Sasha smashes jumping record

Sasha seemingly easily leapt 15cm past the old show record of 2.5m as 10cm boards were added one after another to the timber tower set up at the edge of a trayback.

She eventually topped 2.65m to the delight of the watching crowd, who were willing the small ball of enthusiasm on.

“She’s just a keen little thing,” Jo Milne said.

“I think she might have jumped even higher if I’d given her a rest.”

Jo was also concerned about the pressure on the young dog’s joints and felt she’d done enough for the night.

Sasha has height in her genes – according to Jo, her father climbs trees and her mother’s side climb out of two metre high dog yards and use their feet and teeth to unlatch themselves.

According to the Guinness Book of Records website, the world record for the highest jump cleared by a dog is 172.7 cm (68 in), achieved by Cinderella May a Holly Grey, owned by Kate Long and Kathleen Conroy of Miami, Florida, USA, at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals, Gray Summit, Missouri, USA on October 7, 2006.

Although people have suggested the Milnes apply for the listing of a new world record, Jo said she wasn’t really interested in that aspect of it all.

The feat topped off a tremendous show for the Isisford Sheep and Wool Show committee, who reported increased nominations in all livestock sections.

A 250mm drenching in some areas earlier this year set the district up for renewed enthusiasm.

A small echo of that took place the night before Saturday’s show when the sports arena received 17.5mm of rain out of the blue.

While it caused the cancellation of a number of horse events the following morning, it laid the dust and had the grounds sparkling.