The time had come for Kate and I to pack up the camper and with dogs in the trailer head to Tara. We made it about 140klm before the camper blew a head casket and I had to decide whether to continue. A quick call to Peter and Linda Mitchell who run the trial convinced me to go ahead. We quickly changed cars with Steve and without any camp gear headed off. The trial was great with all my dogs doing well. Angel on her first trial scored a 93 which sent me jumping only to be disappointed in the final by sheep jumping back over the fence. Bonnie penned and scored in the novice but not quite high enough to make a hotly contested final. Ace my beautiful ace had 3 runs and penned 3 times. He also won the encourage, over the moon with him. It wasn't easy as he didn't listen a couple of times but we got there. That gives me 3 wins and now I am out of the encourage. Very proud of how far I have come and enjoy a quiet chuckle every time I remember my first disastrous try.
Back home again it was mustering that took over. Still no rain and things are grim. Wet cows are getting skinny and we had no choice but to take all calves off. We did this by using nose boards so the calf could stay with mum but couldn't suckle. They will be left on for a month. By doing this the calf seems to do better as he stay with mum and learns to graze. With the help of my kids Shane, Kate and grandkids Dylan and Ebony we managed to get it all done. Sheep had to be weaned as well. The dogs worked hard. Ace ended up with a kick to the side of the face that has taken him out for 10 days, Shane who hasn't worked with my dogs before was grateful we had them as the cows gave us a doing in the scrub. He soon learnt to trust them and when one broke he left it for them to retrieve. Nice feeling having those dogs.
Steve has gone away fencing and it is up to me to care take. Hopefully I will get in a bit of training before my last couple of trials. The camper is going and a caravan will be the go next year! Hopefully I will finally get away for that trialling trip I have planned.
Keep watching my blog I am going to put up my views on UK border collies, breeding, training and a few more interesting topics. Until then take care!
Back home again it was mustering that took over. Still no rain and things are grim. Wet cows are getting skinny and we had no choice but to take all calves off. We did this by using nose boards so the calf could stay with mum but couldn't suckle. They will be left on for a month. By doing this the calf seems to do better as he stay with mum and learns to graze. With the help of my kids Shane, Kate and grandkids Dylan and Ebony we managed to get it all done. Sheep had to be weaned as well. The dogs worked hard. Ace ended up with a kick to the side of the face that has taken him out for 10 days, Shane who hasn't worked with my dogs before was grateful we had them as the cows gave us a doing in the scrub. He soon learnt to trust them and when one broke he left it for them to retrieve. Nice feeling having those dogs.
Steve has gone away fencing and it is up to me to care take. Hopefully I will get in a bit of training before my last couple of trials. The camper is going and a caravan will be the go next year! Hopefully I will finally get away for that trialling trip I have planned.
Keep watching my blog I am going to put up my views on UK border collies, breeding, training and a few more interesting topics. Until then take care!
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