KELPIE Korner is the place to be at the South East Field Days to see some of the best working yard dogs and their dedicated handlers in action.
Always popular, the working yard dogs are in action from Thursday, March 14, through to the Saturday, March 16 at the Lucindale showcase event.
More than for 40 handlers from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, along with support from family and well drilled support teams will travel to Lucindale to compete in the event for the chance to be crowned the Coprice South East Field Days Champion.
The working yard dogs event will consist of more than 250 runs plus finals during the three days of trialling on the two watered and grassed permanent courses.
It includes seven events, ranging from the Encourage Class right through to the coveted Coprice South East Field Days Championship.
Four previous Australian championship winning handlers will be competing at this year’s event., including the current Australian Yard Dog Champion, Travis Ware and his dog Woodja Lace who is competing on home soil.
Joe Spicer, from Victoria, has won the prestigious Australian Championship five times, while Lyndon Cooper from Victor Harbor and Rex Hocking from Avenue Range have both been past Australian Champions
Adding to the stiff competition will be Lee Mickan who is the current South Australian State Champion and there are several top handlers travelling from New South Wales who will bring their very best.
Approximately 1200 sheep are required for the three days and these are generously supplied by a local grazier and transported to and from the site by Graetzy’s Transport.
Judge for the Championship and Open class is New South Wales’ Chris Sellars.
Judges for supporting trials include Ged Bibby and Josh Latty from Victoria, Peter Darmody from New South Wales and Wayne Gelven, South Australia.
Lucindale and the South East Field Days boast the only permanent, grassed and watered courses in Australia.
Generous sponsorship of the working yard dogs has been provided by the Coprice, Lucindale Lions Club, Elders, Watervalley Pastoral Company, Graetzy’s Livestock Carriers, Lucindale Engineering, Bayer, RJC Evans & Co, Naracoorte Hotel Motel, Lucindale Hotel, Raidis Estate Winery and Crown Inn Kingston & Keatley Livestock.
Event organiser Rex Hocking said the event promised to be a great spectacle for all at the Field Days.
“It’s a great venue for spectators with shade and seating on the perimeters of the courses and food outlets and the bus stop nearby,’’ Mr Hocking said.