Deni to host ‘huge’ state comp

The Deni Yard Dog Association will host the New South Wales 2023 State Yard Dog Championships, with dogs from across Australia competing for the title.

Association president Marc Braybon said the opportunity to host the championships was “huge”.

“We’ve been running yard dog trials for the past 10 to 12 years, but this is the first time we’ll actually hold the state championships,” he said.

“They are only on once a year.”

The yard dog trials will be held at Deniliquin’s Memorial Park as part of the 142nd Annual Deniliquin Show.

The Deni show will be held from Friday 3rd March to Sunday 5th March.

Although interstate competitors are allowed to compete and win the NSW title, Mr Braybon said it did not mean they would be selected to represent the state at nationals.

“The state championships will be held on the Saturday, and all our other normal events will be held on the Friday and Saturday,” Mr Braybon said.

“This will be the best opportunity to find the best dog to then represent New South Wales at national level,” he said.

“But there will also be interstate competitors who will come and compete for it.

“We will get dogs from all over Australia.

“I have already received entries from Western Australia and Victoria.

“I would think we would probably draw entries from Tasmania and possibly even Queensland.

“It will be a very good opportunity to see the novice handlers to the highly experienced handlers compete in a competition.

“It will be well rounded and you will see many dogs that have worked in many different fields.”

Mr Braybon said judges would look for the dog’s ability to maneuver sheep in a yard environment, doing most of the work themselves under strict instructions from their handler.

“It’s all about a dog’s gardening ability, but this job is all in close proximity and under high level control,” he said.

“The handlers have to work in a small space and the dogs have to be well under control to do the job successfully.”

Mr Braybon said Deniliquin being able to host the state championships was all down to the capabilities of the association and venue.

“Warwick Doolan definitely deserves a mention because he had a lot to do with building the course and things like that,” he said.

Entries for the New South Wales 2023 State Yard Dog Championships and the Deni Yard Dog Association’s other show day events close on 21 February.

For an entry form, go to https://yarddogsnsw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/deni-yard-entry-form-2023-1.pdf.