2009 Working Dog Auction
Record entries and high prices at Casterton’s Kelpie Muster
WET weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 5,000 visitors attending the 13th
Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster in Casterton in south-west Victoria over
the June long weekend.
Record entries were received in most festival events and a packed program of
entertainment and activities during the Kelpie Festival on Saturday ensured fun for the
whole family, while brisk bidding for the 60 dogs sold at the Working Dog Auction on
Sunday saw prices top at $6,100 and average $2,181.
Festival highlights included the inaugural Elite Working Dog High Jump competition, the
popular Stockman’s Challenge, plus the poet’s corner and Kelpie triathlon, while regular
attractions including Kelpie Pinball and the novelty events kept everyone laughing.
Bush poetry recitals over a hearty breakfast heralded the start of the muster weekend
with visitors enjoying recitals from five poets throughout the early morning.
Impromptu recitals were also performed by another six poets including Ed Walker of
Narre Warren, Bruce Cameron of Truganina, Sean Ferris of Casterton, Paul McInerney
of Adelaide, Graham Flatman of Melbourne and Frank McInerney of Adelaide.
Hosted by Casterton Lions Club and dubbed ‘Poet’s Corner’, the success of this year’s
event will ensure its return on the 2010 muster program.
“It’s been a terrific success with Lions Club members serving up 10 kilograms of bacon,
15 dozen eggs, 18 loaves of bread plus lots of sausages,” said club member, Norm
Russell.
Following breakfast, visitors jostled for the best vantage point along Casterton’s main
street to view the Kelpie Country street parade and listen to the humorous commentary
by Casterton local, John Houlihan.
Judging duties this year were completed by Federal Member for Wannon, David Hawker
who awarded the first prize to the combined entry from Casterton Primary School and
Edgarley Home for their depiction of the 1950s gold rush era.
Casterton Kindergarten was awarded second prize and Sacred Heart Primary School
took out third place honours, while the Casterton Vice Regal Band received an
honourable mention.
Record entries were received in the novelty events with divisions for junior and senior
competitors in some sections.
Alissa Rogers of Purnim near Warrnambool made a successful first visit to the Kelpie
Muster by winning the Dog Most Like its Owner category dressed as Minnie Mouse with
her five-month-old Kelpie, Kyila wearing Mini Minnie Mouse attire.
A regular muster visitor, David Edgecombe of Adelaide won the Fattest Dog category
with Peg, his Border Collie and reckons there’s no better way to spend the long
weekend.
“We’ve been coming to the Kelpie Muster for six years,” he said.
“What better way to spend the long weekend than with other people who love dogs – it
doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.
Another festival regular, young Chloe Macphail of Welshpool and her dog, Chocolate
won the Best Six Legs event, while Emma Matthews brought along her 17-year-old dog
Maddie to claim the Oldest Kelpie title.
The sack races generated plenty of entertainment with Chris Ford of Armidale, NSW and
Leo winning the junior division, while Mark Fenby of Macclesfield and his Border Collie
took out top honours in the sack race for Kelpies versus Border Collies.
The Egg and Spoon race was another hilarious affair with Skyla Flint of Milltown and
Kiara crossing the line first in the junior division, while Mark Fenby again made it safely
across the finish line in the open division.
Long time muster weekend supporter, David Higgins and his dog, Dylan – the counting
Kelpie – took out the top prize in the Kelpie Idol competition, while equal second prize
was awarded to first time muster visitor, six-year-old Ben Grigsby from Teesdale near
Geelong.
Young Ben shared equal second prize with Fran Crittle from Thirroul, south of Sydney
who has attended the festival for the last three years and brought her dancing dog Saffy
along to perform this year.
Visitors crowded around the make-shift arena in the main street to witness dogs
compete in the Kelpie Pinball, where Kelpies must muster three Indian Runner ducks
through a short course against the clock.
Showing plenty of skill and control, Kelpie trainer Joe Spicer from Glenthompson and his
dog Go Getta Brue took out the blue ribbon, followed by Matt Simmonds from Caramut
with Suma.
A crowd favourite, the Kelpie High Jump again attracted a big audience despite the rain
with standing room only as local Kelpies went up against dogs from across Victoria.
A highlight of this year’s competition was the inclusion of the inaugural Elite Working
Dog High Jump where Victorian Kelpies went up against a team of Border Collie high
jump specialists from NSW.
The duo from the Paws UP project at Armidale in northern NSW continued its winning
streak to take out first and second place in the elite competition.
The brother and sister dog team - Zorro and Girl - are unbeaten in NSW dog high jump
events and after a 27 hour road trip from Armidale, they added the Casterton title to their
trophy cabinet.
While the wet conditions made it difficult for dogs to get a hold on the track and wall,
Zorro cleared 2.40 metres, while Girl was close behind at 2.34 metres.
Casterton district identity, Murray Davis of Dergholm and his Kelpie, Henry did the locals
proud to take third placed at 2.20 metres.
Balliang district grazier, Tony Wilson and his dog Mack won the standard high jump
competition which was another wet and slippery affair with Mack scrambling over at 2.32
metres.
It was their first visit to the Kelpie Muster and only Mack’s second high jump after
competing at Geelong were he ranked fourth.
“We came along to support a friend in the elite competition and thought we’d give Mack
another go at the high jump,” Tony said.
It was a nice surprise for Tony who got Mack as a puppy at his local saleyards where the
litter of pups was free to good homes.
Normally at work on the family property, “Elenstan” at Balliang, Mack showed his
strength and love of his squeaky toys as he scrambled up the wall just ahead of the
2008 high jump champion, Rosie, owned by Geoff Burling of Diggers Rest.
Third place was shared between Christy Flint of Milltown and her dog, Kelly and Malcolm
McCosh of Ballangeich and Max who both cleared 2.05metres.
This year’s festival proved another successful outing for Melbourne Kelpie enthusiast,
Daniel Ball and his dog Denny – a former pound puppy - from Mount Evelyn.
Denny proved too quick in the 50 metre sprint to claim the win in just 4.77 seconds,
before going on to win the arduous hill climb up Mount Toorak in 30.83 seconds.
Success in these two events proved enough for Denny to take home the Kelpie Triathlon
trophy, achieved by the dog with the best combined tally from the high jump, sprint and
hill climb events.
It was a great result for Daniel and his brood of dogs who have been attending the kelpie
muster for three years.
“This would be our best performance yet, but we don’t come to win,” he said.
“We love the Kelpie weekend and it’s a great chance to get out in the country with some
fantastic people.”
While the fun and antics continued with novelty events in Casterton’s main street,
competitors were bringing the skills of days gone by back to life in the popular
Stockman’s Challenge.
Lucy Sellers of Hamilton on board, Topless, with Red – later sold at auction for $5,400 -
at her side proved too good in a tight competition to win the overall challenge.
According to judge and former high country cattleman, Laurie Hiscock of Bairnsdale,
Lucy’s knowledge of stock and excellent control of Red gave her the edge.
“Lucy was able to read the stock very well and could almost predict their next move,” he
said.
“In this way she was able to position herself and the dog to take advantage of the stock’s
movement – it was an excellent performance.”
Former Stockman’s Challenge champion, Ian James, “Flagstaff Hill”, Henty on Vixen
with his dog, Luke was only three points behind Lucy in the final tally to snare second
place.
Denis Neale of Flynns Creek near Traralgon won the horsemanship time trial on
Joleson, while Sharon Barry and Futura Ned won the working dog division.
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