Rappville felt the love on the weekend, dog trial organiser Janelle McLennan said.

Despite Covid restrictions causing cancellations from Queensland, there were 200 entries and 40 competitors at the NW Working Cattle Dog Trial.

Competitors came from across the state to the Resilience NSW Rappville Rebounds dog trial, the first in Rappville since the 2019 fires.

“People came to support Rappville,” Janelle said.

The Saturday winds made it difficult for the cattle. “Like children, the wind doesn’t help the cattle,” she said.

There were several zero scores as the wind hampered individual trials. James Kennedy and his dog had the high score of 97.5.

David Bracks from Theresa Creek has been judging dog trials for more than 10 years.

Competitors start with a score of 100 and lose points for mistakes. If the dog came between the owner and the cattle that was five points off, David said.

“A lot of people retired today,” he said of the windy conditions.

David said he had seen a lot of dogs and their owners in his years of judging. “A working dog has to be keen to work and to listen. You’ve got to have a relationship with the dog and eye contact.”

This article appeared in the Richmond River Independent, 21 July 2021.