Highland Games to feature local Border Collies

One of Laura Moretz's performing dogs demonstrates a feat of height.

Visitors to Andrews on Saturday, September 9th, may think the attractive little town in far western North Carolina has gone to the dogs. At least, they may believe it has become a "Border Collie World."

Whether watching the talented canines leaping in the air to catch flying discs or slinking along the ground to herd sheep, visitors to the Sixth Annual Appalachian Highland Games and Festival of Scots (AHG) will appreciate the skill of the Border Collie.

"The Border Collie is recognized as the smartest breed of dogs in the world, bar none," said Skip Long, who with his wife Suzanne, travels regularly from Squirrels' Nest Farm in Unaka to prove his statement.

Adding a quick second to Long's observation would be Laura Moretz.

Moretz and her acrobatic dogs performed at the

Appalachian Highland Games for the first time last year and will be back September 9th, by popular demand.

"I can't tell you how many people complimented Laura's show last year," said Glenn Tetum, AHG Board member and director of publicity. "Laura has trained her dogs to do some incredible tricks and we are thrilled she will be able to provide two performances at this year's games."

The Long's three dogs, Zues, Sukey and Flo, will keep the crowd enraptured with their herding skills.

"We will put on three 35-45 minute demonstrations and let the audience see different moves as the dogs work a small herd of sheep," said Long.

He said Border Collies will herd most anything instinctly and respond to verbal commands and whistles.

The Long's have traveled for the last 10 years to different games between the months of March and October. They usually have dogs herd four sheep at a time during their vocally amplified shows.

"We both have wireless mics, so the audience can hear our commands, but also because we take time to explain facts about the breed and answer questions," said Long.

At his Cherokee County farm, Long said he works his dogs every day, weather permitting.

"It does not take a great deal of time every day to keep them polished," he said. "They don't mind working in the rain, snow, sleet, or heat, but I do."

The Sixth Annual Appalachian Highland Games will be held in Andrews the weekend of September 8-9 at the Andrews Community Center and Recreation Park. General admission is seven ($7) dollars per person. Children under 12 will be admitted free. A festive Ceilidh Gathering will begin at 7:30 on Friday the eigth, and then the main event is Saturday.

According to the group's president Ian Black, the festival will be a "celebration of all things Scottish with an emphasis on heavy athletics."

Included in the contests will be the Scottish Hammer Throw, Turning the Caber, Weight Throws, Putting the Stone and more.

Gates open on Saturday the ninth at 8:00 a.m. and events and demonstration begin almost immediatly. Opening ceremonies will be held 11:30 a.m. There will be dancing demonstrations, a heritage tent, delectable food, vendors, sheep herding, youth athletic events and the gathering of the Clans.

For more information about the games, please ball Iain Black at 837-5684 or visit www. a p p a l a c h i a n h i g h landgames.org.