Sheepdog Trials
If you love watching working dogs in action then you won’t have to travel far to see the best of the best in action when the Sydney Sheepdog Club holds the Annual Hypro Championship 3 Sheep Trial on the 10th-13th July at Hawkesbury Showgrounds.
For 4 days, up to 150 handlers with their sheepdogs will do their best to get three sheep around an obstacle course and into a pen with minimal loss of points.
Sheepdog trials have been held in Australia since the late 1800s with the first recorded around 1870. While trials have been held at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds before, the Sydney Sheepdog Club has been running trials in the Hawkesbury for 11 years.
Vickie Priestly, President of the Sydney Sheepdog Club said: “Our competitors and their dogs come from all over NSW and from varied backgrounds. You will see third generation farmers competing against office workers from the city. You will see Border Collies competing against Kelpies. You will see dogs under 12 months competing against dogs up to 12 years.”
Les Everleigh from Neilrex in Western NSW and his kelpie. Photo by Natural Focus Photography. A dog in action, 15 minutes to round up 3 sheep. Credit Natural Focus Photography The Open Championship winner last year was Andrew Heath, a farmer from Molong, who is back again defending the title. Andrew travels each year with his son Robbie from Molong and they usually take home a few ribbons.
Also attending will be Jess Kimpton from the Hawkesbury who has been selected to represent NSW in the Supreme Australian Championships in Western Australia in August this year.
Jess says she learned a lot about sheepdog training from her mum Josie and will also be working ducks with her dogs on Saturday.
Fellow Hawkesbury local Daniel Camilleri who runs a boarding kennel and trains dogs in his business, Hooked on Hounds, is a successful competitor in both paddock and yard trials and will be demonstrating his dogs’ skills.
The charity group Rufftrack, which teams up vulnerable youngsters with dogs as part of their program to give young people life skills, will be holding a Dog High Jump Competition.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet some sheep and pat some puppies.
There will be activities for children, food and drink and the Rufftrack Coffee Van.
The Chrissy in July Markets will also be on at Hawkesbury Showgrounds on Saturday, July 13th (9am to 1pm).
The Annual Hypro Championship 3 Sheep Trial on the 10th-13th July at Hawkesbury Showgrounds opens at 9am each day with Sunday reserved for Finals.
Entry is by Gold Coin Donation via Gate 4, Hawkesbury Showground.
Vickie Priestly said the event attracted hundreds of visitors and thanked three local major sponsors Hypro Pet Foods, Bendigo Bank and Hawkesbury City Council.
