Albany arena. Nov 7th, 8th, 9th.

The last arena trial of the year was at the coastal city of Albany, 420 kms south of Perth.

Albany is renown for difficult sheep and  this year was no exception. Big solid stubborn wethers, many of which were partly wool blind, created headaches for dogs and handlers alike.  They ran onto the dogs, refused to come down the ground, and if they felt like it,  jumped over the fences to get back with their woolly friends. There were only a handful of pens for the whole weekend, and many crosses and retires.

The weather didnt help. Handlers didnt know what to wear. On friday there were periods of warm sunny weather followed by cold heavy rain.  Sat and Sun was fine, but with very cold nights.

As is typical in Albany the wind blew hard  most of the time making things uncomfortable and blowing hats off.  The dogs struggled to hear the handlers and the showground noise at the back of the trial ground made communication difficult.

Albany was  a lovely setting however, and facitlites excellent, and we all enjoyed the challenge, i’m sure, at least those watching enjoyed the action.

In the Novice there were 7 scores from 32 entries, in the improver 10 scores from 36 entries and in the open 23 scores from 60 entries. 

Results.

Novice, judged by Nan Lloyd.

1st. Glenice Webb. Davids Nina. 65+48=113.

2nd. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Nikki. 69+40=109.

3rd. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Ben. 54+l/s=54. Kelpie.

4th. Phil Dorrell. Ramulam Tippy. 48+X=48.

5th. Andrew Gorton. Just Murray. 45+Scr=45. Kelpie.

6th. Greg Dorrell. Cloverlea Cobber. 34.

7th. Doreen Hansen. Jandoree Molly. 33.

Improver Judged by Phill Dorrell.

1st. Jenny Whitelock. Jandoree Kinta. 47+70=117.

2nd. Tim Foster. Jandoree Sadie. 46+41= 87.

3rd. Peter Gorman. Pendelup Toby. 59+X=59.

4th. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Ben. 58+RTYD=58.Kelpie.

5th. Greg Dorrell. Ramulam Emma. 57+X=57.

6th. Tony Boyle. Chillie. 45. KelpieXHuntaway. 

7th. Ken Atherton. Boylee Cass. 44.

8th. Jenny Whitelock. Coshies Charm. 39.

=9th. Colin Cosh. Coshies Heidi. 33.

=9th. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Skip. 33.

Open Judged by Frank Sutherland.

1st. Tony Boyle. Boylee Sugar. 73+73=146. 

2nd. Tony Boylee. Boylee Burnie. 64+52=116.

3rd. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Sasha. 55+57=112.

4th. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Floss. 53+58=111.

5th. Dave Lacey. Akoonah Del. 63+44=107.

6th. Jane Dorrell. Rocky Dusty. 47+55=102.

7th. Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 55+46=101.

8th. Tony Boyle Boylee Mustard. 88+X=88.

9th. Nick Webb. Morillo Cinda. 73+X=73.

10th. Dave Lacey. Fleetwood Devil. 60+RTD=60.

11th. Jenny Whitelock. Jandoree Kinta. 52+X=52.

12th. Ken Atherton Ramulam Punch. 47+X=47.  Kelpie.

Dog of the year was decided and won by Grant Cooke and Grassvalley Floss. Second was Ivan Solomon and Somerville Tully.

Winner of the novice dog aggregate was Gordon Curtis and Binnaburra Ben.

The Cocoachina trophy for the novice worker with the highest scoring dog in the Dog of the Year was Jane Dorrel and Rocky Dusty.

Winner of the highest scoring dog in the first round of the open was Tony Boyle with Boylee Mustard.

Peter Gorman's Pendalup Sue, having  a few problems with a stubborn sheep.

Ivan Solomons Perengary Mac.

Phil Dorrell and Ramulam Tippy.

Dave Laceys Fleetwood Devil.

Ken Atherton's Boylee Cass.

Frank Sutherland and Rocky Nikki.

Tim Fosters Gwaerfyn Dibley.

Helen Svalbe's Booninning Swag, waiting his turn.

Photos and article by Nan Lloyd.