Thursday 11th August to Sunday 14th August 2022

Written by Nan Lloyd
Images Nan Lloyd & Simon Wallace

The state arena trial was held this year at Yallambee, Ken and Jenny Atherton’s property near Arthur River.

The weather was changeable, the first two days were chilly but bearable, but on the Saturday a cold front swept in, bringing bucketing rain and strong winds. A large heap of dead wood near the trial ground was lit and this was the place to be.

Sunday could not have been more contrasting. Beautiful warm sunshine and no wind. A great day for the open final which was hotly contested.

The sheep however, did not care about the weather, they were difficult throughout the whole trial.

The cast caused the most problems, the sheep had a tendency to head towards the fence, usually at top speed and sometimes go straight over and head for home. This made the pickup somewhat difficult, and many people failed to leave the casting peg.

Some people managed to get them down the ground only to have them make many breaks for the fence again, sometimes going over or causing a cross.

The bridge was very hard to work, the sheep would not even look in the right direction let alone go over.

There were only a handful of pens for the weekend.

Yallambee is a picturesque ground for trialing and always has a wonderful array of delicious food in their relatively new canteen. This was also a popular spot.

The State Open winner was Neil Kristiansen with Princes Delta on 128 points.

Neil also won the State Improver with Badgingarra Maggie on 92 points.

Rod Forsyth won the State Novice with Barkervale Clark on 114 points.

The Mayanup Patron’s trophy was awarded to Des Davies.

The WAWSDA patrons awards went to Rod Forsyth for the Novice, Des Davies for the Improver and Blake Robinson for the Open.

Ivan Solomon was presented with the Supreme Dog of the year with Perangery Trish.

Novice had 39 entries and seven scores.

Improver 46 entries and nine scores.

Open 67 entries and 30 scores.

State Novice Finalists L-R Neil Kristiansen (Badgingarra Sir Ben 4th), Rod Forsyth (Barkervale Clark 1st), Ken Atherton (Ramulam Prickles 2nd & Ramulan Judy 3rd)

Novice Final
Judged by Des Davies

1	Rod Forsyth	Barkervale Clark (K)	42	72	114
2	Ken Atherton	Ramulam Prickles (K)	50	53	103
3	Ken Atherton	Ramulan Judy (K)	37	33	70
4	Neil Kristiansen	Badgingarra Sir Ben (BC)	46	X	46
5	Jan Cornish	Bellview Bailey (BC)	35	RTD	35
6	Peter Doherty	Ramulam Sixpence (K)	20	–	20
7	Tony Boyle	Boylee Squirt (BC)	2	–	2

X = Cross
RTD = Retired
K = Kelpie
BC = Border Collie

Improver Final
Judged by Len Morton

1	Neil Kristiansen	Badgingarra Maggie (BC)	52	40	92
2	Karyn Buller	Boonining Turbo (K)	46	37	83
3	Des Davies	Marionvale Bella (BC)	56	X	56
4	Rob Smith	Boonining Duck (K)	49	LS	49
5	Neil Whyte	Gogetta Duchess (K)	44	X	44
6	Tony Boyle	Boylee Cournel (BC)	41	–	41
7	Karyn Buller	Boonining Maisy (K)	37	–	37
8	Nan Lloyd	Kumbark Ace (K)	35	–	35
9	Neil Kristiansen	Badgingarra Sir Ben (BC)	23	–	23

X = Cross
LS = Lost Sheep
K = Kelpie
BC = Border Collie

Open Final
Judged by Wayne Hall

1	Neil Kristiansen	Princes Delta (BC)	54	74	128
2	Ivan Solomon	Perangery Trish (BC)	53	68	121
3	Peter Gorman	Pendalup Steel (BC)	57	63	120
4	Peter Gorman	Pendalup Lucy (BC)	54	61	115
5	Dave Lacey	Akoonah Lady (BC)	62	51	113
6	Tony Boyle	Boylee Midget (BC)	56	51	107
7	Dave Lacey	Farnham Will (BC)	53	52	105
8	Grant Cooke	Grassvalley Bluey (BC)	53	47	100
9	Len Morton	Perangery Maudie (BC)	55	41	96
10	Neil Kristiansen	Pendalup Sambo (BC)	57	LS	57
11	Len Morton	Perangery Sadie (BC)	55	RTD	55
12	Peter Gorman	Coshies Dusty (BC)	52	LS	52