AUSTRALIAN Kelpie Muster visitors will witness an interstate clash in the high jump arena this year with the introduction of the Elite Working Dog High Jump competition.

This invitation-only event will feature six working dogs with a proven history of flying high competing for top honours in Casterton’s main street from 12.30pm.

Four Kelpies will go up against two Border Collies from the Paws UP team of Armidale in northern New South Wales in a thrilling competition where dogs will be striving to beat the 2.91 metres record set in 2007.

The new elite competition will be conducted as part of the traditional Kelpie high jump event, which is a real crowd favourite.

Kelpie High Jump organiser, Shirley Foster said the elite event was a natural progression following the popularity of the high jump competition in previous years.

“The event will be very exciting to watch, as all the dogs are capable of jumping exceptional heights – we’re looking forward to a very close competition,” she said.

Dogs will be aiming to eclipse the 2.91 metres record set by triple event winner, Riley owned by Clare O’Callaghan of Welshpool.

“We were hoping Riley and Clare would return to compete in the elite event this year, but they have declined our invitation,” Mrs Foster said.

Competitors in the elite competition this year will include the team of Murray Davis from Dergholm with his dog Henry – a winner of the local dog division in the high jump for the previous two years.

A supporter of previous high jump events, Daniel Bell of Melbourne will bring his two dogs, Rusty and Denny, both of which will prove tough competition on the day.

A newcomer to the Casterton high jump event, Bree Kerr from Lethbridge and her dog Rusty have been very successful in dog high jump events at Geelong show and will be testing their skills at the Kelpie Muster weekend.

Two Border Collies from the Paws UP project at Armidale will make the 20-hour road trip to Casterton to showcase their abilities in the elite high jump event.

According to Bernie Shakeshaft from Paws UP, the two dogs - Zoro and Girl – have been jumping exceptionally well in recent months and will provide some stiff competition for the Kelpies.

“Zoro is regularly jumping 9ft 4inches, while Girl won a high jump event in Singleton last week at 9ft 3inches so we’re confident they will put in a strong performance and make entertaining viewing,” he said.

The three-year-old brother and sister dog team have been competing in high jumps across NSW for two years and have only lost one event.

“We’ve competed in more than 20 events across NSW, so we’re looking forward to going up against the Victorian dogs,” Mr Shakeshaft said.

Paws UP project member, Dave Boney will be handling Zoro, while Joe Griffiths will oversee Girl during their competition efforts.