Kelpie trials and sheep shows set
Organisers of a Horsham sheepdog trial hope this year’s event will cement the show as a staple of the Victorian workingdog scene.
The 2022 Wimmera Yard Dog Trial, at Horsham showground’s Maydale Reserve on Saturday and Sunday, part of Wimmera Merino Sheep Show, will attract working dogs from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales to Horsham for two days of competitive events.
Organiser and sheepdog handler Ged Bibby said following on from the success of the inaugural 2021 event, everyone was looking forward to the show attracting more than 80 ‘mostly’ kelpies and their handlers.
“The event is broken up into sections with ‘encourage’ and local dogs starting on Saturday afternoon, maiden and novice dogs on Sunday morning, then the improvers and open dogs on Sunday afternoon,” he said.
“For all those in the local pubs who might talk up how good their dogs are, the Saturday is your time to shine. I certainly encourage all the local guys to put an entry form in.”
Mr Bibby said spectators would experience some of Australia’s best working dogs and handlers competing on the Sunday.
“The event is timed well in terms of the broader Australian sheepdog trial scene. South Australia has its state championships just before the weekend, and many of those dogs will pull in on their way back through to New South Wales,” he said.
“And the Australian Championships are on in Tasmania the week after, so the timing is perfect for some of the best to compete in Horsham.”
Mr Bibby confirmed five-time Australian champion Joe Spicer would be competing on Sunday.
He said while the sport was very competitive, experienced handlers were eager to see others competing in less experienced categories.
“It is a great social event and we would love spectators to come out to the showground to watch,” he said. “This is the second time the trials will be part of the Victorian Yard Dog Utility
Farm Dog Association and we’ve had great feedback from the community,” he said.
“It is great chance for people to come down and run into old contacts they maybe haven’t seen in a while.
“We have a judge for each section. Each competitor starts with 100 points and the judge deducts points for various factors, with the highest point scorer progressing through the event.”
Mr Bibby said the trials will work in tandem with the Wimmera Autumn Merino Sheep Show at the showground.
“The merino sheep show had a great following last year and they come from all over Australia,” he said.
“We will marry up with them again. We go and have a look at their sheep and they come and have a look at our dogs.”
Mr Bibby acknowledged Wimmera Mallee Veterinary Service in Warracknabeal and DMD, which sponsored the event and volunteered its time.
“Lots of people are getting back into sheep and people love to see a good dog going around. I think it is only going to get bigger and better from here,” he said.
“The work of Steve Robinson and Kevin Woods has been enormous in organising the event as well. So too, Nathan Plush, who has offered his sheep again for the weekend, and Peter Vincent who will transport them to and from the showgrounds.”
The return of the Wimmera Autumn Merino Sheep Show on Sunday, for its second year, will attract more than 20 studs from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
The show also welcomes judges Claire Mcgauchie and Nicole Crawford.
Organisers said the show provides a visual exhibition where families can engage directly with rural life, and food and fibre production, while also enabling growers to compare stock.
The Wimmera Autumn Fleece Show, also on Sunday, rounds out a bumper weekend for the Horsham Agricultural Society.
Admission details are available on Horsham Agricultural Society social media page.