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Sheep dogs on trial

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The Moulamein sheep dog trials has returned showcasing the incredible bond of human and working dog. Barry McKenzie, Moulamein Working Dog Club president, had four dogs – two mature dogs and two pups – in the competition and was delighted to have the competition running again.

“We’ve had two years off because of restrictions and it’s good to be back. One thing we had this year is ten compete in the encourage section, which is the beginner section, and we’ve never had that before. We ran them in a section on their own and had a special judge for them. It’s good to see new trialers coming on.”

Chris Davies from Wonthaggi had travelled nine hours to get to the event, a sport that came across her path by chance.

“I thought only farmers did that (trialling) sort of thing. I got a little kelpie pup given to me and wanted something for it to do. From the day I went out and put it round sheep, and just to see them naturally do stuff without me knowing, just her, it was like whoa, this is good.

“They’re incredible, they’re just amazing. Their ability and the way they read the stock. After doing it once or twice, they know what’s required out there.”

Chris and her dog, Zoe, had just competed. Zoe is one of seven dogs Chris has, five working and two retired.

“She (Zoe) was scared of the thunder yesterday. She was a wreck and I didn’t even know if she’d trial today.

“I walked up to the box, and I said ‘sheep’, and she sprang to life.”

Paul O’Kane from Cobram came to trialling after a car accident in 1985. “I woke up and couldn’t walk and couldn’t talk, couldn’t think. This has helped me rehabilitate,” he said.

Paul found that being out with the dog and a few sheep, he could get lost in the moment. Prior to his accident, Paul was a talented sportsman playing football for North Melbourne reserves and represented Wangaratta, Murray and Western Border in the junior league. Trialling reignited his passion.

“If I didn’t have something I could be good at, I would have been drunk or locked up.”

This pursuit of success has led Paul to represent Australia six times, winning a national, two NSW, two Victorian and one Queensland state championships. When asked what makes a good dog, Paul believes it has to be in them.

“You can’t make them; they’ve got it and you develop it. It’s gotta get to the front, it’s gotta want to be with you and work with you. A good dog does it and you can’t make them.”

Paul names dogs after prominent Australians, from Evonne Goolagong to Norm Smith medallist, Isaac Smith, with one exception, Charles Dickens, after the ‘pommy’ sire.

It was the first Moulamein competition for John Perry of Bredbo NSW. John started trialling in 1983 that complemented his day-to-day stock work.

“All my life, I’ve worked on station and mustered a lot of mountain country.

“I was a shearing contractor for 40 years.”

John’s dogs were invaluable when working the steep mountain country and believes that you can see the traits of a good dog at six months old.

“When you pick a pup, you can’t tell until they’re about six months old.

“He’s got to be keen and he’s got to be calm; the fizzy, jumpy fellas are no good.

“Calm and smooth in their movements, otherwise they upset the sheep.

“I start with them when they’re about three or four months old, just little bits probably with an older dog just to get them started.

“Usually by the time they’re 14 months old, they’re on the ground (trialling).”

John’s dogs are all named after tennis players, Raffu, who had just competed with John had won a national title and was runner-up the following year.

The results were:

Novice Final

  1. Paul Prentice and Bad Boy Miss Snip
  2. Pip Hudson and Barcoo Quen
  3. Kyleigh Victory and Brands Hatch Bailey
  4. Paul Prentice and Bad Boy Miss Red
  5. Wally Dalton and Oneandonly Buster

Improver Final

  1. John Tuddenham and Tintagel Peta
  2. John Tuddenham and Mia 2nd
  3. Kyleigh Victory and Brands Hatch Bailey

Open Final

  1. John Tuddenham and Mia 2nd
  2. John Perry and Bredbo Ash
  3. John Perry and Bredbo Kenny
  4. Chris Davies and Berrydon Sapphire
  5. John Tuddenham and Tintagel Peta
  6. Paul Prentice and Brands Hatch Tullamore Dew
  7. Wally Dalton and Barkers Chayse
  8. John Perry and Boko Raffu
  9. John Stewart and M8
  10. Chris Davies and Buruma Penny
The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper 6 October 2022

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 6 October 2022.

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