Cattle dogs and their handlers came from a wide swath of country to Grafton last long weekend to compete for the title of Australian champion, while total points were split between those residing in NSW or Queensland so as to nut out this year’s “state of origin” winners.
In the end dairy farmer and dog breeder Ben Gould, Greenridge via Casino with his eight year old collie cross Riverside Jake wrested the champion ribbon from 218 other canines making a total of 547 runs over the three days.
After much collating of points it was decided Queensland should wear the winning jersey for 2018, deafeating NSW 507 points to 493. The Open came down to the top 11 dogs going in to the final with just half a point separating Jake and Mr Gould from Queenslander Paul Wroe.
The end result was close enough with just two points separating first to fifth.
Novice winner was Ethan Davis from Brushgrove on the Lower Clarence with his collie Jess. with a score of 188 over two rounds.
At just sixteen years of age triallers hailed this as a great achievement. Ethan comes from a long line of cattle dog triallers with his father Mitchum and grandfather Happy Davis well known on the circuit.
The end result was close enough with just four points separating the top six competitors.
Maiden winner was Cassie Clark, Newee via Macksville with her dog Killarni earning a score of 187.5 over two rounds, this was another great achievement with Cassie only trialing for a short period.
Open for Open trial was won by Queensland competitor Barry Cooper and his dog Mayes Banjo, with the pair travelling two days and nights all the way from Biloela, Qld.
The combined “state of origin” and Australian championship cattle dog trial was held in an improved competition ring with lighting, primarily used to yard weaners on the DPI research farm at Trenayre, where farm manager Dave Bennett did a lot of organising and who placed fifth with Ben Rose Spring, a female collie cross by Ben Rose Hank.
The lights were well used, with trials beginning at daybreak and running until 11pm on the first night and almost as late the second, wrapping up around 3pm on the Sunday.
As well as night lights, the old shed used for shelter had “windows” cut out of the tin which were swung upwards for a full view of the trial.
