THE Cobber Stock Dog Spectacular delivered a full seven–day schedule of events incorporating the Labour Day long weekend, with dog trials aplenty at the Mansfield Showgrounds.
Dog trials have become an extremely popular sport with the skills and training of the team, competitor and dog, on display as the stock are moved through obstacles around a course within a set time limit.
Rod Cavill, president of the Australian Yard Dog Association, confirmed that the event had been highly anticipated and planned for by working stock dog enthusiasts from across the state and Australia, with competition standard outstanding.
"It's always a fantastic opportunity for spectators to watch the very best work dogs compete for honours in two of the most prestigious trials in the country, the National Kelpie Field Trial and the Australian Yard Dog Championships, then top it off with the very highly regarded and challenging Supreme Stock Dog Challenge," he said.
It was the first time all three competitions were run back–to–back with over 300 dogs competing across the board, representing 90 individual trainers, with a strong contingent of Victorians making it onto the scoreboard.
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Kicking off first was the National Kelpie Field Trial for registered dogs on the Thursday and Friday.
The trial showcased the versatility of kelpies with the emphasis on outside paddock work handling three or five sheep with a cast, lift and draw and three obstacles, as well as a relatively simple yard section where some force may be required.
Hotly contested, NSW trainer Kevin Howell won the trophy with Karana Roy IV.
Placing second was Victoria's Adam James with Myamba Moss and taking out third was NSW–based Robert Cox with Bruiser.
The Australian Yard Dog Championships was next up, with over 130 dogs in the Open and Improver class competing.
Generally held alongside the National Kelpie Field Trial, the scheduling allows interstate competitors the opportunity to compete in both events while on the road.
The Australian Yard Dog Championships have been running since 1982 and are open to any breed or crossbreed and does not require breed registration for entry.
The yard course is designed to show that the dog can block, hold and force their sheep, and to allow a more forceful yard dog to express itself.
Hamilton–based trainer Joe Spicer with his dog GoGetta Clue won the top prize, with state champion Kate Jubb and her dog Woodja Cruise coming in second.
Kate is based in Hexham, on a sheep and cattle farm and brought three dogs along to the national trials with two making the top 25.
Third was Tasmanian, Tim Hall with Jindi Spade.
Finishing up the week, the Supreme Stock Dog Challenge showcased dogs and their handlers across three sections on both cattle and sheep.
This included a traditional three sheep course with a cast, lift and draw and three obstacles to negotiate; a yard course, where block, hold and cover as well as force to load and unload a truck are required and a cattle trial where three angus weaners are worked in the camp and then released to negotiate three obstacles on the arena.
Scores were then combined to determine the Champion, with the overall title of this ultimate test of handler and dog going to Armidale–base Justin Tombs and his dog X.
Victorian, Campbell Smedley's dogs Tundabardi Mick and Tundabardi Zoe came second and third respectively.
Individual section winners were Mortlake's Keilan Bamford with Somerville Marty in the arena, Aoidh Doyle of Merton with Whisper Snip in the yard and Gisbourne's Craig Ogier with Roustabout Itchy in the cattle, taking out a Victorian trifecta for the competition.
