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HEBER -- The Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship wrapped up Monday, the toughest day yet for the top dogs and their handlers.
15 duos took to the hills in Heber Valley. Their task: locate two groups of sheep and round them up. The first is led t a white pole and left to wait. The second is herded into a white picket pen.
For the first time in the event's 9-year-history, a Utah team made it into the grand championship round: Libby Nieder and her 7-year-old border collie Sydney.
"You look at the competition that we're running against, and you know, we're running against the Canadian national champion, the South African national champion. So yeah, to make it into the finals with 14 others is pretty huge," Nieder said.
The West Bountiful pair was just happy to complete today's competition. They found this course more challenging than previous rounds.
"It's harder for them to work bigger groups. She was really having to work. She was a little hot out there and she finished strong. So that's what matters. She did good. She's a good dog," Nieder said.
A former gold medal team... Bill and Pete, the competition. Libby and Sydney came in 12th.
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Email: [jboal@ksl.com](<mailto: jboal@ksl.com>)
