The year started out heading us into our 4th year of drought and spirits couldn't get lower. But all things changed as we went along. First up due to financial pressures my trialing year was cut very short and with no money in the area Steve's fencing lightened off dramatically. When the local boarding kennels came up for sale we decided we had to try something and we bought them, relocated them to Spring Plains and with plenty of help started them back up. I also had the idea of starting a dog school here, one that could be run cheaply every 2 weeks in town for the many handlers that didn't have access to sheep. So plans were made and a date to start set which was after my last trial in Longreach. Off I went trialing with only 2 dogs and apart from having a wonderful time with friends enjoyed one of the best results. Angel won her first Improver then backed it up to win the Open, WOW what a feeling that was, one I will never forget. I also managed enough places with Karma and Angel to again win the Novice handler of the Year. Feeling just a tad proud of my dogs right now. When I returned home it was into my first of many schools. Nervous was an understatement, that first one was frightening but all went well. I had wonderful students that had a go at something they knew nothing about. I was taken back but their courage and how much they wanted to learn, we had some fun. Now coming to the end of our schools I am looking to expand into Kaden's Outback Obedience and Fun Agility School next year. I have been madly doing a certificate course in Obedience Trainer and studying as much as I can on Agility. Out of the drought has come something I have grown to love and look forward to expanding.
My dogs are all going well with a few new members. Karma has just been mated to Keeper and hopefully I will mate Wakanda to Keeper later this year. I have another sire on order which I am very keen on..More on him when he is born. I am still chasing better genetics every chance I can get. My young ones are coming along with Angel's first and only pup, Saffron doing very well. She is a bold pup with plenty of personality, she works well for a youngster and will start proper training next month.
Family are all well, my daughter Becky her husband John and the kids came to longreach for our annual Cystic Fibrosis walk. My little grandson has CF and off we went in support of a cure. We walked 11klm and loved the whole day. The girls aged 7 and 5 ride their bikes all the way. Shane made a surprise visit home for a week and was lovely to catch up. Him and Lou are doing really well and have some fantastic plans for the future. Kate is nearly ready to leave for University but before she goes she want us all to go to Thailand, well you never know.
Finally rain has come, it broke in the winter which is odd for up here but we have had some pretty handy rain. We are still destocked but our paddocks are green, mostly weed and herbage but that is fine, it is green. All signs are good for this years wet and just maybe I will get that holiday and just maybe our sheep will come home. I guess I will end this post feeling very hopeful for the coming year.
My dogs are all going well with a few new members. Karma has just been mated to Keeper and hopefully I will mate Wakanda to Keeper later this year. I have another sire on order which I am very keen on..More on him when he is born. I am still chasing better genetics every chance I can get. My young ones are coming along with Angel's first and only pup, Saffron doing very well. She is a bold pup with plenty of personality, she works well for a youngster and will start proper training next month.
Family are all well, my daughter Becky her husband John and the kids came to longreach for our annual Cystic Fibrosis walk. My little grandson has CF and off we went in support of a cure. We walked 11klm and loved the whole day. The girls aged 7 and 5 ride their bikes all the way. Shane made a surprise visit home for a week and was lovely to catch up. Him and Lou are doing really well and have some fantastic plans for the future. Kate is nearly ready to leave for University but before she goes she want us all to go to Thailand, well you never know.
Finally rain has come, it broke in the winter which is odd for up here but we have had some pretty handy rain. We are still destocked but our paddocks are green, mostly weed and herbage but that is fine, it is green. All signs are good for this years wet and just maybe I will get that holiday and just maybe our sheep will come home. I guess I will end this post feeling very hopeful for the coming year.
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