Caroline Visser

In the year 1994 I bought my first Border Collie Mitch. It was always clear to me, it had to be a Border or no dog at all. By the time Mitch was one year old I started shepherding with him. Although I loved animals I didn’t have any experience with herding sheep, goats and the like. Farmers with cattle or sheep always have an advantage, in learning to trial, over people who don’t. Knowledge of sheep is important.

At the beginning I learned things that I did not saw the use of. It is important that you always stay critical about yourself and your dog. One of the traps is that you are satisfied too fast. In the beginning when I was criticized I often said …. “but the dog did the other things right !”

Next to my job as an executive in home care I try to train my dogs as much as I can. At first I trained at several locations later on I could train on my own field with the sheep I bought myself.

In the year 2002 I moved to the province of Drenthe and I live with Ron ever since. We share our passion for dogs, sheep and sheepdog trialing. By working the flock I learned a lot. Furthermore I learn from every dog I train, because every dog needs its specific approach (just like every handler does). The very critical view from Ron makes me reflect upon myself and makes me strive for perfection.

We now own a farm near the village of Bovensmilde where we also keep some sheep. At this location I teach starting handlers. Ron and I are starting license holders. Every day I train our young dogs and the dogs from beginning handlers or cattle farmers. I also give clinics in sheep herding.

The major trails I won until now, the Pinkster trial in 2002 with Nell, and the Dutch Promotion Championship that I won in 2003 with Djin. In 2004 I won the Dutch Promotion Championship with Nan, the mother from Djin and I also became second with Ben.

My motto is: “the stayer will win”. Above all, keep believing in your dreams, because then they will come true…!

Caroline.