Margaret River Arena.

Margaret River Arena, 18th and 19th October

Although an unofficial event Margaret River trials are always popular and usually the weather is warm and sunny.

This year however, from Friday afternoon the rain started and continued on and off, becoming heavy on Saturday afternoon as we finished the trials and packed up the grounds whilst sloshing around in the water. It has been a very wet spring down south of WA this year, but as rain is always welcome no-one complained too much. It did however put a dampener on the show which is run in conjunction with the trial and the crowds were down.

The sheep were challenging as they always are at Margaret River. Freshly shorn large corriedale crosses that quickly worked out the dogs that were lacking in strength. They were very keen to get back to the letouts once the dog was on them and many dogs struggled to hold them as they simply bolted back down the ground. It also became a bit dangerous for the letout staff, as on occasion the sheep simply smashed through the gate or went over the top in a bid to get back ‘home.’

The bridge was the most difficult obstacle and many dogs retired here or ran out of time. The rain didnt help as the wet ramp became slippery.

Despite this they were very good trial sheep and there were some high scores and a fair few pens.

Due to time restraints we did not run an open final.

There were 55 entries in the novice and 76 in the open.

Results.

Novice, judged by Jenny Palm.

1st. Simon Leaning. Chidlow Floss. 94

2nd Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Ben. 89. (Kelpie)

=3rd. Rick Janitz. Jandoree Sparky. 88.

=3rd. Rick Janitz. Badgingarra Izzy. 88.

5th. NIck Webb. Morillo Roy. 87.

6th. Bernie Jones. Bellview Teddy. 86.