Report Marianne Rogers
Images
Held at Grace Hill farm, Margaret River on November 22nd & 23rd, 2025
It was so great to end our trialling year with a lovely relaxed, unofficial trial at Gracehill Farm near Cowaramup.
The trial ground starts downhill then continues uphill providing challenges for dogs and handlers. Gibb was on hand with his ATV, to provide a lift, when required, to triallers at the end of their run.
The olive paddock down the side of the trial ground, provided shelter and shade where triallers and spectators could park their vehicles and watch in comfort.
Handlers had fifteen minutes available, with no ring off. Yeah!
The sheep were very workable, just reluctant to pen.
The weather was kind and mild for this time of year with bouts of gentle rain and a strong cool breeze on the Sunday to stir up the sheep.
The good season had left the farm with many grass seeds in all the paddocks. Fortunately, we were allowed to exercise our dogs in the two paddocks where the hay had been cut and baled up. Thus, we could avoid most of the grass seeds.
The trial sheep were Ultra White, black tag hogget ewes. They were fit and could cover ground quickly.
They preferred being driven and many of the strong heading dogs appeared to upset them.
The Novice and Encourage events were run on the Saturday. Tim Foster judged the Encourage. There was more leniency in the Encourage event with more than one cross allowed. This event was very well supported with eight dogs having a go. The winner was Anna Edwards with Marionvale Sonny, second was Paul McArdle with Marionvale Shadow and third Briarly Waldon with Clyde.
Cree Monaghan and Sue Doherty judged Novice between them.
One cross, on the cast was permitted. There were seven scores from thirty-four runs.
A few sad stories where handlers reached the pen but retired due to recalcitrant sheep!
Terry Martino and Per Ostberg shared the judging on the Open.
The sheep were recycled, and this breed is too clever. They knew the way back to the let-out and often had an escape plan!
There were a couple of very good scores but only twelve scores from forty runs. Once again, a few sad stories where handlers reached the pen but retired!
We had a very exciting finish with two scores on 91 so had to have a run-off between Simon Leaning with Marionvale Woody and Per Ostberg with Karridowns Zoftie.
Per and Zoftie prevailed to win the Open.
Saturday evening saw us enjoying a delicious, two-course meal together, thanks Karen. We sat out on the back verandah for a super social event with much laughter and chatting. Jan entertained many of us with stories from her station days!
Presentations were done after a quick and efficient pack up. Carolyn Bell’s special encourage award for a Novice Handler doing well, went to Anna Edwards.
Novice Event
| Place | Worker | Dog | Score |
| 1 | Gibb MacDonald | Ellie | 79 |
| 2 | Marianne Rogers | Amarillo Artimyst | 78 |
| 3 | Gibb MacDonald | Gracehill Tess | 74 |
| 4 | Sue Doherty | Frankie (K) | 71 |
| 5 | Per Einaisson | Bellview Sadie | 60 |
| 6 | Simon Leaning | Marionvale Kipper | 59 |
| 7 | Paul McArdle | Marionvale Shaddow | 51 |
Open Event
| Place | Worker | Dog | Score | Run Off | Total |
| 1 | Per Einaisson | Karridowns Zoftie | 91 | 51 | 142 |
| 2 | Simon Leaning | Marionvale Woody | 91 | X | 91 |
| 3 | Simon Leaning | Marionvale Kipper | 88 | 88 | |
| 4 | Yvonne Haynes | Tam | 74 | 74 | |
| =5 | Ken Atherton | Ramulam Fella | 59 | 59 | |
| =5 | Terry Martino | Marionvale Bo | 59 | 59 | |
| 7 | Simon Leaning | Marionvale Di | 57 | 57 | |
| 8 | Ken Atherton | Ramulam Charlie | 56 | 56 | |
| 9 | Ken Atherton | Ramulam Prickles | 54 | 54 | |
| 10 | Nicola Horder | Indi | 42 | 42 | |
| 11 | Per Einaisson | Bellview Sadie | 39 | 39 |
