Ballidu Arena, July 17th to 20th.

Ballidu Arena trial was on again this year after missing last year due to the drought and lack of sheep.

Ballidu is a popular trial, facilities are excellent and the dinner on Friday evening was as usual an enjoyable event, despite certain club members misbehaving a bit. (No names will be mentioned for fear of incrimination).

The sheep were not easy however. The novice sheep were young shorn wethers, and the improver and open sheep were their woolly sisters. 

They were touchy and inclined to bolt if upset, but some of the steadier dogs worked them well.

 When they decided to make a break though, they went hard and fast and usually over the fence, sometimes before the dog even managed to get around them on the cast.

The open final was interesting, as four of the top scoring dogs crossed one after the other. 

The weather was lovely on Sat and Sun despite chilly nights but on Sat night and into Sun the rain  arrived, much to the delight of the locals who need it, but it made things a bit miserable for the competitors and Judge.

The ringoff system was again used. There were 66 entries in the Novice, 64 in the improver and 67 in the open.

Results.

Encourage.

1st. Katie Rose. Bellview Bella.

Novice. Judged by Doreen Hansen.

1st. Ken Atherton.. Boylee Cass. 96.

2nd. Peter Gorman. Pendalup Sue. 91.

3rd. Colin Cosh. Avalon Icy. 88.

4th. Ivan Solomon. MGH Kim. 87.

5th. Gordon Curtis. Binnaburra Ben. 84. (Kelpie)

6th. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Nikki. 82.

=7th. Colin Cosh. Coshies Goldie. 76

=7th Phil Dorrell. Ramulam Tippy. 76.

9th. Rick Janitz. Jandoree Sparky. 71.

10th. Jenny Nolan. Nolans Eddy.

Improver. Judged by Yvonne Haynes.

1st. Ken Atherton. Ramulam Punch. 87. (Kelpie)

2nd. Glenice Webb. Davids Nina. 87. (Ken won this event in a Runnoff.)

3rd. Ken Atherton Boylee Cass. 86.

4th. Peter Gorman Pendalup Sue. 81.

=5th. Frank Sutherland. Rocky Nikki. 79.

=5th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Sugar. 79.

7th. Nan Lloyd. Barru Zilla. 74. (Kelpie)

8th Jean Hydleman. Ramulam Maddie. 70. (KelpieX BC)

9th. Nan Lloyd. Kumbark Rocket. 69 (Kelpie)

=10th. Jenny Whitelock. Jandoree KInta. 68.

=10th. Ivan Solomon. MGH Kim. 68.

Open Judged by Glenice Webb.

1st. Andrew Gorton. Just Sam. 87+85=172. (Kelpie X BC)

2nd. Peter Gorman. Badgingarra Jem. 93+78=171.

3rd. Ken Atherton. Ramulam Lad. 84+86=170.  (Kelpie)

4th. Ivan Solomon. Somerville Tully. 86+80=166.

5th. Grant Cooke. Grassvalley Sky. 92+72=164.

6th. Ivan Solomon. Perengary Sasha. 88+73=161.

7th. Peter Gorman. Princes Sally. 89+71=160.

8th. Peter Gorman. Pendalup Sue.84+66=150.

9th. Malcolm Seymour. Euroa Nell. 90+X=90.

10th. Tony Boyle. Boylee Mustard. 89+X=89.

11th. Dave Lacey. Akoonah Del. 87+SCR+87.

12th. Colin Cosh. Rosie. (NZ). 85+X=85.

13th. Peter Gorman. Somerville Glenda. 84+X=84.

Andrew Gorton and Just Sam closing the gate on their winning run.

Carolyn Bells Bellview Bella.

Peter Gormans Somerville Glenda.

Some of the letout team, hard at work.

Jenny Nolans Grassvalley LOL. (Lilly)

Ray Sutherland and Swagman Cyndy, in an awkward spot at the bridge.

Ken Athertons Boylee Cass.

Colin Cosh's Coshies Heidi.

Article and photos by Nan Lloyd.