Hi Everyone,
I attended my first herding trial at the weekend (as an onlooker) and was just so interested in how it all happened. The dogs (all Kelpies) where required to bring the sheep to the top of the yard then though a gate then to the other end of the yard in a race and onto a truck. Does anyone do this kind of thing? I would be interest in seeing more trials and wanted to know about how people started doing it.
Thanks

was it a Yard Dog trial?

I'm currently training my own for Yard Dog, which I think is a real blast.

sorry, yes I believe it was a yard dog trial! Seemed really impressive coz this was just a country town show in central VIC. Did feel sorry for the dog that scored 0 in both rounds. He was trying really hard which was half the problem

Yes I really want to get into Yard Trials (& Utility), I not only think it is a ball of fun for handler & dog, but also a very good test of skill of the average 'farm' dog & less room for frustrating 'sheep' as what you see in the 3sheep trials (I would not have the patience).

I hope to compete shortly.

You begin by having the desire to get involved, then, you go to as many workshops and trials you can get to.
Then you become obsessed and you go to regular training and put what you learn into practice then, cross your fingers and jump on in.
Yard trials, 3 sheep and utility are run by councils like the sheep dog association and the Kelpie council I believe you will need to join them to compete, but don't quote me on that, I'll check and confirm that for you unless someone beats me to it.
To compete in Herding trials held by the ANKC bodies in Vic, Nsw & Qld as a member of the Koolie Club you can join the Sporting register of the canine body of your state in this case VCA.
If you google VCA it should take you to their web site or you can get there through the Koolie website,
The same with any of the councils, as far as I know Kelpie council organizes the yard trials, but no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I am joining the NSW Yard Dog Association (do a google search for the website) but the WKC I think also holds Yard & Utility under their Council.....not sure on that.

I know very little about the 3 Sheep & ANKC, will try it one day but I think I will be most at home in the yard & utility with the dogs I have.

Thanks guys,
I don't hold a great hope that my girls will ever get to that standard. The closest thing we have to live stock is seeing the sheep at the regular training at Elmore. I believe (dont quote me on this) that there was 8 sheep a go at this trial and I think it was ran through the local ag soc. It was the first time the show had the dog trial as it normally has the horses but at they couldn't get any this year so the local dogs got the call up. Thanks all for the information though. Will keep in mind for about 15 years time when I get a new pup LOL

Never say never, I got the pleasure to watch some of the best recently at a trial & even the best make simple mistakes. I think the Yard Trial is likely one of the fairest & most enjoyable of the lot.

just done a web search. there is NO q.l.d yard dog Ass that i could find why do i live in the backwood state. that is the very thing that i have been looking for . i was able to track down ellies trainer and find out her commands HERE is clock wise BACK is anti clock WALK UP to push the sheep and GET UP to back the sheep, and i have no were to play get up i could just cry

Royalla

Queensand Working Cattle Dog Trial Association Inc
6 Back Electra Road
ELECTRA QLD 4670
Phone 07 41579575

I am a member of this association after attending a herding workshop in Townsville, not that it does me much good and they only have one herding clinic in Townsville per year (which is 3.5 hours away)and as I have no sheep or cattle at the moment, my babies have to content themselves with sharpening their skills on my horses ... which are very dog friendly and just stand and look at them.

I was all set to buy a couple of fat tail sheep, but they have advised me that the grass where I live is poisenous to them (bracciaria)of all things!! simply amazing ... so needless to say I came home with no sheep.

So best of luck with Association, they have information on all the trials in their newsletter which goes out quarterly (I think)

Hi

I would also be interested.

Lockie

Is there much interest around for schooling dogs on cattle? I see so much sheepdog schools but little in the way of cattle based activities.

Hi:
Andrew in Qld is hoping to set up his place to run sheep for regular training, workshops and hopefully trials.
He looks to have his first workshop in April, we are booked and ready just in case.
Elmore in Vic will hold regular training, quarterly workshops and eventually trials; Elmore will also run Agility workshops in 2008
Binalong in Nsw will hold a mock yard trial in December but it is only open to regular attendees, new people can attend regular weekend workshops from March 2008

Hope that makes you all happy for more info contact Andrew Coombe in Qld, Michelle Wilkins in Nsw and Kerrie Challenger in Vic

Next we will look into organizing cattle training, but it won't happen over night and we need very nice people to keep an eye out for potential host properties.

hey where we are trying to organise workshops here locally is a campdraft complex (horse/riders chasing cows) with a large arena & some yards etc. that is all set up with neat yarding & surface for cattle...that might be perfect as I think there would be a strong following for it too!!!!