Ability Stockdogs is a small 40 acre farm on the edge of the Osgae Prairie in Oklahoma. My husband and I located here in 2003 from Central Oklahoma. I have owned and trained Collies and Border Collies for herding for 30 years. I began with smooth collies in the early 80's, working with the local border collie folk in the field, learning the foundations for good outruns, driving, penning and general stockmanship. My collie Ch. Abilitiy's Belladonna gradually developed enough skills to compete at the Novice/Ranch level in both field and arena trials. AKC had not developed a program at this time, but did so in the late 80's. After placing in one of the trials I was given my first Border Collie. As the gentleman stated " if I could do that with a dog that didn't even like sheep I would do great with a Border Collie ". He was right in that the Border Collie, Antha opened up training opportunities and allowed me to advance my skills as a trainer and handler. I still ran the Collies, but learned much more quickly from the Border Collies and was able to eventually move up to Open with the purchase of
Craig, I gradually gravitated from sheep lines to cattle lines in Border Collies.Cash my McCallum bred dog came to me as a puppy. He was a handful but enabled me to compete in cattle trials and qualify for the USBCHA Cattle Finals the first two years they ran. We placed in the top twenty both times, 14th the first year and 11th the second,. Our move to Ponca City in
2003 reduced my trialing for some time while we built and fenced our property.
We curren;tly have 2 arenas, round pens, and fields large enough to do outruns of several hundred feet. Our facility offers sheep, goats and cattle to train on. The dogs are let out of their runs twice a day and stay out of the weather under the pole barn roof in large runs with dogloos. I feed Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul twice a day.
Lessons are available by appointment weekdays and occasional weekends as weather permits. I train year round, both because of the need and to keep the dogs in shape.
Oklahoma is a beautiful state and this area has alot to offer with all its history. There are many places to visit with in a days drive of Ponca and in Ponca City itself. Tulsa is 2 hours to the east and also offers many things to do, museums, restaurants, and parks.
Come by and visit, bring your dogs and enjoy herding as well as Oklahoma hospitality.
Linda Holloway
