National Yard dog championships

The National Yard Championship was held for 2018 in the small settlement of Dinninnup, in the south west of WA.

It was a lovely ground with great facilities, including a huge firedrum for evening get togethers.

The days were fairly mild for the first few days but a couple of frosts bought out the beanies and jackets. On the final day it became very windy with light rain which made things a little uncomfortable, and made it necessary to pull down awnings and gazebos.

The sheep for the novice were small merinos, about one year old. They were tricky and did not like being bustled or they piled up in the smaller yards. The calmer dogs with some eye seemed to work them better.

The open sheep were a bit older but not easier. The draft was the hoodoo obstacle for many and finding a lead sheep to enter it was quite a task, as they simply just turned in circles and faced the dog. The truck also caused a few headaches. 

However the more experienced older dogs managed to get around in the time allowed.

It was a good challenging course and the sheep were difficult, but workable. and the top teams shone through in the end.

The trial was well run and there was some top action for the spectators. Congratulations to the WAWSDA and everybody who contributed to make it a fantastic trial.

It was a great social event and there were some late nights around the campfire, some old friendships rekindled and some new ones made.

Novice yard, judged by Hayden Harries.

1st. Joe   Spicer. Bendopark Bella Trix    78+85 =163

2nd. Matt  Fletcher. Brazier Sky               88+72=160

3rd. Joe   Spicer. GoGetta Dream            80+75=155

4th. Kevin Howell. Karana Sarah              82+59=141

5th. Nan   Lloyd.  Barkervale Oswin         89+44=133

 All open events were judged by Simon Leaning and Gordon Curtis.

RSM  Open Yard Final

                                                                        Score 1.    J. 1.   J. 2.   AVE.       Total

1st. Joe   Spicer. GoGetta Package                 90.5        92      88       90         180.5

2nd. Gary   White. Whites Fella                        79.5        96      91      93.5       173

3rd. Travis Ware. Lace                                     89           82      85      83.5       172.5

4th. Denis Kline. Richo                                     79           91      89      90         169

5th. Justin Tombs. Sunraysia George               80.5        88      86       87        167.5

6th. Sharon Barry. Andron Cliché                     82.5        86      83      84.5      167

7th. Adam   James. Tundabardi Buster             87.5        75      80      77.5      165

8th. Kevin  Howell. Karana Roy                        79.5         83      87      85        164.5

9th. Travis Scott. Hilton Pin                               79           83      75      84        163.5

10th. Nigel  Armstrong. Tumutvalley Roy          79           77      79     78         157

=11th. Rex   Hocking. Washpool Kiri                 78.5        78      75     76.5      155

=11th. Adrian Carpenter. Bamma Alf                 80.5        76      72     74         155

13th. Rex   Hocking. Washpool Wilber               82.5       71      71     71         153.5

14th. Greg  Walton. Karana max                        78          80      68    74          152

15th. Gary  White. Whites Jimmy                       76.5       74      67     70.5      147

Boyup Brook Co-op National Australian Yard Championship. Top 25

                                                                 Judge 1.  Judge 2.  Avg

1.Kevin Howell. Karana Ripper                  67           67          67

2.Denis Kline. Lola                                     74           68          71

3.Gary White. Whites Jimmy                      71           73          72

4.Nigel Armstrong. Tumutvalley Jude         RTD      RTD       RTD

5.Travis Ware. Hilton. Park Cass                37           41          39

6.Adam James. Yarrabee Scout                 76           82          79

7.Joe Spicer. Gogetta Package                  26           23           24.5

8.Rex Hocking. Washpool Kiri                     RTD

9.Travis Scott. Hilton Park Pin                    61           59           60

10.Greg Walton. Karana Jed                      79           88           83.5

11.JustinTombs. Sunraysia George            81           81           81

12.Rex Hocking. Washpool Wilber             43           43           43

13.Sharon Barry. Andron Cliché                  74          78           76

14.Ken Atherton. Ramulam Punch              81          83            82

15.Tim Hall. Tina                                         42           37            39.5

16.Adrian Carpenter. Bamma Alf                 67          72            69.5

17.Greg Walton. Karana Max                       82          79            80.5

18.Rex Hocking. Washpool Turbo               83           78            80.5.

19.Kevin Howell. Karana Roy                      53           52           52.5

20.Travis Scott. Broken River Kev                DQ         DQ          DQ

21.Adam James. Tundabardi Buster            69           73            71

22.Gary White. Whites Fella                         80           74           77

23.Joe Spicer. Gogetta Basil                        78            76           77

24.Nigel Armstrong. Tumutvalley Roy          44            38           41

25.Travis Ware. Lace                                    89            88          88.5

26.Denis Kline. Richo                                    79            77          76.5

Boyup Brook Co-op National Australian Yard Championship Final

                                                                  Score 1.        J1          J2          AVG              TOTAL

1st. Travis  Ware. Lace                                  88.5           85          84          84.5                  173

2nd. Greg  Walton. Karana Jed                     83.5           84          87           85.5                 169

3rd. Justin Tombs. Sunraysia George           81              90          84           87                     168

4th, Joe Spicer. GoGetta Basil                      77              90          89           89.5                  166.5

5th. Greg  Walton. Karana Max                     80.5           85          78           81.5                  162 

6th. Adam James. Yarrabee Scout                79              86          79           82.5                  161.5                                                   

7th. Ken Atherton. Ramulam Punch               82               79        75            77                     159

8th. Rex Hocking. Washpool Turbo.               80.5.           79        73           76.                     156.5

9th. Gary  White. Whites Fella                        77               78       72            75                      152

10th. Denis Kline. Richo                                 76.5            LS        LS          LS                      76.5

Photos and article by Nan LLoyd