The show must go on.
That is the motto the Deniliquin Yard Dog Association embraced when it went ahead with its 2022 Deni Yard Dog Trial on March 5.
The competition is typically held during the Deniliquin Show.
Usually held annually on the first weekend of March, the show was cancelled this year due to COVID concerns in the planning stages.
The Yard Dog Trials and the giant pumpkin competitions were the only events to go ahead.
There were 27 entrants registered for the Yard Dog Association’s Peppin Heritage Championship, which was held at the Deniliquin Showgrounds.
A small but dedicated crowd watched on as owners demonstrated the obedience and skill of their four-legged friends.
Beginning with a full set of points, each contestant was tasked with herding sheep in a trial performance.
Attending judges deduct points for every error made, those with the fewest mistakes are then declared champion.
Results were as follows:
Open – Ben Coster and ‘Lucy’, 1; Geoff McDougall and ‘Ace’, 2; Marc Braybon and ‘Jock’, 3; Roland Pell and ‘Hitch’, 4; James Fowler and ‘Boomer’, 5.
Improver – Dale Thompson and ‘Clay’, 1; Marc Braybon and ‘Reha’, 2; Robyn Taylor and ‘Maverick’, 3; Marc Braybon and ‘Jock’, 4; Herb Cooper and ‘Squirt’, 5.
Novice – Marc Braybon and ‘Reha’, 1; Dale Thompson and ‘Clay’, 2; Herb Cooper and ‘Squirt’, 3; Geoff McDougall and ‘Champ’, 4; Marc Braybon and ‘Harry’, 5; James Fowler and ‘Skipper’, U/P.
Maiden — Dale Thompson and ‘Clay’, 1; Marc Braybon and ‘Harry’, 2; Marc Braybon and ‘Walker’, 3; Peri Chappell and ‘Rave’, 4; Roland Pell and ‘Oakie’, 5;
Encourage — Shaun Hearmon and ‘Deni’, 1; Shaun Hearmon and ‘Max’, 2; Ben Wade and ‘Molly’, 3; Laura McKillop and ‘Archie’, U/P.