Albany Arena. 8th to 10th November 2012.

The last trial of the year in WA was an interesting one. Held in the great southern city of Albany 420 km south of Perth, both the sheep and the weather created a few problems for dogs and handlers.

Thursday and Friday were uncomfortably warm and quite unusual for Albany, being a coastal city. On Saturday though, things changed quickly and the rain set in for the day.  So all the shirtsleeves were quickly swapped for drizabones and other wet weather gear.

The novice sheep were reasonably workable, but required some pushing and dogs that lacked strength struggled with them. The 50 point ring off was used which kept the number of scores low. There were also an unusual number of crosses in this event. From 59 entries there were only 15 scores, and 23 dogs crossed.

The improver and open events were run in conjunction to save time, but it made a long haul for judge Glenice Webb.

A 40 point ring-off was used here, and in reality it was probably unnecessary as the sheep were so difficult that few people managed to do much with them, particularly in the Improver.  The main problem  was that they didn’t seem to like each other, and when they split they didn’t want to get back together.

There were only 3 scores from 48 entries. There were also a number of L/Ss in this event, as when the sheep made the decision to leave they did, and nothing could stop them.

In the open, some of the more experienced dogs did a bit better, and managed 15 scores from 37 runs.

The trial was run in conjunction with the Albany show and the background noise made things doubly difficult, for dogs, handlers and sheep.

Results. All BCs unless otherwise stated.

Novice. judged by Jane Dorrell.  

1st. Andrew Gorton. Just Sam. 73+51=124. (Kelpie X BC.)

=2nd. Simon Leaning. Olboa Jess. 62+50= 112.

=2nd. Jenny Whitelock. Boylee Sugar. 68+44=112.

4th Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Johnny. 73+35=108. (Kelpie)

5th Ken Atherton. Ramulam Jock. 60. (Kelpie)

Improver. Judged by Glenice Webb.  

1st. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Sasha. 60+90=151. (Kelpie)

2nd. Tony Boyle. Boylee Tobie. 64+71=135.

3rd. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Judy. 64+60=124.

Open. Judged by Glenice Webb.  

1st. Tony Boyle. Boylee Dale. 87+69=156.

2nd. Andrew Gorton. Boylee Ella. 68+86=154.

3rd. Dave Lacy. Akoonah Lady. 65+81=149.

4th. Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 68+77-145.

5th. Colin Cosh. Paton’s Sarge. 61+73=134.

6th. Marianne Rogers. Christies Coco. 81+43=124.

7th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Tobie. 64+51=114.

8th. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Beck. 81+31=112.

9th. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Judy. 64+31=91.

10th. Ken Atherton. Olboa Merle. 84+LSD=84.

11th. Wayne Hall. Hudsons Tasha. 78+L/S=78.

12th. Nick Webb. Morrillo Bailey. 65+L/S=65.

13th Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Sasha. 61+RTD=61. (Kelpie)

Winners of dog of the year were Ken Atherton and Olboa Merle.

Runner up was Ivan Solomon and Perengery Jill.

Winner of the breeder of the dog of the year was Hayden Harries.

Ken Athertons Malumar Al.

Andrew Gorton's Ramulam Ripper.

The Albany show, the backdrop for the trial.

Gordon Curtis and Binnaburra Sasha, covering a break at the bridge.

Also having fun at the bridge was Nick Webbs Morillo Bailey.

Jenny Palm's Badgingarra Jem.

Peter Gorman and Grassvalley Floss.

Nick Webb's Euroa Digby.  

Frank Sutherlands new dog, NZ bred Pattersons Sleet.

Wayne Hall and Hudsons Tasha, who managed to pen amid the distractions. There were only about 19 pens for the entire trial.

Some of the action we didnt mind watching,

but below was some action we preferred not to see.

Photos and article by Nan Lloyd