National Kelpie Field Trial Championship (NKFTC)52nd NKFTC, Cressy Tasmania 30 March - 2nd April 2022.
Thank you to Kevin Howell for writing up this article
The Tasmanian team led by Adrien Carpenter and Tim Hall of Connorville Station with their band of very hard-working team members did an amazing job of running the 2022 National Kelpie Championship using large numbers of merino wethers where every worker had fresh sheep for every run with thousands of sheep used over the 4 days, this alone was a massive task taking sheep away and having a fresh mob of sheep ready in the yards for starting time of 7 am each day. The sheep were very testy, and the scores were low due to the difficulty of handling the sheep. The course was very well designed with a 200-metre cast for the Open Championship. The 5 sheep were released from a let out which was set up out in a large paddock with plenty of room for dogs to display their cast with plenty of room behind the sheep when they were released so that dogs could get well behind their sheep in the cast. The sheep when they were released into the paddock stood well giving every dog a good opportunity to pick them up but once they started to move their first movement of almost every mob of sheep was to break to the handlers right, so this movement was one that needed to be guarded against. The 5 sheep had to be delivered into a small pen on the side of the yard section and remain there until the yard section was completed. Once the yard section was completed the handler and his dog then went back out in the paddock section and released their 5 sheep from the small pen where they had been placed on the way to the yards. Due to the sheep being very difficult to guide around the course there were not many dogs that completed the course by penning the sheep.
The running of the trial went like clockwork with the organizing skills of Emma Hall and her team of workers in the office with a television display of the scores in order of ranking as they became available. The people letting sheep out in the paddock did a great job with every handler getting a good opportunity to pick their sheep up and those in the yard releasing fresh sheep into the yard for each worker, A massive task over 4 days. Adrien and his team had good facilities for spectators with a large tent erected to keep out the cold wind and large bales of hay creating a protected grandstand for people to sit on to watch the trial. Food was well catered for with a food van providing meals all day long and a coffee van and a cake and sweets tent. There were sit down meals provided each night in the shearers dining room for those that were staying on the grounds which were at a very high standard at a very reasonable cost.
The shearers quarters that were provided for accommodation were of a very high standard with new showers and toilets and a new lounge room for those staying on site. Power points were made available for those with caravans to stay on site. There was a large paddock provided for dogs to be released to run free well away from any buildings. Every handler that competed in the trial was provided with a free bag of CopRice Working Dog Food.
A very big thank you must go to Kate and Roderic O'Connor the owners of Connorville Station for making their wonderful property available for the Kelpie Championship. Not only was it a great venue but the scenery with the massive mountains in the background made it a pleasure to be there. Congratulations to Gary White on another National Kelpie Championship Win and all those that did well.
Bradley Sisters Memorial Trophy
Unpolished bronze Kelpie Head, cast, stylised map of Australia in wood. Perpetual trophy awarded to Best Type of Kelpie competing in WKC National Trials' . The trophy was donated by the WKC to perpetuate the work and memory of Joan and Eileen Bradley who had been associated with the formation of the WKC and given unbroken service on the committee and who had devoted a considerable amount of time, in association with Barbara Cooper, to the analysis of the connection between conformation (body framework) and efficient and sustained movement. The trophy is awarded to the dog which possesses sound conformation and pleasing ‘Kelpie type’ appearance.
Bullenbong Trophy
Highest scoring Novice dog worked by a Novice handler outside the final. Ice Bucket donated by the late Mike Donelan who conducted the well known ‘Bullenbong’ Kelpie Stud at the Rock, NSW. The trophy was designed to encourage participation in the trial by novice handler.
CJ Butler Memorial
'Rounded type' shield. In memory of the WKC Foundation President. Originally presented for competition at the Australian Championship Trials, when the trial was conducted annually at Nyngan the home town of the late CJ Butler. Originally awarded to the Kelpie gaining the highest aggregate score it was re-allocated in 1970 to the National Kelpie Trial for awarding to the Kelpie with the highest individual score.
Capree Stud Perpetual Trophy
(Formally Bayer Trophy) Awarded for the fastest time over the completed course - Donated or competition in 1981 by the Bayer Company, manufacturers of Veterinary products.
Coleman Noakes Memorial Trophy
Highest scoring Novice Dog - 3 Columns, laurel wreathe with head imposed on an 8-sided wooden base. Donated by the Noakes family in memory of the late R C ‘Pat’ Noakes who conducted the very well known ‘Woombi’ Stud. The late ‘Pat’ Noakes was highly respected as a Sheepdog Trial Judge and President of the NSW Sheepdog Workers from the time it reformed after World War ll until approximately 1952. The trophy was originally donated to the NSW Sheepbreeder Association. for awarding to the highest scoring Novice dog in the NSW Championships at Sydney. When the trial was no longer conducted by the NSW Sheepbreeders the trophy remained out of competition for some years before being re-allocated to the WKC It is awarded to the highest individual score by a Novice dog.
Frank Scanlon Perpetual Trophy
Best Cast, lift and draw - Silver Tray. Donated by P S L Austin in recognition of the part Mr Frank Scanlon has played in the development of the Kelpie breed. The Scanlon bred strain is highly regarded for possessing naturally good cast, lift and draw.
Lorna Brown Trophy
Awarded to the lady handler working the highest scoring individual dog in the NKFTC
Scoriochre Trophy
Silver tray. Awarded for the most effective yard performance. Donated by John Gedye of the Scoriochre Stud, Dundonnel, Vic. to provide recognition of dogs who possess effective yard working ability in addition to their ability in the field.
Tarrent Rockybar Trophy
Awarded for the ‘Best Outside’ work in the opinion of the Judge.
W Prendergast Memorial Shield
Bronze Kelpie Head. Perpetual shield: Awarded annually to the Breeder of the winner. Donated by the Prendergast family in association with the WKC - in memory of the late W J ‘Bill Prendergast who's ‘Cudgee’ Kelpie Stud was founded before the turn of the century.
WKC 2022 National Field Trial Championship Cressy Tasmania
WHITES BENNY II - 62168
Red/tan Born 28 Julyt 2015
Sire: WHITES BENJI - 56632 (DARRENPARK MATE x MOTLEYS DING)
Dam: BINNABURRA SALLY (PENNY) - 56168 (WHITES FELLA II x BINNABURRA JESS)
Bred by: Gary White
Owned by: Gary White
