Benalla Working Sheepdog Club president Colin Reid said there would be about 30 competitors during the four days of the trials.
“But we all have a number of dogs. Probably around 150 dogs will be competing this week.
“We’ve been here since Monday, and we’ll finish up Thursday morning.
“The weather has been good. It’s a lot cooler today (Wednesday), and we’re hoping the rain holds off.
“It’s nice that the trials haven’t been affected by flooding, or COVID lockdowns this year.”
Not playing ball: The sheep at the Benalla sheepdog trials have been difficult this year.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“It’s good for the town as it brings people in who go out to eat and shop in Benalla.”
During the event dogs are judged in three categories — the novice class, improver class and open class.
Mr Reid said the event could not happen without the support of local people.
“The sheep are all from a farm about 25km out on the Yarrawonga Rd,” he said.
“We’re very thankful to the farmer bringing them down, as we can’t have a trial without sheep.
"And we’ve had quite a few spectators through which has been good.
“We have the food van here where people can grab a coffee and a bite to eat.”
Mr Reid said overall it had been a low scoring event this year, but there was good reason.
“The main feedback we’ve been getting is the sheep are very difficult this time,” he said.
“The way it’s scored is that we start off with 100 points and we can only lose points, we can’t gain them.
Family fun: The Benalla sheepdog trials have been taking part this week.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“So our judge out there will take points off for bad work or mistakes.
“The scores haven’t been very high I must admit, as the sheep are pretty testing to say the least.”
Mr Reid said once this event was wrapped up he was heading straight up to Canberra to be a judge at the National Sheepdog trials.
“They’re starting Monday (March 13), and quite a few from here will be going up there too.
“Then we’re back down to Seymour straight after that for the trials there.”
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