Description
Cutter is a 6-6ear-old male Border Collie that Russell has had since he was seven weeks old. Russell notes that he has a “heart of gold,” and that he has never had a dog with so much heart, willing to give you everything every time he works. He is in the top 20 of the National standings this year and on his way to the National Finals.
Russell is the current President of the USBCHA (United States Border Collie Association), which is responsible for putting on the National Sheepdog Finals and National Cattledog Finals. Calling them “National” is a bit off a misnomer as the association includes Canadian handlers and dogs as well, so it is more aptly described as the North American Nationals. The Nationals will be held this year in Carson City Nevada, hosted by Mary Minor, who is also a handler here at Soldier Hollow.
Russell is not new to competition, whether dogs or horses. Prior to becoming President of the USBCHA, Russell was the longest serving Director of Judges at the National Cutting Horse Association, (for 17 years!), stepping down in 2019. McCord oversaw tremendous change in the industry, from the quality of horses, to training styles to the increasing importance of technology. But whatever challenges were thrown his way, McCord’s goal always stayed the same. “All I ever wanted when I took this job was to try to make the competition as fair as I possibly could for the competitors, that’s all I ever wanted out of it.” Russell competed in dog trials before taking on his position with the National Cutting Horse Association and is back at it at full tilt. He is also a 6 handicap golfer!
