It’s been a first and second finish for leading kelpie breeder GoGetta’s Joe Spicer in the Coprice Farm Dog Championships, at Sheepvention.
Mr Spicer, Glenthompson, won the championship for the fourth time with GoGetta Basil, which also won last year. He also took out second place, with GoGetta Clue, which was first up in the championship round of six competitors.
Third place was won by Damian Clifford, Woorndoo, with Myamba Larry.
“The last three years I have been at Hamilton, I have been lucky enough to win the Championships,” Mr Spicer said.
“It’s a good test and the better dogs come to the fore in the end.”
Basil, by Boanong Buster, out of GoGetta Elle May, is a multiple title winner, having taken out Australian and Victorian Yard Dog and Farm titles.
“He was won the Victorian championship three times.”
Mr Spicer said he put his success down to breeding and temperament.
“He can take command and wants to work with and for me, rather than working against me. He communicates and watches his stock.”
He can take command and wants to work with and for me, rather than working against me.
- Joe Spicer, Go Getta Kelpies
Mr Spicer said Basil got the sheep relaxed, but looking in the right direction, so they were easier to move.
“It’s not all about force, and pushing the stock, its about guiding them in the right direction.”
Basil, a seven-year old, was bred from champion bloodlines and one of GoGetta stud’s main sires.
“Champions come from champions – good dogs come from good dogs whether you want a farm dog, or trial dog.
He said there was a lot of prestige, which went with the Sheepvention trials, and required handlers and their dogs to work with 16 sheep.
“You have the paddock work where the sheep might not want to come down towards the crowd. You have the yards, then the drenching race and draft, before loading them onto the trailer,” he said.
Mr Spicer said he took four dogs to the titles to “hedge my bets”.
”You might draw bad sheep, or things might not quite go your way,” he said.