Finding a freaking Herding Test?

Is there some secret trick I'm missing?

I want an AKC sanctioned herding test (HT). I can find herding trials easily on the AKC website. I can also find lots of herding facilities offering their own 'tests' and evaluations. I cannot find anywhere offering an actual HT.

Frankly, I don't need to pay $50-100 for somebody to say, "Yup, she'll work." I kind of know that already; both her parents work stock and she's constantly throwing herding behaviors. I'd really like to spend the $$$ on the actual HT or even the HCT through AHBA. I swear I cannot find either. Like I said, lots of trials, lots of facilities offering their own (very expensive) verifications of instinct, but no HT or HCT's?

If you find me one within like 3 hours of Chicago you get a cookie.

Well I'm a liar and I found an HCT in June... So that's something.

Are you looking to actually get her HT title? She'll need to have worked on sheep before getting into the ring to attempt legs towards her HT. For the HT, you want to look for the ones marked HRTS in AKC's event search. They really are few and far between around here. Actually, few and far between in many places from what I understand.

It's not within three hours of Chicago, but Purina Farms (in Gray Summit MO, to the west of St. Louis) has sheep. The problem is they are very used to border collies so other breeds with different herding styles can struggle with them/they can struggle with the dogs. Many of the shelties down there for sheltie nats didn't do so hot and I heard people talking about aussies having been there a while beforehand and also having problems...

HT isn't a herding instict test. It's a course.

If you haven't done anything before I'd just look for a club to start taking lessons from. I know there is a club in Illinois, not sure of how far a drive it would be for you, but thats your best bet.

There's an AKC test here every April (it's coming up this weekend, actually), it's technically 4 tests, one each day, but it's the only one all year. It's $50 per run.

HIC is instinct, but I don't think it's an AKC title. I'm not sure on the details of how to get it, Logan had his before I ever got him.

The HIC is a certificate, not a title. It's like the CGC, doesn't actually go on any official paperwork. I've heard a lot of people say what actually must be performed is not very consistent, like it depends on what the evaluator decides. But basically it's just bringing the dog in, seeing if the dog has sustained interest in moving the sheep, and recalling off sheep.

I personally didn't bother with the HIC and won't with the other dogs. We just started working Auggie on sheep at his breeder's place and entered him to go for his HT. The requirements to Q towards the HT are relatively simple, but a dog absolutely needs to be experienced before going for it.

I think the HIC has changed since the last time I ever put a dog through it. If I'm not mistaken, the judge takes the dog in on a long line and awards the certificate based on his/her evaluation of your dog's instinct.

I think a lot of people with absolutely no sense whatsoever regarding dogs or stock wanted that HIC to prove that their dogs could 'work', and ended up either getting themselves, their dog, or the stock injured. Which is a totally forseeable event considering the amount most people know about stock in general. All they want is that little checkmark anyway and it's a lot safer to let the judge handle the dog for all of 5 minutes.

The guidelines in the herding booklet are pretty vague. It only says the dog comes in on a long line and must demonstrate a stop and a recall before the line being dropped or removed. I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt and say the vagueness of the guidelines is why so many people complain that the HIC varies depending on the judge.
I think most of the people I've heard talk about their HIC or the videos I've seen on YouTube have the owner handling, but I do remember one person saying the judge offered to handle for anybody who wanted. I've never seen it done in person, only heard about it and seen YouTube videos.

I agree though, in the case of an HIC it would absolutely make sense to have the judge holding the end of the long line (though I know some people hate having dogs work sheep on a line.) I've known people who are confused as to why on herding entry forms it lists the cost per head of the animals. It's in case your dog EATS one, people... you have to pay to replace it!

Many of the instinct tests I have seen done have been at BSCA Nationals and very often the tester works the dog or works with the owner to work the dog. IME often if the dog comes in very...strong the tester tends to be a bit more proactive in working them.

Thanks for the clarification! I need to get her in some lessons then.