Roy was born and raised on a farm in Virginia where his
family raised tobacco and livestock. Roy and his wife, Debbie, live
on a farm in Gladys, Virginia. They have approximately 300 head of
sheep, 85 head of cattle, and a few horses, chickens and rabbits.
Roy began working with Border Collies after he lost his hands in a
hay baler accident in 1984. His first working dog, Rosco, was a consistent
top placer in herding trials in the US and Canada. Roy has qualified
many times for the prestigious USBCHA National Finals with Rosco,
June, a Rosco daughter and winner of the USBCHA Futurity, Craig, Jim
and Sonny. This year, both Sonny and Chip qualified for the 2006 USBCHA
National Cattle Finals in Big Lake, Texas with Sonny placing 8th overall
and Chip placed 10th overall.
Roy is a licensed AKC herding judge, an American Herding Breeds judge and has judged many USBCHA trials. Debbie has become an AHBA judge as well, having earned a HTD III title with her dog Chip. Debbie and Abby finished the 2004-05 trialing season of the Virginia Border Collie Association as Reserve Champion in the Pro/Novice division and finished the 2005-06 trial season in third place of the Open Ranch division. Debbie and Abby also qualified for the 2006 USBCHA National Cattle Finals in Big Lake, Texas and competed for the very first time at a National Finals.
Roy has worked with all herding breeds and enjoys helping people and their dogs discover the joy of herding. Roy and Debbie enjoy traveling with their dogs, whether for competitions, demonstrations or teaching – it’s a family effort!