By Patt Covert
The Otis Telegraph
April is here. Spring has sprung and it’s almost time for the 2025 Heartstrong Classic! The 5th Annual Heartstrong Classic will be held April 25-27. As Heartstrong Classic organizer Ronda Pletcher posted, “The buckles are ordered and the gold level sponsor spotlights have begun.”
This absolutely FREE and Open to the Public three-day event is your chance to witness some of the finest dog handlers and cow dogs in North America competing against each other right here in our own backyard. The Heartstrong Classic is held at Ronda Pletcher’s ranch, situated at 31228 County Road M, southeast of Yuma. Based on past trials, it is anticipated that approximately 64 dogs from 6 or 7 states (Tennessee, Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota) will be participating.
Once again two-time Calgary Stampede Champion, Wendy Auzqui, will be competing with her border collie Frank. Ronda commented, “Wendy brings a lot of experience to the trial, arriving several days early to help put the finishing touch on the event. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on that she helps me with.”
Ronda continued, “This year we have made some changes to the lineup. There will a Horseback class each morning first thing starting on Friday April 25th, and going thru Sunday the 27th. Immediately following the horseback division, the Open will begin followed by the Nursery (which are dogs that are three years of age and under). Both the Open and Nursery divisions will be on foot. The Open features the best of the best and the Nursery is for 3 years and under. We will start around 8:30am or 9:00am on Friday and 8:00am on Saturday and Sunday.” The horseback is an Open Jackpot event. Anyone wanting to bring their dog and horse can compete using day-to-day ranching operation techniques .
If you’re concerned about finding a good lunch spot, the Filling Station from Kirk, Colorado, is coming to your rescue. They’ll be serving some of the most incredible burgers you’ve ever tasted, and to complete your meal, you can enjoy a sweet treat freshly churned by Tyson Hansen’s two-cylinder ice cream maker. If you don’t have time to watch the dog trials but would like lunch, Ronda welcomes you to stop on by.
Ronda Pletcher continued, “Once again this year I have an amazing lineup of sponsors that are both local and from the surrounding communities. It is the amazing support that brings the best dog handlers back each year. We will have some super nice steers that will be used for the trial. Some of eastern Colorado’s finest put together for me by TQ Cattle. The Top Stockman award in memory of Tom Quiggle will be given to the dog and handler for demonstrating the best stockmanship throughout the trial. The Sponsors’ support makes this a super fun trial to host. It takes a great team of enthusiastic people to successfully put on a stock dog production. Sponsors, course designers, organizers, marketing, set up and take down, involves a wide group of friends and cattle dog enthusiasts . I am humbled by the community support I receive for the Heartstrong Classic. I have a strong base of sponsors that allow us to give much appreciated and valued prizes. Thank You!” You can view Sponsor Spotlights on the Heartstrong Classic facebook page.
Ronda started the Heartstrong Cattle Dog Classic because she loves dogs, the competition and there are no other trials remotely close to Yuma, Colorado. This one of a kind event is something you don’t want to miss. The Heartstrong Classic is a member of the U.S. Border Collie Handler Association.