SERVICE TO NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Served as ABCA director for two terms
- USBCHA director
SERVICE TO WORKING BORDER COLLIE COMMUNITY
- Judged numerous sheepdog competitions across North America including the Bluegrass Classic, Soldier Hollow, Meeker, and the USBCHA and Canadian Finals.
- Shared his experience and philosophy on proper stock handling in clinics on judging.
- Guided countless handlers and farmers on how to train and use Border Collies through training clinics, individual lessons and mentorship.
- His exceptional stockmanship, fairness, and integrity are revered throughout the sheepdog trial community; he exemplifies the professional standard for newcomers and serves as a model for the next generation of handlers.
IN BRIEF
(Excerpts from HOF nomination submitted by Karen Child)
Don Helsley is recognized as one of North America’s most respected handlers, trainers, and judges. With over three decades of experience competing and actively judging, he has officiated many of the most prestigious trials in the country. His reputation for fairness and integrity has made him a sought-after judge, ensuring competitors are evaluated with precision and consistency. Beyond officiating, Don has contributed to the education of handlers and aspiring judges by leading judging clinics that refine their understanding of trial scoring and stock management. His mentorship has been invaluable in shaping the future of competitive sheepdog trialing.
Don’s influence extends far beyond the trial field. As a dedicated trainer and mentor, he has guided countless handlers in developing their skills, whether through private instruction, clinics, or informal mentorship at trials. His quiet yet effective teaching style instills-confidence in both dogs and handlers, ensuring that the working Border Collie tradition remains strong. Before transitioning fully to training Border Collies, Don trained and showed cutting horses, a foundation that deepened his understanding of stock movement and handling. His expertise in stockmanship ensures his dogs excel in both practical farm work and competitive trialing, embodying the qualities necessary for true working Border Collies.
Don’s breeding program has produced generations of exceptional working dogs, renowned for their intelligence, drive, and stock-handling finesse. His ability to recognize and develop superior working genetics has helped preserve the breed’s core attributes. Following his retirement after 35 years with Idaho Power, Don has devoted himself entirely to training, trialing, and teaching, ensuring his knowledge and experience continue to benefit the next generation of handlers. His steadfast dedication to fair judging, skillful training, and responsible breeding has left an enduring legacy within the working Border Collie community.
Through his judging, training, mentorship, and breeding, Don Helsley has exemplified the highest standards of excellence that the ABCA Hall of Fame seeks to honor. His contributions have strengthened the working Border Collie community, ensuring that the breed’s integrity and skill remain at the forefront of stock dog work.