Chinchilla Sheep Dog Trans Tasman Trial winners announced

Held at the Chinchilla Showgrounds from September 24-26, handler Bailey Knight took out top honours in the open trial with his Border Collie Melnunni Duncan.

The dog's first run scored 88 points and second run scored 86 points for a total of 174.

Mr Knight, who trains his dogs at his father's property north of Toowoomba, said the win was one of his proudest moments of the year.

"The Chinchilla win was my biggest for the year and getting into the Queensland rep masters was also a big highlight," Mr Knight said.

He said his four-year-old Border Collie was a valued asset on the farm and in trials.

"He'd be my best dog. He won novice dog of the year in 2018 and I got in the Queensland rep runoff with him this year as well and he ended up being Queensland reserve.

"He knows where to put himself on the sheep. I don't have to direct him too much, he just does it himself."

Mr Knight said the trial circuit was winding down now due to the warmer weather and should restart in February.

In second was Barry Knight with his dog Fiesta Henry, which picked up 75 points in the first run and 87 in the following run for 162 points total.

Third place was awarded to handler Roy Potticary and Delrae Eddie, which snagged 75 and 85 points respectively to total 160.

In the encourage final, handler Rohan Ballon took out top spot with his dog Gibsons Chad.

The dog picked up 69 points in the first run and 89 in the second for a total of 149 points.

Bob Hamilton and The Doctor took home second place, with 69 and 78 points for a 147 total.

In third spot was Clinton Hall and Trapline Pretty, which claimed 56 points in the first, 63 in the following run and a total score of 119.

Additional reading

First in the novice final was claimed by Adam Miller and Freestone Willy, with both runs pushing their total to 182 points.

Geoff Gibson, along with dog Gibsons Kelly, placed second with a final score of 176, while third was taken by Clinton Hall and Serrano Rooster with 160 points.

The improver final was claimed by Graeme Heath and his dog Terata Dots, sitting at 173 points when the dust settled.

In second was Clinton Hall and dog Serrano Rooster on 151 points, and third was taken by Charlie Knight and Shaundar Jake, which topped at 94 points.

Open Trans Tasman final

1 Bailey Knight Melnunni Duncan 88 86 174

2 Barry Knight Fiesta Henry 75 87 162

3 Roy Potticary Delrae Eddie 75 85 160

4 Geoff Gibson Jones Wink 75 81 156

5 Roy Potticary Nolans Magic 81 73 154

6 Barry Knight Gibsons Slim 80 d 80

Encourage final

1 Rohan Ballon Gibsons Chad 60 89 149

2 Bob Hamilton The Doctor 69 78 147

3 Clinton Hall Trapline Pretty 56 63 119

4 Johanne Stewart Shaundar Dixie 62 50 112

5 Martin Campbell Martindale Jed 87 0 87

6 Peta MasonCamera Eulo 83 R 83

Novice final

1 Adam Miller Freestone Willy 95 87 182

2 Geoff Gibson GIbsons Kelly 88 88 176

3 Clinton Hall Serrano Rooster 84 76 160

4 Michael Rigby Barcoo Sybil 84 58 142

5 Geoff Gibson Swampoak Ellie 89 x 89

6 Bailey Knight Camara Gwen 88 x 88

UP Rhonda O'Connell Camara London 84 X 84

Improver final

1 Graeme Heath Terata Dots 81 92 173

2 Clinton Hall Serrano Rooster 84 67 151

3 Charlie Knight Shaundar Jake 94 R 94

4 Geoff Gibson Swampoak Abby 89 X 89

5 Bailey Knight Camara Gwen 88 R 88

6 Michael Rigby Barcoo Sybil 84 D 84

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