The Powley family have been involved in Border Collies for over a decade. Robyn was elected as President of the American Border Collie Club for three consecutive terms and in that capacity, she actually wrote the AKC Standard of the Breed.
She is the former Secretary, Treasurer & Judges Education Coordinator of the Border Collie Society of America (the AKC Parent Club). Currently she is a member of the Border Collie Club of Great Britain, the Border Collie Club of Victoria (Australia) and other breed clubs around the world. She is also a member of the New Mexico Stewards Association and the Rio Grande Kennel Club. Recently she served as the Vendor Chair for the 5 day cluster of shows in Albuquerque.
As a child, her best friend was a Border Collie mix named Shep. Her husband, Mark, grew up on an Iowa farm, also with a Border Collie, called "Major." When Mark's Air Force career took the family to England, naturally, they got a Border Collie as a pet--a decision Mark has come to rue. Now the proud owner of several Border Collies, Robyn is active in many different pursuits, including conformation, agility, and herding (which she enjoys watching more than doing). She is also an aspiring judge, and after judging Puppy Sweeps at the BCSA 1999 National Specialty Show, she submitted her application to the AKC, which has since been approved. Mark, a combat-decorated special operations flight engineer, retiref from the Air Force in July 2000. He go now works for Lockheed-Martin, while also maintaining his other Darkwind duties of feeding the dogs, clipping their nails, and cleaning their teeth. In August of 2000, the Powleys celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary and the second birthday of their grandson, Jonah. Jonah is the only thing on this earth that Robyn finds more interesting than Border Collies!
Jonah is the son of Robyn's daughter,
Donne' and her husband Joe. Donne' is
currently a regional manager for
MacDonalds in heartland of Utah, near
her home in Manti. Joe is the proprieter
and artisan behind the unique hand-
crafted furniture of Xtreme Aspen.
Oldest daughter Taryn is a graduate of
the University of Utah. Before beginning
graduate studies, Taryn is spending a
year as an Americorp volunteer, working
for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
The Powley family lives in New Mexico
not far from The City Different: Santa Fe,
and like many others, Robyn shares a
profound appreciation of Native Americans,
particularly the puebloans. The Powleys have resided in The Land of Enchantment since 1992. The do feel this state is a land of natural wonders which has perfectly suited the family, including all the dogs.
While in Great Britain, Robyn bred her first litter, completed her first agility course, and handled her bitch, Stormie, to a placing at the world famous Crufts Dog Show in 1992. She also managed to visit many of Britain's top breeders, learning this breed from the experts. In 1997 Robyn authored a book entitled A New Owner's Guide to Border Collies, available at www.tfh.com or through amazon.com. In addition she contributed a major section for The Ultimate Border Collie Book an international effort now available at bookstores everywhere, edited by Alison Hornsby. In May of 1998, Robyn participated in filming the AKC Video on Border Collies as a committee member. In October of 1998 and again in 1999, Robyn conducted Judges Education at the BCSA National Specialty Show. In the capacity of Judges Education Coordnator, she authored three original works on judging the breed.
Her kennel name of "Darkwind," registered with The American Kennel Club (AKC), The (British) Kennel Club and the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), has now become synonymous with quality in America. Darkwind Border Collies are excelling in all endeavors in homes throughout the USA. Robyn considers breeding her vocation in life, and is a stay-at-home mom for all her puppies, taking time off of her career as a social worker. Robyn borrowed "Darkwind" from the title of the book The Darkwind by Tony Hillerman, who write mysteries set on Navajo lands in the southwest US.
A graduate of the University of Maryland (Summa cum Laude) with a B.S. in Sociology, Robyn is now enrolled in a Master's Degree progrom for Education at the College of Santa Fe. However the Border Collies and her family will remain the focus of her life. She has an extensive library and maintains correspondence with notable breed devotees across the globe. She also delights in sharing knowledge with others, and is consistently sought out by judges and breeders for information. Although her professional and show activities keep her busy, Robyn's real focus is on the people who become members of the "Darkwind Family." She considers the Border Collies her lifetime's work. "I'm too busy to get a paying job. I am 100% committed to my Border Collie owners. I want to help these wonderful people in every way I can, so that the dogs I breed have the best possible care, and have happy, fulfilling lives. Also, I want the owners to feel important to me--which they are." She's been quoted as saying, "I never met a Border Collie I didn't like!" Mark just hopes she doesn't drag them all home with her...the only thing that comes close to competing with her love for her dogs is her grandson, 'Jonah.' "I expect he'll be a junior handler..."
