Spectators expected to flock to Henty to get a taste of muster dogs in action

Competition is expected to be intense this year as the nation’s best sheep dogs and their handlers gather for the Henty Working Dog Trials on 17 – 19 September.

Spectator interest for the sport is also at an all-time high with shows like the ABC’s Muster Dogs shining a spotlight on the education and skill that goes into producing a top-quality working dog.

NSW Yard Dog Association president Nathan Cayfe said the Henty competition was one of the events on the calendar that attracted a high calibre of dog handlers who wanted to win, or at least compete well.

And despite not yet getting around to watching Muster Dogs himself, the trialler of 20 years knows it has had a big impact on the general public.

“In terms of building interest and people knowing more about it I would say that 100 per cent the television show has had an impact.

“There’s a greater public perception and an understanding of the reasons why you see some dogs go for such high prices at auctions.

“I also think people are really starting to see the value in a good working dog and that it’s not just a matter of you go and get the young one and throw it out with the old dog and he just figures it out, there’s a lot more to it than that.

“I know lot of people in and around agriculture were keen to watch the show, and I would say those who are not that familiar with working dogs would have loved it.

“What people saw on the program is probably a daily occurrence on a lot of farms, especially in and amongst the people that compete at trials like Henty – whether that’s yard dog trials or three sheep or cattle or whatever, there is always a big emphasis that they put on the education of their dogs.”

The trials at Henty consist of two events – the sheep field trial and yard dog championships, each running concurrently across the three days and culminating in the finals on the Thursday.

Run under the auspices of the NSW Sheepdog Workers Incorporated, the sheep field trial is set to attract more than 100 dogs and their workers from around Australia.

The Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships run by the NSW Yard Dog Association, is tipped to also attract more than 100 dogs.

Nathan said the NSW Yard Dog Association had experienced a boom in membership in the past two years, growing from a base of 280 to 420 members.

While he doesn’t necessarily attribute that growth to the television program, he said it was an incredible response to their membership drive.

“We’ve had a real influx of youth into the association, and I would say that the agriculture industry is going through a little bit of a boom at the moment as well.

“I think the younger generation are appreciating the education side of things and realise that they are learning not just about their dogs and handling their dogs but also about the approach to livestock and good animal husbandry.”

Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships co-ordinator Peter Darmody, of West Wyalong, said the event was one of the most prestigious on the calendar with a prize pool of more than $5000.

The maiden trial will be held on Tuesday, followed by the novice and open classes on Wednesday and Thursday. The finals are due to get underway from 1 pm on Thursday. Dogs will be fresh from the Delungra and Wentworth championships, and Finley and Forbes yard dog trials.

Bill Luff, of Gundagai, along with Dean Incher, of Adaminaby, and Dale Thompson, of Benalla, are expected to be among the top-line competitors.

The event is designed to demonstrate everyday skills a working dog would use on a farm. Each entrant has 12 minutes to gather a mob of about 18 sheep, herd them through a draft, and then on and off a truck.

Starting on a score of 100, points are deducted for livestock and mishandling breakaway sheep and ineffective work.

Benalla trialler Dale Thompson and his dog Broken River Jake took out last year’s Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships on 186 points.

Equal second was 2022 winner Dean Incher of Adaminaby, and Rafa, and Shane Maurer of Stockinbingal, with Tom on 183 points. Shane also placed fourth with Stuart on 182 points.

Up to 450 sheep will be needed for the Three Sheep Dog field trial heats and finals alone over the three days.

Run by the NSW Sheepdog Workers Incorporated, the event is limited to an open trial, with no encourager or novice class, and handlers entering their four best dogs.

Three Sheep Dog Field Trial co-ordinator Paul Darmody said the event would draw both top-line competitors and younger handlers competing for prize money of $4000.

Mr Darmody said the event would attract entries off the back of the 2024 Australian Supreme Sheepdog Championship at Geelong on 7 September.

Last year Paul Elliott, of Henty, and his Border collie Elliott’s Brisket scored 188 points to win the trial from John Perry of Bredbo, and Boco Raffa on 183 points under judge Ken Robinson of Quirindi, NSW.

A retired shearing contractor, Paul Elliott moved to Henty from Eumungerie to help his shearing contractor son.

“We have great support for the sport here with the local butcher being unbelievably good to us and the whole community is behind us,” Paul said.

Trialling for more than 30 years, Mr Elliott rates Henty as one of the most competitive on the circuit, with his last Henty win in 2017.

“If you win Henty, you’ve won a good trial.”

The event is a three-sheep field trial, requiring the dog to move the sheep around a designed course. The dog begins by casting around the sheep, bringing them back to the worker. The dog and worker then move around a marked course through obstacles of a race and bridge before penning them within 15 minutes.

Visit Henty Machinery Field Days website for more details on all the events or follow it on Facebook.