Well it was rather a long way to Ballidu (415 km actually) but I am glad I made the effort.
The grounds are lovely. Lots of parking, power and room to run dogs as well as other facilities that make life more comfortable.
Karen Buller and I travelled together in separate vehicles and it certainly makes traveling more enjoyable as we can chat on the two-way about all sorts of things.
The weather was quite good, with warmish sunny days but we did have a frost on the first morning.
I entered Caleb, Leena, Angel and Rio. I had actually retired Rio but as Driftz is lame I decided to run Rio instead.
The sheep were a bit difficult to bring down the ground and took advantage of weaker dogs. They also had a tendency to dash down the fence before the dog could cast around them, Mainly though they were quite workable and forgiving, although inclined to make mad dashes to freedom if they saw the opportunity. Some were quite difficult though, and if you got one of the bad lots then you were lost.
Poor Calebs second run was one of those. A few people said I was probably lucky he didn’t pick them up as he would have been unable to do anything with them anyway. Caleb did a lovely cast, but before he was anywhere near them they bolted down the fence. He got around them and stopped well, but one split back the other way, trying to jump back into the letouts He managed to get them back together then another one made a dash for the fence. I blew my whistle and he stopped perfectly then the sheep ran behind him constituting a cross. Very unlucky indeed.
However his first run more than made up for his second.
I really didn’t expect much, he has had very limited experience on the three sheep ground, so I was pleasantly surprised when he did some fabulous work to pen with a score of 73, just a few points away from a place. Needless to say I was wrapped. He is still a bit pushy but starting to listen and stopped most of the time.
Leena was also impressive. She has had very little training as she couldn’t cope with pressure and had a tendency to lose interest in working altogether if pressured. So once again I had limited expectations
My aim was to let her have fun and hopefully get a cast. Well, she not only cast well but managed two obstacles and almost the pen in both her runs. As she has no real commands on her I could not bring her around clockwise to push the sheep in the pen although she had them almost in there twice before she pushed them out again by balancing up to me instead. She was calm and relaxed out there and the sheep seemed to just move off her. She is not overly strong but keeps moving around a lot to compensate so did not stop well but this is not an issue at this stage. She has had no obstacle work at all, but at one stage even walked right up onto the bridge to force the sheep off.
I was pleased as I did wonder if she would actually make it. Perhaps having a litter has helped her confidence, whatever, I hope it continues.
Rio had bad luck in her first run. She worked well to get the sheep to the first obstacle but one split and she crossed. In her second run we got to the pen but couldnt get them in. I probably should have left her in retirement, she still has issues about coming off balance clockwise and it did cause problems.
Angel had a difficult sheep in her first run, and eventually crossed when it split off and in her other run she did some nice work to get to the first obstacle, but very slowly and we ran out of time. She is such a slow worker at times but at least she is casting ok now.
Marianne Rogers won the novice with a lovely run with Bellview Obie, (Boylee Pepper X Christies Cocoacina) and Ken Atherton had a super run with Alboa Merle (Kiwi Knight X Boylee Kelly) to win the improver with a score of 97.
Franks Sutherlands lovely little dog Rocky Nikki also placed in the novice. Nikki is a full sister to my Balto. (Ramulam Gus X Rocky Bear)
Placings were.
Novice.
1st. Marriane Rogers and Bellview Obie. 83
2nd Germaine Seymour and Somerville Lucy. 81
3rd Peter Gorman and Glenmar Midge 78.
4th Ken Atherton and Olboa Merle 77
5th Frank Sutherland and Rocky Nicki 76.
Improver.
1st. Ken Atherton and Olboa merle 97.
2nd Ivan Solomon and Perengary Floss. 85.
3rd Nick Webb and Morilla Shana. 82
4th Tony Boyle and Boylee Tobie. 80
5th Malcolm Seymour and Euroa Nell. 79
Open.
1st Ivan Solomon and Perengary Sasha.
2nd Gordon Curtis and Binnaburra Tuff.
3rd Ray Sutherland and Swagman Cyndy.
4th Ivan Solomon and Perengary Jill.
= 5th Jenny Nolan and Nolans Jackie and Tony Boyle and Boylee Mustard.
7th Nick Webb and Morillo Toby.
8th Peter Gorman and Avalon Sox.
9th Peter Gorman and ElShamah Ellie.
10th Frank Sutherland and Rocky Roxy.
11th Gordon Curtis and Nolans Minnie.
12th Glenice Webb and Morillo Doff.
Karen and I headed home after the improver finished, and didn't see the open events.
It is hard to stay for the whole trial when you have kids and farm work awaiting at home. I was also plagued with another migraine so it was an uncomfortable drive home.
Ken Atherton and Olboa Merle ( Kiwi Knight X Boylee Kelly) at the pen.
Andrew Gorton and Just Martha. (Grassvalley Tippy X Boylee Ella).
Pat Charlick and Woorooloo Jock ( Fairbrook Bing X Murray's Dina) Kelpie X BC.
Peter Doherty and Ramulan Jude (Ramulam Gus X Olboa Merle)
Ken Atherton and Ramulam Lad. ( Ramulam Jacko X Ramulam Malley) Malley is also the mother of my Leena.
Litter sister to Lad, Andrew Gortons Ramulam Ripper.
Gibb Mcdonald and Gracehill Daisy. (Ramulam Gus X Boylee Poppy)
Leena's dad Ramulam Tony ( Binnaburra Tuff X Karrawarra Shona )waiting his turn.
This cute little guy ( The dog not the handler, sorry Andrew ) is by Ramulam Don ( Princes Tom X Branga Spec) out of Ramulam Jen ( Kiwi Knight X Perengary DJ )
Anothe cute puppy. Out of my Rio (Badgingarra KB X Badgingarra Lace) by Andron Jake (Futura Ned X Futura Suzuki) Now owned by Jenny Palm with the cute name of Yetta (Yettanother dog)
Actually her full name is Yetta Dhinnikal which means the right pathway in the Aboriginal language.
Enjoying the trial were, Jean Hydleman, Andrew Gorton, Ken and Jenny Atherton and Sue and Peter Doherty.
Ken Atherton helping Jenny Whitelock and Boylee Quinn (Bellview Dale X Boylee Mustard) in her encourage run.
Wheatbelt scenery. Not a lot of sheep up this way, just miles and miles of crops.
The long road home.
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