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New Sheepdog club & trial in Victoria South West
NEW SHEEPDOG CLUB AND TRIAL IN VICTORIA’S SOUTH WEST
Article by Marion Whalan
The South West Sheepdog Club Incorporated is a non-profit organisation (affiliated with the Victorian Working Sheepdog Association) which is dedicated to promoting the sport of three sheep trialling and encouraging new people into the sport. The club supports owners, breeders, and workers of sheepdogs by conducting training days and trials. The South West Sheepdog Club was formed in 2020.
Club president and vet student, Irishman Conor McConnell said the club provides opportunities for members to gain knowledge, share their interest in sheepdog working and to become more proficient in the sport of sheepdog trialling.
“I have been fortunate to train with some of the best sheepdog workers in the country and I want to share the knowledge that has been passed on to me by these experienced triallers. If our sport is to grow, we need to improve the knowledge of workers and help everyone trial more successfully.”
Recently, from July 9th to 11th, the club successfully ran its first Trans-Tasman three sheep trial at Branxholme in western Victoria. sheepdog trials with those from New Zealand. With 112 dogs and 40 handlers entered, the trial ran from dawn to dusk over the first two days at Branxholme, with the last 10 dogs running on Sunday morning, followed by finals in the Novice, Improver and Open competitions.
Competitors as young as six years of age competed, along with handlers from across Victoria, South Australia, southern New South Wales, and some travelling from as far as Queensland to attend. The trial attracted strong local support from sponsors and the community, enabling the club to post $1000 on offer for first prize in the Open competition, which was won by Jim Dodge, from Snake Valley in Victoria with his dog Paton’s Cooper.
NO Worker
108 Jim Dodge
Dog
Patons Cooper
59 Stefan Cross (SA) 88 Stefan Cross (SA)
Echo Park Lady Echo Park Bazza 110 Conor McConnell (NSW) McConnells Lad 33 Conor McConnell (NSW) Jandoree Blue 12 Conor McConnell (NSW) Marong Murphy 71 Paul O'Kane O'Kanes Majorie Jackson 109 Paul Darmody (NSW) Wondara Troy 64 Conor McConnell (NSW) Echo Park Glen 31 Jim Dodge McConnell's Cash
Improver - Top 5
NO Worker Dog
12 Conor McConnell (NSW) Marong Murphy 25 Bill Paton Wondara Texas
31 Jim Dodge 36 Ken Jelbart
McConnell's Cash MGH Sammy 51 Conor McConnell (NSW) McConnells Goldie
Novice - Top 5
NO Worker Dog
12 Conor McConnell (NSW) Marong Murphy 17 Richard Davies Coopendale Bindi
25 Bill Paton Wondara Texas
58 Brad Clarke 31 Jim Dodge Nolans Ginger McConnell's Cash
OPEN FINAL TOTAL PLACE
93 87 89 87.5 78 91.5 78.5 86 80 79 84.5 88.5 86 68.5 60.5 42 43.5 30.5 R X 177.5 175.5 175 156 138.5 133.5 122 116.5 80 79 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NOVICE FINAL TOTAL PLACE
91.5 76 79 54.5 52.5
42 39.5 X X DQ 133.5 115.5 79 54.5 52.5 1 2 3 4 5
NOVICE FINAL TOTAL PLACE
91.5 75 76 72.5 79
42 46 39.5 41 X 133.5 121 115.5 113.5 79 1 2 3 4 5
DC's Madra Country
