At Rancho Terra Norté we believe in creating a community of learning and this year’s Summer Symposium is designed to bring together herding enthusiasts of all levels in one place for a week-long emersion of all disciplines of herding (AKC A, B, and C courses, ASCA, USBC, AHBA, test and trial levels). 

There are sessions for those who are just starting to learn about herding & tending taught by wonderful instructors who pride themselves in developing sound foundations on their students and establishing safe working habits. Also to help introduce new exhibitors to competion, there are several new classes including: Beginner's Guide to Tests, Herding Termiaology, How do Dogs Learn, and the Novice Walking Tour to Trialing.

For those who understand the basics—there are fundamental building and intro to trial course sessions.

Mechanics & trial strategy sessions are designed for those dog & handler teams that are working on that competitive edge. As always,our instructors will be available for private lessons on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Since livestock is an essential component to any herding program—we are offering a stock primer class to discuss appropriate stock selection, housing & managment, and health programs. On Wednesday morning we will start with our "hands on livestock practicum" where students will learn how to grab and hold stock, assist in giving vaccinations, worming and feet trimming.

New for 2023 -

This year through the partnership with the Dupzyk Ranch Foundation, we are putting a bigger focus on European Traditional Style Herding techniques with the addition of visiting foreign SCC judge Benoit Voisin of Evreux, France. Benoit will be judging our French Course Trial on Friday, June 30th, the AHBA Rural Large Flock Trial, July 1st, and the AHBA Ranch Trial on July 2nd. Benoit will also be the evaluator on Sunday evening July 2nd when we are staging a European FCI style Natural Herding Aptitude Test (NHAT) demonstation with Benoit as evaluator. While this is an unsanctioned event, it will give participants the opportunity to have their dogs evaluated by our visiting foreign judge. Cost is $35/dog.

Benoit brings his vast experience as a municipal shepherd (the human kind) to the symposium faculty and will be teaching the tending sessions during the week. He will also be presenting a lecture on the herding program in Europe on Thursday afternoon. Come put your French on....... Benoit's classes will be popular, register today - space is limited.

On Sunday evening July 3rd we will be hosting a GSDCA Temperament Certification Test (TC) with Ileana Nogueras as evaluator. Cost is $35 per dog and limited to 25 dogs. All breeds are eligible.

Along with our Hand's On Practicum and other fun classes on Wednesday morning, RTN has added 2 scentwork classes being taught by AKC SW judge Hallie McMullen. Also Jill Grant will be teaching an Introduction to Tracking class on Thursday afternoon.

Also new - The RTN Buckle Challenge - High Combined Trial Dog and Test Dog! RTN is offering a commemorative buckle for the Trial dog who has the highest accumulated score tabulated from all the trials held in conjunction with the symposium. All levels are eligible. Test dogs also have challenge buckle for the test dog with the highest accumulated score tabulated from all the test opportunities offered during symposium week. Click here for more details.   

Looking for another reason to attend RTN’s Summer Symposium? How about spending a week at the foot of the Rocky Mountains during the best part of the summer season? Here on the high plains—we enjoy sunny breezy days that cool off in the evenings.  Escape the heat of the city and join us! Want to stay on site? Here is the link to reserve a dry camping space for your tent, trailer, motorhome. No electricity or water/sewer available.Overnight RV registration

Concessions will be available on site during the symposium - if you would rather let us cook purchase a Lunch Ticket and we will have the daily lunch special ready for you when you come off the field. Or you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. Also be sure to bring a chair and shade for you and your dogs. Since herding is best accomplished when practicing appropriate social-distancing, we feel the symposium will provide a safe environment for you and other students/instructors. We do provide the opportunity to participate in the afternoon classroom sessions remotely via Zoom.

If you have more time than $$$ in your checkbook - check out our expanded Symposium Internship Program that is generously supported by our partnership with The Dupzyk Ranch Foundation. Interns are essential in making the symposium and trials/tests run smooth. 10 hrs of service will make you eligible for 1 day of classes. Click here for an application