The Victorian working sheepdog trials were on from Monday, March 3 until Thursday, March 6, with perfect weather drawing spectators to the shaded areas around the oval.
Secretary of the Benalla Working Sheepdog Club, Sue Reid, said the event had been perfect.
“The sheep are excellent for trials,” she said.
“They’ve been donated by Dale West, from Violet Town. We’re very grateful for that because without sheep we can’t run a trial.”
Colin Reid, president of the Benalla Working Sheepdog Club, said there had been more than 50 competitors this year.
“That’s across four classes. Those are novice, improver, open and farmer,” he said.
“The farmer's class is entry level. It’s people who haven’t won trials before, but they have experience working with dogs on their properties.
“If they are successful in two farmers classes, they can then move up to compete in the novice class.”
Colin said most of the dogs this year were border collies, with quite a few kelpies too.
“All the dogs you’ll see here are bred for their working ability,” Colin said.
Tony Whitehead travels to Benalla from Uruna in NSW every year for the trials.
“I’ve been coming here for 20 years,” he said.
“And I’ll be coming for many more.”
Tony had competed in previous events but said he just liked to watch, and help out where he can.
“I’ve been helping to get the sheep off this morning,” he said.
“But I’ve competed about seven times.
“And I think I have the distinction of being the least successful trialler in the country.”
Sue and Colin both said they love being involved in the trials.
“We’ve been doing it for the past 20 years,” Sue said.
“And the trials been going for a lot longer than that.
“We need a whole team of people to do this, and we’re very thankful to everyone helping, as well as all our sponsors.”
Those sponsors include Hypro Dogpro, Bill Dodson, Rodwells Rural Co, Ryan and McNulty Sawmill, AAA Woolbuyers and Techwool Trading.
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