Human and canine partnerships on show in Korumburra

JUST 10 years old, Tiana Siriharan and her five-year-old dog Duchess provided an opening day highlight at the DogPro South Eastern Victorian Sheepdog Trial in Korumburra on Saturday.

The pair finished the course with seven minutes to spare.

Each dog must work three sheep at a time around a course consisting of four obstacles designed to replicate a farm situation.

The trials work on a points-based system, competitors starting with 100 points and having points deducted if dogs go off course or are unable to navigate the sheep through the obstacles within the time limit.

“I’m very proud of Duchess and she’s amazing,” Tiana said, having been around Border Collies all her life.

Tiana’s dad inspired her interest in dog trialling, and she started out with her previous trial dog Blue.

She exuded an air of confidence and composure on Saturday, working in harmony with Duchess.

“I take a deep breath,” Tiana said of her approach, explaining “If I feel anxious, the dog will pick up my energy; if I stay calm, she will too.”

The pair competed in the Encourage class.

“It’s not about the dog; it’s about the worker (handler),” the event Secretary Louise Rielly said of that class.

“You can have up to three wins for Encourage then step up to Novice; then it’s about the dogs.”

That point was underlined when vastly experienced Colin Reid of Glenrowan competed in the Novice final with his young dog Motley.

“He’s a natural casting dog,” Colin said, referring to the dog being sent around the sheep to gather them with a flanking manoeuvre.

Ronelle Welton of Gisborne introduced Sentinel-Times to her trialling dog Jack, later speaking at the Korumburra event’s Saturday night sponsors’ dinner before competing on Sunday.

She spoke of coming into the sport as someone who didn’t grow up with it.

“It’s becoming a sport not just for farmers,” the Bed & Breakfast operator said, having bought Jack as a puppy in 2022, her first working dog.

The pair has progressed to Open Dog competition, having advanced through the Encourage, Novice and Improver classes in previous competition.

The generous support of local businesses, combined with the efforts of Max Morrison of Thorpdale who sources the sheep, enable the annual Korumburra event to continue.

This year’s competition wraps up on Monday November 9, with members of the public encouraged to come and enjoy the action at Korumburra Showgrounds.