Central NSW dog trialler Paul Elliott broke the four year winning streak of octogenarian Laurie Slater in the Exelpet/Pedigree Sheep Dog Trial at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
Mr Elliott, of Eumungerie, and his dog Elliotts Georgie, won the three sheep trial championship on 259 points from runner-up John Perry, Bredbo, on 258 points.
In a record field of 105 entries, little separated the top seven placegetters with Colin Reid, Glenrowan, Vic, in third on 257 points under judge Michael Deppler.
The trial was run in conjunction with the Henty Machinery Field Days on September 20-22.
Laurie Slater, 83, of Murrumbateman, had dominated the competition for the past four years but placed fifth in the final on 245 points.
He was quick to congratulate Mr Elliott and vowed to return next year to reclaim his crown.
Mr Elliott said Henty was the first open win for his two-year-old bitch after graduating from novice at the Tasmanian state championships in October.
“She has been trialling consistently and won the Bredbo improvers,’’ he said.
“I have been trialling for 20 years and the competition was at Henty was solid.
“I had big boots to fill after Laurie’s string of wins – I brought four dogs and had three in the top 10.’’
Georgie is by Springvale Salt and out of Memate Edna, and will now go on to compete at the Narrandera sheep dog trials.
Meanwhile, the Exelpet/Pedigree Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships were dominated by Dale Thompson, Winton, Vic, and his nine-year-old bitch, Roustabout Girl.
Bill Luff, Gundagai, won the maiden with Bro on 192 points while Shane Maurer, Young, was in third place with Abbey.
In the novice class, Jake Nowlan, Grenfell, won with Zone on 187 points and runner-up was Darcy Kilmartin, and Libby on 184 points.
Chris Sellars, Brungle, NSW, won the improver with Loo on 177 points and in second place was Neale Taylor, Holbrook, with Ally.
Yard dog trial co-ordinator Peter Darmody, West Wyalong, said the competition had drawn 130 entries from NSW and Victoria.
“Competition was solid and the winner receives automatic entry to the 2017 NSW Yard Dog Championships at Wellington,’’ Mr Darmody said.
“The crowds were good at Henty, the sheep went well and the handlers had to really think.
“Henty is regarded as one of the premier events on the NSW yard dog trial circuit.’’
Winner Dale Thompson purchased Roustabout Girl as a foundation brood bitch for his Broken River Kelpie stud.
“She has bred well and I’ve never had to advertise the pups,’’ he said.
“I won at Henty three years ago but hadn’t competed since as I was busy on the farm.
“I love the satisfaction of trialling a dog, the finesse involved and the breeding.
“I like coming to Henty, the competition was close as there were a lot of good blokes here.’’