Dogpro Holmbush Arena 2026

Report Nan Lloyd
Images Simon Wallace

Holmbush annual arena trial.

Holmbush is the property of Judi and Rod Forsyth and is a few kms out of Kellerberrin. It’s a lovely backdrop for a trial.

Despite some frosty mornings the weather was quite pleasant during the day until Sunday mid-morning when the wind and light rain made things somewhat uncomfortable for everyone. The wind caught a couple of unnamed trailers by surprise when their chairs blew into their campfire. No-one was sure whose fault it was.

The sheep were white tag merino ewes, beautifully presented and lovely to work. Most people would agree they were the best trail sheep for the year.

Some of the novice dogs had a bit of a struggle with them, as they took advantage of the less experienced dogs and either bolted away or refused the obstacles.

Generally, however, most people had a good chance to work them. The race proved the most difficult, but generally once that was achieved, the rest of the course went well, and there were many pens.

There were some high scores, including a 99 for Simon leaning and Marionvale Di and a 96 for Gordon Curtis and Binnaburra Marvin in the open, as well as other scores in the high 80s and low to mid 90s.

Only 14 points separated the top 13 dogs in the open.

Due to time restraints only 10 dogs ran in the final.

Forty-two dogs gained a score in the open out of 75 runs.

In the novice there were 18 scores from 50 runs, and in the Improver, 19 scores from 56 runs.

The three WA state reps were decided after the open final. They are Simon Leaning and Marionvale Di, Grant Cook and Grassvalley Palmer, and Gordon Curtis and Binnaburra Marvin.

They will travel to Stanthorpe QLD to compete in the Ted Gaby and the Supreme Championship trial, which runs from 22nd to the 30th of August. The Ted Gaby, also called the interstate challenge, will feature three representatives from each state to compete together for the honour of being selected in the four-member Australian team to take on NZ in the Wayleggo Cup.

This event will also take place at Stanthorpe and is always an exciting event. Live score links and streaming links will be provided on the WAWSDA Facebook page.

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Encourage
Judged by Frank Sutherland

Place	Worker	Dogs Name	Registration
=1	Leigh-Ayn Absolom	Binnaburra Jimmy	W2375-21
=1	Bronwyn Pollitt	Darcy	W2344-24

Novice
Judged by Peter Doherty

Place	Worker	Dogs Name	Registration	Score
1	Wayne Hall	Floroy Cody	W2184-22	83
2	Frank Sutherland	Ascott Roam	5775	78
3	Grant Cooke	Grassvalley Aggie	2370-24	77
4	Cree Monaghan	Marionvale Jem	W2155-21	76
5	Rod Forsyth	Kumbark Tod	1947	74
6	Nan Lloyd	Kumbark Pocket	2262-23	62
7	Wayne Hall	Avalon Alley	W2287-20	60
8	Gordon Curtis	Binnaburra Banjo	W2285-23	59
9	Rod Forsyth	Yarralonga Forrest	W2171-21	54
10	Rob Smith	AnnEden Tommy	W2367-25	52

Improver
Judged by Jenny Atherton

Place	Worker	Dogs Name	Registration	Score
1	Grant Cooke	Grassvalley Winger	2260-24	93
2	Nan Lloyd	Kumbark Pocket	2262-23	87
3	Gordon Curtis	Binnaburra Banjo	W2285-23	84
4	Cree Monaghan	Marionvale Jem	W2155-21	81
5	Rob Smith	AnnEden Tommy	W2367-25	75
6	Ken Atherton	Ramulam Blue	2165-22	72
=7	Simon Leaning	Marionvale Twistie	2312	69
=7	Cree Monaghan	Graedawn Finn	W2249-22	69
9	Rob Smith	Boonining Duck	2092-20	66
=10	Per Einarsson	Bellview Sadie	2265-23	65
=10	Sue Doherty	Echo Park Apache	W2196-20	65

Open
Judged by Marianne Rogers

Place	Worker	Dogs Name	Registration	Round 1	Round 2	Total
1	Simon Leaning	Marionvale Di	2046	99	95	194
2	Len Morton	Perangery Maudie	W2014-19	92	89	181
3	Simon Leaning	Marionvale Woody	2157	95	85	180
4	Gordon Curtis	Binnaburra Marvin	W2153-21	96	73	169
5	Peter Doherty	Ramulam Cork	W2177-21	87	76	163
6	Per Einarsson	Karridowns Zoftie	2077-21	91	69	160
7	Grant Cooke	Grassvalley Palmer	2110-20	86	67	153
8	Ken Atherton	Ramulam Charlie	2020-18	88	54	142
9	Alison Burrell	Illoura Jazz	N7613-17	88	X	88
10	Grant Cooke	Pendulup Gilbert	2180-23	86	X	86
11	Grant Cooke	Grassvalley Bluey	1898-16	85	–	85
=12	Alison Burrell	Illoura Sam	N7608-15	84	–	84
=12	Per Einarsson	Bellview Lexie	2205-22	84	–	84

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