National WKC and Yard Trials

Its been a big few weeks- the National Working Kelpie Field Trials one weekend, then the National Yard Dog Trials the weekend after. Of course I missed a lot of the fun, having to work during the week, but the weekends were fantastic- nothing like watching great dogs and handlers work.

Because I'm too tired to write anything original, here's a report I wrote earlier:

I'm home after my weekend at the National WKC trial... rather bummed to be home, because the Open is still running, and the finals are on today- in fact, they will be starting the last 20 Open runs in a few minutes (7am). But I couldn't get the week off work, so I will have to rely on home video and SMS reports during the day.I went up Friday night, so missed the first 2 days. The trial had the kelpies and others running together, in 2 parallel Field Trial events- the WKC (for kelpies) and the Australasian (for everyone).

It was BEAUTIFUL weather, sunny enough to get sunburned, but not hot, and a nice breeze during the day, although the nights were very chilly. The Northam showgrounds are a convenient,if not picturesque, venue-easily accessible for spectators, camping, bathroom facilities and kitchen right there, and a 5 min walk from the town centre. We were lucky enough to be staying at Neil Kristiansen and Denise Scudds' home just a few minutes away, which is much nicer than the usual swag in the back ofa ute arrangement :) The Luces and Marshalls are also staying there, and have been very interesting to chat with, as have all the Eastern Staters- some lovely people all round.

The course was nice- smallish ground, totally flat (footie oval, basically)- 150m cast and draw to the peg, into the yards, a very straightforward yard section, nothing too difficult for the 30 points, then out to the gap, across the ground to a trap, and back across the ground to the pen. I have to mention the fabulous commentary provided over the loudspeaker by young Peter Barr, who ran a couple of dogs very well, and then commentated the rest of the event for most of the weekend.

The Novice class apparently had a fair few shockers, so there weren't many scores, and even fewer good scores. I'm not sure why- I'm told the sheep weren't a problem, and some of the same dogs went on to run much better in the Open. Anyway, I guess it was a good day to miss, although we have some of the runs on video.

The Kelpie placings were:
1st Simon Leaning with Marionvale Flash on 171 (84 + 87)
2nd Simon Leaning with Fleetfeet Axle on 162 (87 + 75)
3rd Kevin Howell with Karana Bonnie IV on 150 (61 + 89)
4th Kevin Howell with Karana Sami on 147 (56 + 91)
5th John Charlick with Donna on 122 (59 + 63)
+ Gary White with Whites Sami on 64

The Novice Australasian results were similar:
1st Neil Kristiansen with Badgingarra Shelby 182 (90 + 92)
2nd Kevin Howell with Karana Bonnie IV 150 (as above)
3rd Kevin Howell with Karana Sami 147
4th David Sweatman with Skyblue Maggie 113 (55 + 58)
5th Ros Reynolds with GoGetta Brody 81 (46 + 35)
+ Gary White with Whites Sami on 64

My OH's kelpie was first on (nearly missed his run as he arrived 5 min before), and apparently he was pretty happy with his run- for a dog that's 100% yard, and gets very little training, but withdrew after running into a stroppy sheep.

The Open has been great- nice sheep, and a few good scores, and just great to watch the variety of kelpies and styles.
Some of the better runs so far:
Kevin Howell- Karana Bonnie IV (kelpie) on 90
Jim Luce with Paddy (kelpie) on 91
Simon Leaning- Boylee Barney (BC) on 92
Tony Boyle - Boylee Sweetpea (BC) on 90
and Boylee Pepper (BC- my Bill's dad) on 93
Neil K with Princes Tom (BC) on 94
Gary White - Henry's Bundy on 90
Simon Leaning - Marionvale Flash (kelpie) on 91
Simon Leaning- Stoneridge Harry (BC) on 91
Kevin Howell- Karana Duke (kelpie) on 94
Kelvin Barr- Barrkel Kevin (kelpie) on 92 ("Happy Father's Day, Dad"as young Peter announced over the tannoy)

and THE run of the weekend was Gary White with Whites Jilly (kelpie) on 99!
(I think there's never been a 100 given in WA yet, so that's about as good as it gets). Unfortunately it had to happen while I was off running dogs, so I missed it, but I heard it was a dream run.

With a few nice runs in the 90s late on Sunday, and a number of good dogs yet to come, it looks like a decent score will be needed for both kelpies and BCs to make the finals.We managed to tape a few runs, althought the quality of videoing declined rapidly as the days got longer, I got more sunburnt, and the beer started flowing. We also ran out of tape, but luckily they are videoing the finals professionally.

From the WA agility/obedience corner, Yvonne Haynes and Boylee Ceilydh, and Marianne Rogers and Christies Cocoacina both held their own against the "pros", very impressive considering they are both new to the sportand training their own first sheepdogs. I missed their Novice runs, but in the Open, Marianne and Coco started well, made it through the yards and out to the obstacles before Coco got a bit wound up. Yvonne ran Ceilydh in the Open early this morning, and I just heard that she had a lovely cast and draw, and got through the yards and both the gap and trap. Hope someone got that on video!

One shameless little boast- my OH had a really nice run yesterday with his BC (Boylee Fred)- I'd been giving him a lecture (as armchair expert LOL!) about not hurrying the dog, because he sometimes rushes the dog down on the draw, and it gets a bit unsettled- and so he took it steady, and had a BEAUTIFUL run-except he was so unhurried he ran out of time just before the pen, which lost him 20 points, but even without the pen he scored a 72, so was pretty happy with that :) Unfortunately his kelpie had a nightmare run later on, so he's apparently retired him from utility, and will stick to yard trials (which he does well) from now on... until next trial, maybe ;)

As reward and commiseration, he's getting a new pup- a spotty tricolour BC, who will be called Murphy, and looks like a real honey, and hopefully will make a good trials dog.