The Gunnedah Sheepdog Trials drew 43 competitors and more than 90 dogs to the showground on the weekend.
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Competitors hailed from Gunnedah, Boggabri, Curlewis and Armidale, and further afield from Manildra, Coonamble, Dubbo, Walcha and Sydney.
The Gunnedah Working Dog Trials committee believe it is the first time arena trials have been held in Gunnedah, and the first yard trials since the 1996 Gunnedah Show.
The Gunnedah Show Society sub-committee organised 10 events across the yard, and arena on Saturday and Sunday, with 138 runs in the yards and 73 runs in the arena.
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In the yard, categories included maiden, encourage, local, beginners, novice, improver and open. Arena events included encourage, novice and open. All round sheepdog in novice and open were also awarded.
Mr Wall said the yard trials were "based on practical work and obstacles found in the sheep yard", and the arena trials focused on "demonstrating skills they use in working in a paddock". The trials are scored out of 100 points.
"To win in either, you've got to have the right dog, the right handler, the right combination," he said.
"You've got to have the dog and handler working together."
Committee member Ed Wall said the youngest entrant was 13-year-old Peter McCormack from Curlewis, and the oldest entrant was 79-year-old Cath Law from Boggabri.
"We got a really good spread and everybody thought it was a very well run trial thanks to Emily [Wall] and Ian [Gardner] and a great venue," he said.
"It's the only venue I know of where you can sit and watch the yard trial and the arena trial at the same time."
You've got to have the dog and handler working together.
- Ed Wall
The event has been on the cards since show society president Rob Witts approached Mr Wall about three years ago about getting the trials up and running again.
"It all came together" this year and Mr Wall said there was "very positive feedback" on the courses.
"We intended for this to be an annual event and people that attended are certainly looking forward to coming back," he said.
"What we're hoping to do, having held this event, is to get more locals involved.
"It's something that anybody can do. It's not an expensive sport ... A prime example of this event being suitable for people of all ages and capabilities is Cath Law from Boggabri who started trialling at age 76."
For those already working with dogs, Mr Wall said it was "only a small step to move into trialling and see how your dogs stand up to others" and "it helps improves your dog".
Results
Yard
Maiden: Stuart Williamson with Pistol on 173 points 1, Mandy Carylon with Brook with 157 points 2, Tim Rea with Mick on 87 points 3.
Local: Jordan Donadel with Max on 91 points 1, Josh Bruyn with Hardy with 88 points and Tiffany Alderson with Major with 88 points equal second.
Ecnourage: Jordan Donadel with Max with 91 points 1, Peter McCormack with Cap with 81 points 2, Brendan Butler with Roy Boy with 78 points 3.
Beginners: Jordan Donadel with Max with 91 points 1, Tiffany Alderson with Major with 88 points 2, Peter McCormack with Cap with 81 points 3, Christopher Mammen with Rogue with 75 points 4.
Novice: Ed Wall with Sam with 94 points 1, Ian Gardner with Bella with 88 points 2, Rosemary Newton with Speck with 85 points 3.
Improver: Jim Marshall with Fred with 193 points 1, Peter Hogan with Kip with 172 points 2, Robert Cox with Tom with 170 points 3, Greg Thomas with Barry with 141 points unplaced.
Open: Stuart Williamson with Trend with 179 points 1, Robert Cox with Trigger with 173 points 2, Robert Cox with Captain with 172 points 3, Mark McCormack with Cap with 133 points 4.
Arena
Novice: Neil Croxson with Jack with 89 points 1, Melinda Bracken with Quickstop Skip with 72 points 2, Tony Overton with Georgina with 61 points 3, Melinda Bracken with Nobleher Jethro with 52 points unplaced.
Encourage: Mark McCormack with Cap with 73 points 1, Neil Croxson with Roy with 61 points 2, Ian Gardner with Dolly on 57 points and Peter Bowen with Dan with 57 points equal third.
Open: Michelle Griffith with Tiger on 73 points 1, Maurice Metherell with Joy with 72 points 2, Melinda Bracken with Nobleher Jethro with 55 points 3, Hugh Michell with My Mountain Witch with 54 points 4.
All round sheepdog
Novice: Tony Overton (Walcha) with 107 points (yard 63 points, arena 44 points)
Open: Maurice Metherell Morris with Joy with 130 points (yard 74 points, arena 56 points)