Goat Central

NSW goat musterers dominate Henty sheep dog trial

Kim Woods, September 25, 2017

Mick Hudson, of Eumungerie, and Perangery Marge. Picture- Kim Woods.

CENTRAL New South Wales dog trialler Mick Hudson dominated the Exelpet Sheep Dog Trial at this year’s Henty Machinery Field Days.

Mick, of Eumungerie, and his NSW representative bitch Perangery Marge, won the three sheep trial championship on 262 points, and he took second placing with Meg and seventh with Richie’s Finn.

In a record field of 120 entries, little separated the top seven placegetters with Western Australian trialler Dave Lacey, with Devil, and Tony Elliott in fourth with Scuddly.

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The trial was run in conjunction with the Henty Machinery Field Days on September 19-21 under the guidance of Victorian judge Greg Campbell.

Mr Hudson runs goats and cattle at Cobar and 3000 White and Black Dorper ewes at Eumungerie.

“I muster 12,000 feral goats with these dogs off the national park – we mainly breed dogs for ourselves,’’ he said.

“We had the best dogs in the nation at Henty with representative dogs from Western Australia and Queensland among the competitors.’’

The Henty victory followed a recent win at Trundle Open Three Sheep Trial and NSW Selection Trial for three-year- old Marge.

Mr Hudson said the dog showed superior footwork, strength, cleanness, covering and blocking abilities without being aggressive.

He said Henty was a noted trial with good prize money.

“It’s a trial I haven’t won previously and I’m grateful to have won it,’’ he said.

“The sheep here are generally tough but I tried to prepare my dogs for that.

“I was fortunate to get first and second with two bitches who have consistently performed.’’

Mr Hudson runs dog handling schools at his Eumungerie property and coaches competition triallers.

“It’s important for the future to have people learning how to read livestock and educate dogs,’’ he said.

Sheep Dog Trial co-ordinator Paul Darmody said the competition drew dogs from Western Australia, Queensland, NSW and Victoria as a lead-up to the Supreme Championships.

“It was the cream of the cream here – two test dogs competed and never made it into the final, and they will be representing Australia in New Zealand,’’ Mr Darmody said.

Jake and Amos get first win

Jake Nowlan, of Grenfell, was a first-time winner of the Exelpet Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships with Amos Zone. Picture – Kim Woods.

Meanwhile, the Exelpet Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships were dominated by contract stockman Jake Nowlan, Grenfell, and his Kelpie, Amos Zone.

Zone had graduated from winning the novice class last year at Henty and won under the eye of judge Rick Jones, Broken Hill with a total score of 185.

In second place was Ben Coster, Yass, Neale Taylor, Holbrook, was third, and equal fourth, Shane Maurer, Young, and Kevin Howell, Eugowra.

Bill Luff, Coolac, won the Improver class with Bro, Chris Sellars won the novice class with Marshall and Mick Hedger, Jindabyne, took out the maiden with Trapper.

Yard dog trial co-ordinator Peter Darmody, West Wyalong, said the competition had drawn 140 entries from NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

“Competition was solid and the winner receives automatic entry to the 2018 NSW Yard Dog Championships at Canberra Royal,’’ Mr Darmody said.

“The crowds were good at Henty, the sheep went well and there were plenty of big scores.’’

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  1. Geoorge noble, September 25, 2017

    Well done Micheal good to see you doing so well

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