LOCAL WINNER: Rex Whitney of Willow Tree and his dog Ryan’s Trim won the local category of the Upper Hunter championship sheep dog trials.
Prince’s Di became Australian working dog royalty on the weekend after winning the Upper Hunter Championship Sheep Dog trials in Murrurundi.
The courageous collie took out top honours convincingly with two runs of 96 and 99 for a total of 195 out of a possible 200, which was enough points to take home the Reg White Cup.
Greg Prince and ‘Prince’s Di’ made the trek from Dubbo to compete in the trials which by all accounts was one of the best yet.
“To have dogs of ‘Prince’s Di’s’ calibre compete at the trial is fantastic,” Murrurundi and Districts Sheepdog Workers Association secretary Wendy Seckold said.
“The weather was perfect for trialling, the sheep were excellent, the dogs were brilliant and spectators witnessed some of the best trialling in the country.”
The championship attracted 40 competitors from Cobar, Sydney, Queensland and beyond. One hundred and six dogs entered the open class and 115 in the novice ring, providing plenty of competition for local triallers.
Nine dogs scored impressive scores of 95 or above keeping the crowd and competitors on their toes until the very end when Prince’s Di was eventually crowned top dog.
Prince’s Di’s win follows her outstanding performance in Canberra last March where she took out the national open sheep dog title.
Ms Seckold thanked volunteers who worked hard to ensure the event ran smoothly.
“Whether it was announcing, working in the canteen, letting out sheep, transporting sheep or setting up and packing up obstacles there were always volunteers at the ready,” Ms Seckold said.
More sheep dog trial results in next week’s Scone Advocate.
