DARREN Jenke, of Lucindale, scooped the pool with his family of kelpies in the open section of the yard dog competition at the Millicent Show.
Mr Jenke took first, second and third in the open section with all the winning dogs being directly related.
First was GameOn Ratbag while her daughter, GameOn Cheeky, came second and Ratbag’s mother, 12 year old YanVen Wilma, was third. In fourth position was Rex Hocking with Washpool Tom, and fifth was Tom Brody with Ness.
Dogs from around the South East, including Pinnaroo, Apsley, Frances, Lucindale, Mount Gambier, Millicent and surrounding areas, competed in five sections with a total of 56 dogs put through their paces by showing their skill, and that of their handlers, in taking a small group of sheep calmly from a paddock environment to yards, through a race and back again.
Other prize winners were Rommi Crouch with Ally who won the encourage section with Jo Ward and Ralph in second place, and Lach Dzioba third with Gus.
In the maiden event, Tom Brody was the winner with Hope while Jamie Burns came second and third with his dogs Riverside Mack and Riverside Frank.
Tom Brody and Ness gained the gong in the improver section and Tom also took first position in the novice section with Hope followed by Peter Barr with BP Rose, David Sharp with Token and Jamie Burns with Riverside Mack in fourth.
Mr Jenke said it was the second time he had competed at the Millicent Show yard dog competition.
“It’s always a pleasure to compete here; the grounds are an absolute credit to the Millicent Show organisers,” he said.
Convenors of the yard dog competition, Barry and Debbie McCreanor, thanked Coola Station for providing the sheep for the competition, DR & KE Wells for transporting the sheep back and forth from Coola to the show, and Don Peglar for providing the prizes.
Mr McCreanor said a bid was being prepared for the Millicent Show to host the State Yard Dog Championships in 2023.
He believed the venue was in with a good chance of securing the event.
“These yards were built in the 1980’s to host the Australian National Yard Dog Championships and they were the first permanent facility built for yard dog competitions in South Australia,” he said.
“We will probably be competing with Lucindale for the event, but we’re in with a chance.”
