Beginners Guide to Utility Trials
Article by Lauren Vest What is a Utility Trial? So far, we have covered yard, three sheep and cattle trialling. Utility trials include a combination of elements from both yard trialling and three sheep trialling, with the aim to test the allround ability of dogs working sheep in both the yards and the paddock as you might need on a station. Sheep are worked both out in the paddock through obstacles that resemble a three sheep course, as well as through a simple yard course usually including a drench race and a draft. Generally, three or five sheep are worked outside in the paddock and a larger number of sheep are worked through the yard section. Utility trials require a dog to be able to settle and steer smaller numbers of sheep well enough to guide them through obstacles and around the course, as well as be forceful enough to push sheep through the tighter confines of the yard section. This contributes to smaller entry numbers at utility trials when compared to the other trialling disciplines, as dogs need to have a broader range of skills to complete a utility course successfully. The first part of a utility course is the cast, which is usually as long as is practical within the grounds being used (often a country show arena/ring). As in a three sheep trial, the handler stands at a post and casts their dog in the direction of their choice around the sheep at the other end. The dog must lift the sheep calmly and bring them in as straight a line as possible to the handler. Points are lost for the sheep moving off course (away from the straight line between the starting point and the handlers post). There is a marked area around the handlers post called the delivery area and the sheep must be brought within this area before you can leave the post. Some utility trials differ in order from this point; however, most proceed into the yards from here. Generally, there are sheep already within the yard section waiting to be worked through, and you will either box your outside sheep into the yard mob or put them in
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a separate yard to be taken back outside once you complete the yard section. The yard section is usually a simple version of a yard trial course, including a drench race that may require backing to fill or unload, and a draft section. Higher levels may include a trailer to load and unload. Usually, the yard sheep will stay in the yards for several runs being recycled, before they are swapped out. You will either draft the correct number of sheep out to take back outside or recover your original sheep from where they were placed, as you go on to complete the last paddock section of the course. The final paddock section usually resembles a three sheep course with obstacles that may include a gap or a race, corridors to keep your sheep within while moving between obstacles and a pen to finish the course. ach trial may add novel elements as they choose but these are the most common. Points are lost for sheep leaving the corridors, getting too far ahead or behind the handler or the sheep going around an obstacle rather than through. The handler will lose points if they do not walk a straight line between obstacles, leave the assigned point to stand at obstacles before the sheep are through or influence the sheep. The dog will lose points for tail turning, unwarranted biting or toileting on the course. The dog crossing between the sheep and the handler usually results in disqualification out in the paddock section and a points loss inside the yard section (though this is at each judge’s discretion). The trial is complete when the gate is closed on the pen with the sheep inside. The course is timed, which varies between trials but is usually around 15-20 minutes a run. If you run out of time before you complete the course, you will lose a set number of points for each obstacle left incomplete. Points start from 100 at the beginning of your run and are deducted for any errors as you proceed through the course.
