The first utility trial for the year was held at Binnaburra, a property owned by Gordon and Sara Curtis near Kellaberrin in the northen wheatbelt of WA.

The cast is one of the longest in WA and has a large tree almost in the middle of the ground, so if the dog or the sheep happen to be behind it it is neccessary to squat down in order to see them.

This year the sheep were a little flightly, so during the yard course some of the more pushier dogs had a few problems with them jumping over fences. They were also a little stubborn and proved tricky to push from the paddock into the yard. Some competitors lost a lot of time here.

The weather varied from cold to almost freezing as is often the case at Binnaburra. The country is fairly flat and the wind lazy and almost artic.

There were some great runs including three perfect yard scores. One from new trialler Geoff Hillman with the stylish Yarralonga Jess, one from Ken Atherton and Ramulam Gus and one from Nigel Armstrong and Yarralonga Darkie.

 
Enc
Geoff Hillman Yarralonga Jess 80
Rob Gibson Tessa 40

Novice Yard
Judge Andrew Gorton.

 
Geoff Hillman Yarralonga Jess 92
Neil Eastough Grassvalley Tinki 91
Ken Atherton Ramulam Lad 88
Nan Lloyd Christies Driftz 81
Hayden Harries Ramulam Woofy 74

 
Novice Utility
Judge Andrew Gorton.

 
Ken Atherton Ramulam Lad 185
Rod Forsythe Binnaburra Wal 174
Marianne Rogers Bellview Obie 167
Geoff Hillman Yarralonga Jess 157
Neil Eastough Grassvalley Tinki 145

 
Open Yard
Judge Nigel Armstrong.

 
Nigel Armstrong Yarralonga Darkie 99.5
Ken Atherton Ramulam Gus 90
Nigel Armstrong Yarralonga Blue 87.5
Hayden Harries Olboa Ben 87
Ken Atherton Ramulam Lad 84
Rod Forsythe Binnaburra Milo 84
Neil Eastough Grassvalley Tinki 83
Tony Boyle Boylee Dale 80
Tony Boyle Boylee Tobie 78
Gordon Curtis Binnaburra Tuff 78
Hayden Harries Macs Magic 78
Ken Atherton Kiwi Knight 77


Open Utility
Judge Nigem Armstrong.

 
Gordon Curtis Binnaburra Tuff 187
Gordon Curtis Binnaburra Jess 186
Ken Atherton Kiwi Knight 186
Ken Atherton Ramulam Gus 184
Andrew Gorton Boylee Ella 179
Nigel Armstrong Yarralonga Darkie 178
Ken Atherton Ramulam Lad 166
Hayden Harries Olboa Ben 161
Rod Forsythe Binnaburra Milo 157
Tony Boyle Boylee Tobie 153
Marianne Rogers Bellview Obie 150
Neil Eastough Grassvalley Tinki 150

Rod Forsyth Looking for Binnaburra Basil.

Rob Gibson's Kelelpie Kelly backing in the yard.

Tony Boyle and Boylee Sugar covering a break.

Geoff Hillman's Yarralonga Jess.

Rod Forsyth's Binnaburra basil.

Novice Utility winners Ken Atherton and Ramulam Ladd.

Neil Eastough's Grassvalley Tinky.

Blending in with the farm machinery are Geoff Hillman, Rod Forsyth, Nigel Armstrong

and Tony Boyle.