Meeker Classic, 2023: Bet wins with the last run

Key facts

Champion

Tom Wilson and Bet, 134

Reserve

Joni Tietjen and Monster, 131

Winning run position

Last run of the final

The final’s last run changes the order

The organiser’s October 2023 retrospective describes a final with twelve dog–handler teams and several substantial scores already posted. Noelle Williams and Clay had 124, Kathy Knox and Seth 126, and Joni Tietjen and Monster 131 when Tom Wilson and Bet reached the post for the last run. Their 134 took the championship. This was Wilson’s third Meeker win and, according to the retrospective, his fifteenth appearance in the final since 1990. The result therefore combined a dramatic final-day finish with a much longer record of returning to the event.

The championship was not the only success

Wilson’s week included the second-highest Thursday preliminary run with Bet and Friday’s leading run with Tess. Bet then placed third in the semifinal before winning the double-lift final. The awards record also names Wilson and Bet for the Best International Shed, while Monster received the Biggest Heart recognition. These are distinct achievements. A daily result for Tess should not be assigned to Bet simply because the handler is the same, and the semifinal placing should not be mistaken for the final order. The organiser’s awards sheet uses the spelling Bett, while the narrative uses Bet.

A retrospective and an awards sheet tell complementary stories

The narrative describes good weather, strong spectator interest and a full final lineup; the awards sheet records particular recognitions across the preliminary, semifinal and final stages. It names Russell McCord and Cutter for the highest preliminary score and Beverly Lambert and Lee for the highest semifinal, illustrating successful work outside the eventual champion’s path. The named-stage distinctions make this edition richer than a single winner’s headline. They also show why the overall championship cannot be reconstructed by collecting every daily trophy into one ranking: each award answers a different question about the dogs’ performances during the week.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Meeker Classic — 2023 another year in the books (opens in a new tab)
• Meeker Classic — 2023 added money and special awards (opens in a new tab)

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