Wake 'em Up Working dogs

19/04/2026

Birdwood finished for me just sit back and watch the last few runs and the finals.

Please with all the dog

Eddie got a score in the improver but no where close to top score.

Marrar did amazing work at the bridge pushing the sheep backwards all the way. And even when they were hanging on the edge she kept going. Unfortunately they took of while I was standing at the pen and split. She crossed but did amazing work. Even the judge commented to me what good work it was

Photos

Wake em up Eddie and mum McConnell's Marrar

And Clementsville Birdie

Wake em up Lois Jean did not want to jump up

16/02/2026

Home after a week long trialling at Koroit. Weather was interesting from a pleasant arrival, to freezing by Monday and then coming home today to 40 degrees

Marrar had her best run for a while but ran out of steam at the pen and I retired

Eddie was far to steady in his first run nd crossed in his second when he got tangled up with sheep splitting

Birdie ended up crossing on both runs after delivery the sheep. Cast was a bit tight. More work needed

Lois Jean after being sick bounced back with two casts all be it a bit slow. Crossed after delivery on her first run and I retired at the gap on her second run .

Although in Victoria it was a NSW course. I do like the course as there is a delivery square and a long walk to the race.

Would love to see it offered in SA sometime

Home now busy week ahead with non dog related stuff

25/10/2025

A mixed few days at Mount Gambier.

Wake em Up Eddie had the only score for the placing 3rd in the improver.

The last trial for the year now training for 2026

13/10/2025

Well the state championships have been done and dusted with little joy but still some very good work from my dogs.

Novice- Eddie and Birdie did not get a score but Lois Jean managed to get into the final and placed 4th. Not bad for a 13 month old bitch and only 4 dogs got scores.

She was not able to work the course it the final as i felt she had not rested enough from her run so made the decision to retire her at the post.

Open- Very tricky sheep in the open and no matter what you did, try to go slow, quicken up or wait it was pot luck how they were going to react.

Eddie ran out of points just trying to keep the 3 together, Lois Jean only had 2 points left and Birdie - finally got her cast!!!!!(through operator error) crossed after getting around the casting peg.
Poor Marrar did not even finish her cast and the sheep headed back to the fence. I knew they were going over the fence and there was nothing she could do. A bit sad as she was never even given the chance to work them.

off to Mt Gambier next week

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28/09/2025

Great few days at Maitland
As the conveyor was very happy how smooth it ran coordinating with sheep delivery and return and timing everything for morning tea and lunch.

Great work by the Maitland show committee

Wake em up Eddie and Lois Jean both got scores. Which I was very excited about Lois Jean work for a 12 month old.

Marrar was back to her old self and made the improver finial but got a cranky ewe in the final. After working them so slowly on the draw even having time for Marrar to have munch on sheep poo one bolted as so as it went around the peg and cross back.

Birdie didn't get her cast but stop when told and came back

Now at Paskeville for a couple of days before the trial starts Tuesday

22/08/2025

Heading off with my team of collies on Sunday to Weekeroo station for a catch up.

The two old girl Kelpies staying at home with John

After a couple of days catch up with friends, then off to Wentworth for the 3 sheep trial in the paddock at the Wentworth showgrounds


Judging the novice, again!! So all 4 collies entered in the open/improver.

Will be interesting with the youngsters but I'll give them a run.

Not doing yard trial this year but will pop over and watch.

Always a good trial and show

14/06/2025

Ran both Clemantsville Birdie and Wake em up Lois Jean for their first trials at finniss.
Although both crossed I was very pleased with both.
Birdie was held for a long time not realising the let out team was not ready and I had already walked to the peg. She was so good as she could have easily bolted. She came back to me, not straight away but I still did not have to chase her.
Lois Jean took off twice before the sheep were. Let out but once settled waited until released.
Was enthusiastic and with some encouragement came back to me

Very happy with both

Slow poke Eddie got a score but not nearly enough to make the finals

Marrar on tomorrow

06/06/2025

Well my trial is over at Barmera.

Pretty happy with the work of both Eddie and Marrar. I stuffed up a bit in the trans Tasman but happy with Marrar endeavour

Just have to finish judging the open with final sunday afternoon

Very cold, damp but good to get some rain here in the Riverland

17/05/2025

Well just sitting to watch the last few runs of the improver and open and then the finals here at Cressy

It has been very cold and drizzly today.

Eddie had another good run today but just gets out too wide and the sheep run but we got the pen so very happy.

Marrar was at her best today on a cracking score at the bridge when 3 sheep fronted her. She worked hard and backed then on the bridge but one decided to go over the top of her and bolted.
Couldn't ask for any more from her

20/04/2025

Home dogs fed, feet up having a cuppa after a very busy few days

Judged the encourage and was very pleased to see so much improvement by dogs and handlers

Eddie ran in all 3 levels. Novice, improver and open and scored in all runs on good but tricky sheep as the conditions changed from sunny to windy, a dust storm, rain, more wind and more rain. Not a lot of rain but good heavy showers. The sheep were not forgiving once the weather changed.
Very pleased with Wake em Up Eddie finally starting to listen, just got to get him moving after his great casts as it's like watchi g paint dry as he slowly brings me the sheep.
Great weekend

20/04/2025

What a great weekend at Birdwood sheep dog trial

Eddie had five runs and scored in all of them

He ended the weekend 3rd in the novice and 2nd in the improver

The weather was challenging yesterday dust, wind, drizzle today wind and rain which made the sheep tricky