DOG OF A DAY
A CROUCHING collie studies its three targets while intently noting the instructions of its master.
If all goes to plan, the woolly trio ends up in a pen, and the observant working dog gets a well-earned pat.
But sometimes it doesn’t go to plan.
An overeager dog can make a sheep bolt, and even the slightest spook falls foul of the judges, who circumnavigate the arena observing every move via golf cart.
You have to feel for those who bring dogs from across Bass Strait, or the Nullarbor, just for this event, only for one wrong move to end their title tilt within 30 seconds.
Deans Marsh sheep dog trials organiser Jill Stewart said fortunately these sheep, which hail from Steve Turner’s Cressy farm, are quite easy-going, leading to high scores from some of the top competitors in the country.
Each competitor starts on 100 points, and loses points for failing to execute a variety of manoeuvres through cones, obstacles and finally into a pen within 15 minutes.
“It’s amazing the representation this year. People have been coming from all over Australia,” M Ms Stewart
said. “W “We’ve got tw two of the t top four triallers in Australia here and the sheep ar are working really well, s so they’re all really happy with that.
“You’ve got no guarantee you’ll have co-operative sheep every year. Last year they weren’t anywhere near as cooperative.
“If you’ve got really good dogs working the sheep, they can actually calm the sheep down.
“They should be welltrained, they should be calm, they should learn to work off the sheep really well so you’ve got humane and ethical treatment of your sheep.”
Veteran Western Australian dog trainer Dave Lacey, who represented Australia in 2017, said that late thoroughbred counterpart Bart Cummings was once asked what made a good trainer, and a good horse.
“He said: ‘ Time and patience’. This is no different’,” Mr Lacey said. “Your dog has to be forceful, but you can’t frighten the sheep.
“You’ve just got to take them around steady. You can deliver them in five minutes and get around, but if you try to get them around in two min- utes, you get the sheep too upset.
“With stock, when n you’re in a hurry, go slow, because it’s quickcker.”
Trialling has previously ously been a male-dominated ed domain, but an increasing ng number of females are getting involved.
Bannockburn dog groomer Kelly Hodgson, who has as spent four years on a steep learning curve, said she had her r doubt doubters, but fortunately also some of the best supporters and great dogs.
“Even in 4 ½ years there are heaps more females getting involved,” she said.
“You have to learn to read the sheep, as well as your dog, and I was probably a bit ambitious trying to train a dog four years into it, but I’ve been training for two years.
“You have to be calm, always calm, which is easier said than done.”
The 37-year-old, and threeyear-old short-haired border collie Coshies George, scored 74 yesterday in what was a per- sonal best for the pair pair.
Ms Hodgson said d it was great to see e the region rallying around Deans Marsh as the trials tour western Victoria, culminating in the Commonwealth Champion- ships in Port Fairy. Deans Marsh h sheep dog trials Deans Marsh arsh Mem Memorial Park, Pennyroyal Valley Rd, Deans Marsh Today and tomorrow 7am to 5pm