Sheila Polk acquired her first purebred Australian Shepherd in 1963 and competed in obedience at many of the local matches.

Since the Aussie was not a recognized breed until 1993, Sheila became a Professional Handler in the early 70’s. When the Aussie did become recognized, She and her late husband, Jim, stopped being Professional Handlers in 1995 so they could concentrate on showing their own dogs. Until the late 60’s, Sheila and Jim bred dogs under the prefix “Farrington” when they started with the Kennel name “Tri-Ivory” and together have bred and shown over 50 Champions in Australian Shepherds and Bullmastiffs.

In 2000 Jim and Sheila started their AKC judging careers, though both had been judging Australian Shepherds for many years with A.S.C.A. (the Australian Shepherd Club of America). Her best known Aussie was BIS & BISS Ch. Tri-Ivory Roquefort of Higgins. Sheila was a founding member of U.S.A.S.A. (the United States Australian Shepherd Association), Northern California Herding Group and the Sierra View Australian Shepherd Club.

Sheila is currently approved for: 5 Sporting Breeds, 1 Hound, 7 Working Breeds, and most of the Herding Group. She has also judged Speciality Shows for the following breeds: Bullmastiffs, St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Bouviers and Labradors, and has judged in Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, Brussels, France, Korea, Taiwan, Finland and Australia. She judged the Bullmastiff National in 2008 and has judged at the AKC Aussie National twice and the ASCA National five times.

Sheila’s comment: “I am extremely honored to be invited to judge at your shows in South Africa”.