Nuckolls County stock dogs are 2021 state fair winners

Jetensky's J Crazy J Stockdogs are 2021 State Fair winners

Depending on who you ask, the definition of luck can be described two ways. It could be success or failure brought by chance, or it could be luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

For Tony Jetensky, owner of J Crazy J Stockdogs of Superior, his lucky opportunity came at the 2021 Nebraska State Fair Cattle Dog Trials. Two of his border collies he personally trained won three separate championship titles!

Tony's preparation was from his daily work as a cattle rancher and day cowboy using his dogs to gather, drive and sort cattle. A well trained border collie can save a lot of time and labor. Known for their herding instincts, they are highly intelligent, focused and famous for "the eye" – intensely staring at the herd to intimidate them. Like most dogs, they become part of the family. Tony's daughter, Riley, enjoys saddling up a horse and helping her Dad and the dogs on cattle drives.

He started with border collies about six years ago and was impressed on how well they can read the intent of the cattle and know the flight zones. Knowing what his dogs could do well out in the open field, they could also do well in an arena environment. So he began traveling to compete in herding dog trials. Besides here in Nebraska, he has competed in trials in Texas, Wyoming and Oklahoma. Along the way he has made many good friends who share their knowledge and their passion for the breed of dog that has been called the world's greatest herders.

Tony is a member the National Cattledog Association which was formed in 2011. The NCA's mission is to encourage efficient and low stress cattle handling by promoting the use and value of well trained cattle dogs.

Most competitions have five class divisions: Open, Novice, Intermediate, Nursery and Collegiate. Handler and dog teams compete over the course of two days. Each team has a certain amount of minutes to complete a course moving cattle through various shaped fencing obstacles set up in an arena. The handler first sends his dog to fetch three head of cattle at the other end of the arena and then through only voice commands or whistles given precisely at the right time, the dog alone steadily maneuvers the cattle through the obstacles gaining points for each one correctly done. Time ends when the cattle are penned and the handler closes the gate. Best time with the most points wins! Just one difficult to manage steer or heifer can use up a lot of time. The advantage of being a good stockman and knowing exactly when to use your dog to apply pressure or release can be the difference between a good run or no points. The dogs must be mentally and physically tough to face off cattle that are reluctant to move. And yes, there are sometimes injuries, but the dogs love their work and are always ready.

At the Nebraska State Fair Tony, won the open class with one of his favorite dogs, Nip, a three-year-old female whom he raised. Her sire is a dog he first started trialing with a few years ago named Train. Nip competed against 24 other dogs from various states. This was only her third trial.

His male dog, Sauce, also sired by Train, is just two years old and dominated the nursery class (for dogs under 33 months) winning both days and being named champion. A great achievement for only his second trial competition, showing quality bloodlines of stockdogs being raised by Tony can be true ranch dogs and be top contenders at trials.

In a separate evening event at the state fair was the Outback Regionals. Sauce competed in this open trial against older and more experienced dogs. It was sponsored by the Outback Stock Dog Association and had 23 entries. Sauce placed sixth giving him a chance to run in the finals. Only the top 10 dogs advanced to the finals. All 10 dogs then started with a clean slate for scoring. With a time of .55 and a total of 245 points, he won the trial showing that he has all the skills needed to excel. For a young dog to do so well just shows what an amazing future Sauce will have. Proving that luck is when preparation meets opportunity!