or are affecting, the majority of states. Millions in the U.S. are without power. In Barry County, both Barry Elec

Local handler takes second at cattle dog Nationals

PictureAbove, Bo, one of Rick Morgan’s three trial dogs, gets a cow back in line during a trial earlier this year. Photo by Sherry Morgan.
July 26, 2017
Charlea Estes

       Almost every evening, Rick Morgan goes out to the rolling pastures of his farm to train. He isn’t training for a marathon or a rodeo; he’s training cattle dogs, and the hard work paid off when he earned second place in the nation, bringing home the title of National Intermediate Reserve Champion title with his dog, Roper, in Afton, Wyo., this summer.
       Morgan’s interest in training cattle dogs started only a few years ago. He said he had an interest in dogs in 2014, but he started training them and studying it in fall 2015. Morgan’s first trial competition was in January 2016 and over the summer, only a year and a half later, he took second in the nation with Roper.
       For anyone who hasn’t watched cattle dog trials, the handlers give their dogs directions through whistling and commands as the dogs move cattle through an obstacle course. Handlers are allowed only minimal movements on the course, letting the dogs herd based on their commands, and only standing close enough to close the gate when they get through. Winners are selected by the time it takes the dog to complete the course with the cattle.
       Morgan started working with dogs for use on his own farm, but he was always interested in competing. He self-trained, reading books and watching videos of how trainers worked with their dogs. The more invested he became in the training and process, the quicker the dogs went through the commands.
       The training is crucial. Morgan is working with the dogs each evening to hone their skills. His wife, Sherry, said, “He is dedicated. He goes out every single night and works really hard with them.” In addition, Morgan goes to almost every trial during the year. He said there are usually 10 to 12 in a given year.
       Other than the obvious advantage to working with dogs on his farm, it’s the competition that hooked him. He said, “I like messing with dogs and seeing how good you can do to beat somebody. It’s the competition.”
       Right now, he has three dogs he takes to trial, and ten overall. All are Border Collies.
       The reason many use cattle dogs is because it is a low stress way to herd cattle in a way that is also easier for the rancher. It is a gentler way to move cattle if a dog is trained properly.
       When asked why he only uses Border Collies, he said, “Border Collies have a natural ability, and you can teach them direction commands. Some of the other breeds are mainly just to drive with.”
       However, breed isn’t a guarantee that the dog will be good at trials. Morgan said, “Some make good trial dogs, some make good farm dogs, some are better with sheep. It just depends on their abilities.” He added that it takes about two weeks for him to get a feel for where their talents are.
       However, dogs don’t necessarily only have one talent alone. Morgan stated, “You can use a trial dog on the farm and in the trials. It doesn’t have to be just one or the other.
       “With the trial dog, you need one that will work off of the cattle and be able to control the bite. You have some that are kind of natural at that; they use their presence to move cattle instead of their bite. You have to control all of that. The handler can put the command to bite on if they need to, but it’s more their presence,” Morgan said. Working “off the cattle” implies that a dog does not need to be aggressive to get the cows to move.
       This year, Morgan won the Central Cattledog Association Dog of the Year in the Novice class and Intermediate Reserve Champion with his dog Red. The points he earned trialing qualified him for national competition over the summer. He won the National Reserve Champion in the Intermediate class with the National Cattledog Association, with his dog, Roper.
       He said, “I just really enjoy working with the dogs; it’s a good past time, I guess.”
       Morgan works at Cassville R-IV Schools in the maintenance department and lives on a farm in Stella with his wife, Sherry. He has also started training cattle dogs for other people.

Picture
Rick Morgan is pictured above receiving the National Reserve Champion award with his dog Roper.
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  • Home
  • This Week's Issue
    • New 39th Circuit, county clerk appointments made
    • Cookbook sales benefit Backpack Program at Cassville R-IV
    • DeGraffenreid, Shelter Insurance Foundation Sponsor Scholarship
    • Health department taking names for vaccines
    • Letter to The Editor
    • Roark Family Health to host free COVID-19 testing clinics
    • Exeter High School celebrates homecoming
    • Freedom Bank helps bringweather stations to Cassville R-IV
    • Purdy Eagles improve to 13-4
    • Cox, Mercy collaborate to vaccinate
    • Area crashes result in moderate, minor injuries
    • Purdy High School crowns homecoming royalty
    • Hwy. 76 closed, 2/11, 12 - 4 p.m.
    • Herschel Stehlik receives recognition
    • Tip-off royalty crowned at CHS
    • CHS Class of '65 donates to museum
    • Going wins spelling bee for second consecutive year
    • Arning Restructures Board of Directors
    • Contest on ballot area school boards
    • Health department reports COVID-19 death
    • Local Shriners Honored
    • Five Wildcats on National Signing Day
    • Southwest's Sickles wins road race debut
    • Beloved Angels of Valentine's Day 2021
    • Stokes plays historic game at MSSU
    • Crowder cancels Tuesday classes
    • Liberty Utilities warns of blackouts
    • Barry Electric issues alert
    • Resident reminds of property tax credit for eligible seniors
    • Property rights: When private and public collide
    • Eunice Thomas Elementary to see change in leadership
    • Winter blankets the county
    • CoxHealth changes starting wage, compensation model
    • General Municipal Absentee Voting Begins Tuesday, February 23, 2021
    • Purdy R-II purchases bus radio system
    • Walmart Pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccines
    • Health department postpones vaccine clinics
    • Beck Farm recognized as Missouri Century Farm award
    • Applications being accepted for 2021 Century Farm
    • DHSS collaborates with area agencies to ensure vaccine access for seniors
    • Basketball tournament brackets released
    • Blue Eye edges Southwest
    • Eunice Thomas January Students of The Month
    • Purdy January medalists announced
    • Southwest Elementary Students of The Month Named
    • Understanding County Aid Road Trust (CART) Funds
    • The Wildcat Takedown Club brings home awards
  • Classifieds
  • Obituaries
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Rates
    • Place Ad
  • Contact us
  • Archives
  • Subscription
  • Sheila Harris Mother nature is playing no favorites across the nation this week, as unseasonably cold weather, snow and ice have affected, or are affecting, the majority of states. Millions in the U.S. are without power. In Barry County, both Barry Elec