| Steph is our lovely 2016 puppy, son of our Jet and Gaye McKiernan's handsome, biddable boy, Madra. Stephane was one of five puppies and we are thrilled that all of his brothers and sisters settled happily in great new homes, even winning over the incumbent dogs in world record time! Gem and Ash have had great starts to their performance careers, and Pippa and Rosie are busy loving and being loved.
Our boy is named after Stephane Grapelli, virtuoso jazz violinist, who is renowned for performing with Django Reinhardt. Our darling Django (at age 16) was put to sleep not long after the pups were born and it seemed fitting to name Steph in his honour.
Awards
September 2016 Border Collie Club of Vic Champ Show Best Opp Minor Puppy
September 2016 Royal Melbourne Show Best Minor Puppy Dog
September 2017 Royal Melbourne Show. Best Intermediate Dog / Reserve Challenge
Titles
May 2018 Junior Courser
2019
Rally O Novice
Rally O Advanced
Rally O Excellent
Rally O Advanced Excellent
Community Companion Dog
2021
Rally Masters
2022
Rally Obedience Champion
Companion Dog
Companion Dog Excellent
2023
Tricks Starters
Steph did a great job at his first ever Lure Coursing Trial, passing both his runs on both days to achieve his Junior Courser title. He is the first Lindenbrae dog to participate in this dog sport and probably only the second Border Collie in Victoria to gain his Junior Courser title (congratulations to our good friend Reef on being the first.) He LOVES chasing those streaking plastic bags and demonstrated his fitness, agility, endurance and lovely conformation in his long, strong runs.
From early 2019, Steph finally began to get his smart brain into gear, starting his obedience career and earning four Rally Obedience titles, winning his Excellent Class at the State Rally O titles with a score of 99. He also completed his CCD title at the Border Collie Nationals in Sydney in October.
Like everyone we had a huge break due to COVID, returning to trialling in 2021 and since then gaining his Rally Masters title, Rally Champion title, Novice Obedience title and, in late 2022, his Open Obedience title. We recently started learning tricks and Steph competed at Geelong's Inaugural Tricks trial in July 2023 earning his Tricks Starters title with some lovely performances.
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