TWO current Australian champions dominated the Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships and Three Sheep Trial at the Henty Machinery Field Days, taking out the tough events against the cream of the nation’s best trialers.
Aoidh Doyle of Bonnie Doon and his seven-year-old black and tan kelpie, Cash, scored 284 points to win the Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships after emerging from a four-way tie for first place.
Bredbo trialer Will Goggin and his six-year-old Border Collie Bredbo Scooter scored 200 points to be a clear winner in the Hypro Henty Three Sheep Trial.
Sponsored by Hypro Pet Foods, the three sheep and yard dog trials drew 241 entries and was run over the three days of the Henty Machinery Field Days on September 17 to 19.
Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships judge Bill Luff, Gundagai, was forced to add more sheep to determine the winner, reaching a maximum of 18 sheep with a former winner Dean Incher, Adaminaby, taking second with Hulk and third with Rafa on 277 points.
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Last year’s winner Dale Thompson, Benalla, placed fourth with Broken River Jake on 275 points and fifth with Clay on 188 points.
Fred Rains, Muttama, and Nina were equal sixth with Michael Hedger, Berridale, and Giles Creek Trapper on 183 points.
For Aoidh Doyle, a 31-year-old shearing contractor, it was his first win at Henty after taking up yard dog trials five years ago.
He had moved to Australia 13 years ago after growing up on a dairy farm in County Wexford in Ireland.
“I came out here in 2011 after I finished school and loved it so much, I never went back,” Mr Doyle said.
“I am a livestock contractor and shearing contractor with a big team of dogs.”
He won the Australian championships in 2022 with Cash, is the 2024 Australian Yard Dog Champion with Whisper Snip and competed at Henty with a team of four dogs.
“It’s a big trial at Henty and it’s good to get your name up there as the competitors are very experienced," he said.
"I got Cash at seven months old off my father-in-law when I started a farm hand role.
“I have quite a few pups by Cash.
"He is a very athletic dog and a great asset in the hills.
"I’ve learnt a lot from him - I like a dog that can do everything as I like doing utility, three sheep and yard trials.”
Mr Doyle juggles competition with a busy shearing schedule, including two months on four different stations at Ivanhoe, Menindee and Wilcannia.
Will Goggin and his six-year-old Border Collie Bredbo Scooter scored 200 points to be a clear winner in the Hypro Henty Three Sheep Trial from Scott Smith, Dubbo, on 184 points with MGH Gem under judge Jon Cantrell, Dubbo.
Pip Hudson, Mudgee, and MGH Hester scored 181 points for third place and Will Goggin took fourth with Vaimari Triton on 144 points.
Allison Burrell and Illoura Jazz finalled for the first time at Henty to take fifth on 136 points whilst Neil Kristiansen and Badgingarra Oscar made the 4700km trip from Goomalling in Western Australia to place sixth.
Mr Goggin said Scooter, by Boco Rafa, was bred by John Perry and had proven to be a strong character.
It was the first win at Henty for Mr Goggin after placing in the past.
He had given up trialling for 12 years due to work commitments and returned two and a half years ago.
The sheep and cattle producer made the NSW team to compete at the Hypro Australian Supreme Sheep Dog Championships at Geelong and went on to be a member of the winning Australian Test team against New Zealand in the Wayleggo Cup.
“It’s a real honour to win Henty and it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Mr Goggin said.
