Wagin Arena, March 7th to 9th.

Unusual weather was the most notable thing about this years Wagin Arena Trial. The rain started on Wednesday and continued on and off for most of the trial, resulting in well over an inch of rain. Fortunately it was mainly light rain and there was no wind. It was in fact very humid and warm, making it uncomfortable to wear rain gear, so we had to choose whether to be too wet or too warm.

Handlers, dogs, and sheep enjoyed the cooler conditions. Wagin often has temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s.

The trial is run in conjunction with the Woolorama, Western Australia's biggest sheep and wool show. The Woolorama has been running since 1972.

The sheep were one to two year old Merino wethers and proved fairly tricky. They did not like being pushed around and worked better for the calmer dogs that gave them some distance and did not over head. They were quick to pick up on the weaker dogs and a few dogs were chased off the ground. Others had a real battle to get them to move at all. The first two obstacles were the most difficult, but the sheep generally penned quite well, for those that managed to get that far.

As usual it was a well run and successful trial.

Thanks to Tim Quartermaine for the use of the sheep, Chris English for transport of sheep, Peter Rundle - Woolorama Show Patron, Bairstow’s Transport, Westcoast Wools and Gilmac Hay.

Many thanks also to the main sponsor Grainfeeds of Wagin, a long term sponsor of the Woolorama trial through provision of Alert Plus dog biscuits, also Wagin Motel and Midalia Steel for their ongoing support.

Results

Encourage, judged by Neil Kristianson.

1st. Frank Mainard. Akoonah Sherry. 61.

2nd. Frank Mainard. Coshies Buddy. 58.

3rd. Frank Mainard. MeMate Mick. 4.

Novice, judged by Allan Dunn.

1st. Peter Gorman. Rocky Bindy 83.

2nd. Simon Leaning. Marionvale Lad. 77.

3rd. Dave Lacey. Coshies Kimba. 70.

=4th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Cournel. 64.

=4th. Neil Kristianson. Pendalup Sambo. 64

6th. Len Morton. Perengary Sadie. 57.

7th. Phil Dorrell. Jandoree Shrek. 55.

8th. Jan Cornish. Bellview Ted. 53.

=9th. Rod Forsyth. Grassvalley Hazel. 51.

=9th. Blake Robinson. Ed. 51. Kelpie X

Improver, judged by Karyn Buller.

1st. Simon Leaning. Marionvale Lad.78.

2nd. Doreen Hansen. Jandoree Harley. 71.

3rd. Dave Lacey. Coshies Kimba. 65.

4th. Ken Atherton. Karrobar Cobba. 64 Kelpie

5th. Dave Lacey. Somerville Katie. 62.

=6th. Simon Leaning. Marionvale Mindy.60.Kelpie

=6th. Blake Robinson. Ed. 60. Kelpie X

=6th. Neil Kristianson. Pendalup Sambo. 60.

9th. Nan Lloyd. Kumbark Ace. 59. Kelpie.

10th. Len Morton. Perangery Sadie. 58.

Open, Judged by Simon Leaning.

1st. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Sky. 82+93=175.

2nd. Ken Atherton. Ramulam Punch. 90+81=171. Kelpie.

3rd. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Sasha. 82+84=166.

4th. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Trish. 76+88=164.

5th. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Fly. 77+78=155.

6th. Peter Gorman. Pendalup Steel. 81+71=152.

=7th. Dave Lacey. Akoonah Blondie. 81+67=148.

=7th. Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 84+64=148.

9th. Peter Gorman. Coshies Dusty. 87+57=144.

10th. Dave Lacey. Akoonah Holly. 80+56=136.

11th. Phil Dorrell. Ramulam Tippy. 82+DQ=82.

12th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Sugar. 78+rtd=78.

Ken Atherton's Karrobar Cobba.

Peter Gorman's Coshies Dusty.

Phill Dorrell and Ramulam Tippy.

Jan Cornish's Bellview Ted.

Ivan Solomon's Perangery Trish.

Tony Boyle's Boylee Midget.

Photos and article by Nan Lloyd.