Annual sheepdog trials raise nearly $9,000 for Partners in Education

More than 100 dogs and handlers competed in the four-day Vashon Sheepdog Classic last weekend, but the event also served as a fundraiser for local nonprofits and resulted in almost $9,000 being raised for the island's Partners in Education (PIE) organization.

More than 100 dogs and handlers competed in the four-day Vashon Sheepdog Classic last weekend, but the event also served as a fundraiser for local nonprofits and resulted in almost $9,000 being raised for the island’s Partners in Education (PIE) organization.

Event organizers Maggi McClure and Tina Shattuck could not be reached for comment Monday about how much money was raised for other community nonprofits, or about how many spectators attended.Besides a brief downpour on Saturday afternoon that thoroughly soaked the fields and the hundreds of spectators gathered, the weather this year was favorable and much cooler than previous years’ September trials.

The annual event usually draws thousands of spectators ­— more than 8,500 last year — and brings in tens of thousands of dollars for local organizations — $20,000 last year.

However, PIE President Jenna Riggs said PIE’s Smart Dog Sponsorship program netted $8,700. The organization also sold raffle tickets at the event, but the figure from those sales was not known Monday afternoon.

“We did really well,” Riggs said.

The organization raised more than $7,000 last year from Smart Dog sponsorships.

For more photos from this year’s event, click here.