Around 140 dogs and 38 handlers put on a strong showing for the judges and crowd in the Central Victorian Yard Dog Championships at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo recently.
Run by the Victorian Yard Utility Farm Dog Association, this year’s event attracted dogs and their owners from Tasmania, South Australia, NSW, and across Victoria.
In the main event, the O’Sullivans Transport Championships, it was Rob Hart from Victoria, with Heritage Park Jim, who came first with 233 points.
Second was Rod Cavill, with Tundabardi Grub (216), and third was Tim Hall, Tasmania, with Pandara Tina (197).
Organiser Rod Cavill said the association had been aiming to attract interstate dogs and handlers to a “championship” style event.
That meant putting together better prize money as well as conducting a well run event with good judges and good sheep.
“This year the set up of the obstacles and course as well as the sheep made the course challenging, but achievable,” Mr Cavill said.
He said while the design was important, the sheep were the unknown element.
This year Gavin O’Sullivan provided 700 Merino wethers.
The sheep were rotated over the three-day event.
Mr Cavill said this year’s dogs performed to a high standard.
Winning owner Rob Hart said Jim was an eight year-old he bought as a pup before training.
“Jim’s a terrific dog and won trials in Tasmania before coming to Victoria. He won in Beaufort and Dean last year,” Mr Hart said.
It was like winning a state championship with the quality of the dogs in the field at Bendigo, he said.
Mr Hart said Jim was the only dog to have five runs and complete every run.
He said Jim had the power to move the bigger wethers used in the trial, particularly when the sheep were damp.
Winner of the Coprice Open was Tim Hill and Pandara Tina with a score of 165 points. Second was Vincent Gedye, with Scoriochre Pontus, 151 points, and third was Rod Cavill and Tundabardi Grub on 141.
In the Eilan Donan Improver, the placings were first Rob Hart, Heritage Park Jim - 142 points, second David Lindsay, NSW, Ella - 136 points, and third Craig Ogier, Quia Charlie - 107 points.
In the Ruralco Property Novice, first went to Roland Pell, Shooter - 180 points, second Joe Spicer, GoGetta Gibbo - 127 points, and third Travis Scott, Larnach Dodge - 170 points.
In the Stock & Land Maiden, first went to Roland Pell, Shooter - 182 points, second Joe Spicer, GoGetta Gibbo - 170 points, and third Anthony Attard, NSW, Hawksbury Coota - 168 points.