Ongerup three sheep. Feb 24th to 26th.

Tim Foster once again hosted the annual Ongerup trial on his property a few miles from the southern town of Ongerup. The trials commenced on Friday the 24th of Feb and concluded on Sunday the 26th.

The thursday before the trial the weather was not dissimilar to the Sahara desert, with temperatures of about 40 degrees and a strong hot northerly blowing.

Fortunately however, the weather cooled quickly to the extent that jackets were required from about 6pm, and the following three days, while not as cool as some would have liked, were a more pleasant 27 to 30 degrees.

This was fortunate, as the sheep were as usual, quite challenging to work.

Reminiscent of last year, just one competitor managed to pen for the whole weekend. This was Peter Gorman who won the novice event with Badgingarra Nell. Only a handful of competitors managed to get their sheep over the bridge, with many failing to gain an obstacle at all.

The sheep would not even look down the obstacles, despite the best efforts of dogs and handlers. There was a 50 point ring off for competitors but many people either had a cross, lost their sheep, or retired before this happened, so scores were kept to a minimum.

There were 184 entries for the trial.

Being the first trial for the year it was a great social event and a chance to catch up with old friends and check out some young dogs.

Results.

Novice. Judged by Peter Doherty.

1st. Peter Gorman. Badgingarra Nell. 64.

2nd. Andrew Gorton. Just Sam. 57

3rd. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Johnny. (Kelpie) 56.

4th Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 49.

=5th. Jenny Whitelock. Boylee Murphy. 45.

=5th Colin Cosh. Morri-Lynne Star. 45.

7th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Stephanie. 38.

8th Frank Sutherland. Rocky Judy. 36.

9th. Mick Martin. Boylee Stella. 35.

=10th. Jenny Palm. Badgingarra Lisa. 32

=10th. Germaine Seymour. Euroa Nan. 32

=10th. Grant Cooke, Grassvalley Sky. 32 

=10th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Tobie. 32

Improver. Judged by Colin Cosh.

1st. Peter Doherty. Ramulam Jen. 77.

2nd. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Sky. 73

3rd. Peter Gorman. Badgingarra Nell. 71.

4th. Jenny Atherton. Ramulam Don. 68.

5th. Ken Atherton. Badgingarra Tony. 65.

6th. Scott Welkie. Grassvalley Becky. 64.

7th. Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 63.

8th. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Judy. 61.

=9th. Dave Lacey. Akoonah Ellie. 60.

=9th. Jenny Palm. Badgingarra Lisa. 60.

Open. Judged by Ken Atherton.

1st. Ivan Solomon. Perangary Sasha. 141

2nd. Ivan Solomon. Somerville Tully. 127

3rd. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Tuff. (Kelpie) 122

4th. Grant Cooke. Pendalup Candy. 120  

5th. Ivan Solomon. Perangary Jill. 114

6th. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Moss. 103

7th. Marianne Rogers. Boylee Ceilydh. 102

=8. Marianne Rogers. Bellview Obie. 101

=8. Ivan Solomon. Perangary Beck. 101  

=10. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Jess (kelpie) 58

=10th. Malcolm Seymour. Glenview Ruby. 58.

12th. Germaine Seymour. Somerville Zoe. 54.

The trial office, probably a one of a kind but very functional.

Marianne Rogers Christies Coco, in full flight.

Marianne Rogers with Coco at the race.

Ken Atherton's Ramulam Rum.

Ken Atherton heading down the ground with Rum

The only pen of the trial, Peter Gorman with Badgingarra Nell.

Germaine Seymour with Euroa Nan.

Mick Martin with Boylee Stella.

Andrew Gorton's Just Sam.

Ivan Solomon's Somerville Tully.

Malcolm Seymour's Euroa Nell.

Photos and article by Nan Lloyd.