2009 Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster
CASTERTON will celebrate its 13th Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster this June long weekend and visitors can expect another fun-filled event for the whole family.
Incorporating the Casterton Kelpie Festival and the Casterton Working Dog Auction, plans for this year’s muster are running right on schedule.
Entries have already been received for many of the activities and community groups have been hard at work finalising plans to ensure the smooth running of the weekend’s activities.
If Australia rode to prosperity on the sheep’s back, then maybe its time we gave credit where credit is due. Perhaps its time to acknowledge that the Kelpie that rode on the sheep’s back, and that it is this remarkable Australian working dog that deserves a place next to Vegemite and the Opera House as a true Australian icon, and this is precisely what the Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster is all about.
The breed which originated in the Casterton area of Western Victoria almost 150 years ago can be traced back to just a handful of British working Collies or Colleys, shipped to Australia by three early landowners.
Today, there are almost half a million Kelpies throughout Australia, the vast majority of them working on farms and displaying the characteristics that we like to think typifies our nation and all things Australian.
Casterton, as the renowned birthplace of the Kelpie celebrates this icon annually over the June long weekend at the Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster.
The muster which this year will celebrate its thirtienth year, will draw up to 10,000 people from all over Australia on the weekend of June 7-8 and is highlighted by a festival of events and demonstrations and the annual Casterton Pedigree Working Dog Auction.
With festival events such as the Poets Breakfast, Iron Kelpie Hill Climb, Stockman’s Challenge, Kelpie Triathlon and the Novelty Events such as the hilarious Mutton Mayhem- audiences are kept entertained and amused all weekend.
But one of the most famous events is undoubtedly the Kelpie High Jump. You may ask yourself, is it possible that people can be engaged by watching dogs jump a fence? In-fact the hour long event is insanely dramatic; a spectacle that has the audience holding its breath one moment and exploding into cheers the next.
The obstacle to clear is a barrier of wooden boards, one that is steadily raised. It’s effectively akin to the tail of a flatbed truck and owners are allowed to stand on bales behind the barrier and encourage their dogs to jump up and join them. With the fence starting at a little less than 1.5m, the height of a chest of draws proves no match for the entrants. But at the end of the competition the height practically doubles, with this year Kelpies endeavoring to beat the 2007 world-record of an astonishing 2.95m or 9 feet 7 inches- set last year by back to back winner -Claire O’Callaghan’s five year old Kelpie “Riley”.
But the Kelpie High Jump isn’t the only World- Record breaking event. Sunday, the business end of the muster, sees Kelpies from all over Australia fetch top-price in the annual Pedigree Working Dog Auction. In 2006 a sensational weekend was topped off with a record price of $5400 paid for a 20.5month old Kelpie bred and sold by Ian O’Connell. With 53 Kelpies on offer in 2007, 48 sold for an average of $1773. The 32 fully-trained dogs sold for an average of $2159, an auction record.
This year, the Casterton Kelpie Association is gearing up for its biggest and best Muster so far and will be held over June 6th and 7th. A weekend of fantastic entertainment and events is a weekend not to be missed. For further information on the Pedigree Working Dog Australian Kelpie Muster check out the website www.kelpies-casterton.org or Jacqueline Wilson - 03 5572 3531 or jacque.wilson@bigpond.com.
With almost 6 weeks until the Muster the Casterton Kelpie Assoication is swinging into full-force preparing for June 6th and 7th. Its is a very exciting time of year and we hope that you are able to enjoy it along with us!
Now in its 12th year, we are looking at this year as being the biggest and best event yet. At the moment the normal proceedings of planning are taking place with advertising and promotions hitting the media circut at full-force.
Kelpie Muster raffle tickets on sale now
TWO nights accommodation at the luxurious Crowne Plaza Torquay is one of five fantastic prizes up for grabs in this year’s Australian Kelpie Muster raffle.
The $1500 first prize is one the whole family can enjoy with two nights in a three-bedroom apartment at Crowne Plaza Torquay on offer.
With stacks more to come- while your here check out some of the media releases and articles taking off throughout the country. Keep up dated weekly with the "Muster Mutterings" and other special .
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information:
Jacqueline Wilson - 03 5572 3531 jacque.wilson@bigpond.com or media@kelpies-casterton.org
CASTERTON KELPIE FESTIVAL
PROGRAM OF EVENTS FOR 2009
8.30am
POETS BREAKFAST
Proudly run by the Lions Club of Casterton
BBQ Breakfast available
10.30am
KELPIE COUNTRY STREET PARADE
Bought to you by the Casterton Business Traders
This annual parade is into its eighth year and entries for the great prize money on offer are open to everybody
11.15am
NOVELTY EVENTS
Become involved in the fun of these novelty events
- Best 6 legs
- Fattest Dog
- Dog most like its owner (fancy dress allowed)
- Egg & Spoon Kelpie race
- 11 legged race
- Sack race
- Oldest Kelpie (age to be stated on entry form)
Australian Kelpie Idol – See the talented Kelpies show their stuff as they compete to become the 2009 Kelpie Idol!
11.45am
KELPIE PINBALL
Watch the Indian Runner ducks make the Kelpies work as they strive to slot them through gates. This event sponsored by Casterton Plantations and South East Funerals.
To follow the Kelpie High Jump
ELITE HIGH JUMP
Marvel as invited proven Dogs aim to take the title
12.30pm
STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE
In the spirit of Jack Gleeson, founder of the Kelpie breed, stockmen take to horseback to muster sheep with their trusty companion. Our sponsor is again Powercor.
KELPIE TRIATHLON
Starting from 12.30 and proudly sponsored by Blue Hills Nursery – the Kelpie Triathlon incorporates the Kelpie Race Kelpie High Jump and the Kelpie Hill Climb
12.30pm
KELPIE HIGH JUMP
Witness the Kelpies strive to break the 2006 record jump of 2.89m in the Scott Northover Memorial Kelpie High Jump, sponsored this year by Sungold Milk
2.00pm
KELPIE RACE
Watch the kelpies as they exhibit their speed over a 50m dash
2.30pm
KELPIE HILL CLIMB
Run this year again by Apex. Watch as owners call their faithful Kelpie from their perch overlooking Casterton. Their dog answers the call, sprinting up the steep hillside and hopefully going through the Sponsors gate for a bonus 5 points. Sponsored this year by The Glenelg Inn
8.00pm
KELPIE BALL at the Casterton Town Hall
Get on your dancing shoes and bring along your friends to a fabulous evening organized by the Casterton Polocrosse. A night to remember!
Tickets - prepaid $25.00, on the Night $30.00 BYO drinks & nibbles
Enquires – ph: 0419 861 323
All Day
KELPIE KIDS
Children come and make your own “I am a Kelpie Kid” badge and grab a showbag full of goodies.
Sponsored by Food Works.
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