DOGS and handlers will work in synergy, combining instinct, skill and patience as they contend with often-uncooperative sheep at this weekend’s South Eastern Victorian Sheep Dog Trials at the Korumburra Showgrounds, with everyone invited to enjoy the action for just a gold coin donation.
In its 70-year history in Korumburra, the event has been cancelled only once, due to the pandemic, with this year’s field of 120 dogs the biggest ever, those being managed by 44 handlers.
Local Border Collies Ruby and Mumu, owned by Sean and Jinyan O’Leary who train the pair on their Berrys Creek farm, will again be in action.
Others from the Gippsland region, such as Churchill’s Mary Macalister, Camille Shaw of Maffra and Glengarry’s Evette Jefferies also have dogs competing.
A couple of people from NSW have entered dogs, as well as one from Tasmania, the bulk of competitors coming from Victoria’s Western District, some of the handlers and dogs from that region being at the top level of competition.
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 15-minute limit.
The Korumburra Agricultural and Pastoral Society runs the South Eastern Victorian Sheep Dog Trials, with gates opening at 7.30am on Saturday, November 8 and the event continuing Sunday and Monday with the same gate opening time.
“We will probably run into the night on Sunday because we have way exceeded our entries from past years,” Louise Rielly, secretary of the South Eastern Victorian Sheep Dog Trial committee said.
In addition to the trials action, a sponsors’ dinner on Saturday will be a further highlight, with that costing $25 and bookings available through Louise on 0409 170 964.
Dinner attendees will hear from Mansfield’s Rod Manning who is bringing seven dogs to compete.
As well as expressing her appreciation of all the volunteers and sponsors who make the event possible, Louise gave a special mention to Thorpdale’s Max Morrison who sources all the sheep used at the Korumburra Trials.
This year, he has organised for 225 sheep to come from French Island, with another 400 from Bairnsdale.
Sheep Dog Trials began in the 1930s and over time interest has grown, with about 30 competitions held annually in Victoria.
