The Montego Western Province Regional Sheepdog Championship was held on the Duthie-owned Woodbourne Farm on the Eastern Head, providing a spectacular venue for the weekend's event, which saw 35 energetic dogs and their handlers compete in two separate competitions over the two days.
The four classes within the competition comprised of beginners (entry level for dogs and handlers), juniors, seniors and Top Dog class in which the most experienced dogs competed, not only to win the class but also for points towards the prestigious title of Dog of the Year which is awarded to the dog that performs most consistently throughout the year.
"The course was small, but tricky and the young Dorper ewes provided their own challenge, preferring to take off down the hill towards the lagoon if the dogs put them under too much pressure," said Pippa Phillips, vice-president of the South African Sheep Dog Association.
Dog handlers came from as far afield as Muldersdrift in Gauteng, Dullstroom, Sutherland and Caledon in the Cape. Henry van der Merwe (74), a Sutherland farmer was the oldest dog handler in the competition and Jana Basson (10), the youngest. Basson ran her father's dog for her first attempt at this sport "proving that this is where young and old, male and female can compete on equal terms," explained Phillips. Of the 16 handlers competing there were an equal mix of farmers and "hobby handlers"( handlers who compete just for the sport of it).
These sheepdog trials only run during the winter months in South Africa as the summer is too hot for both sheep and dogs alike. The close of the sheepdog trial season will be marked by the national championship to be held in Caledon, Western Cape on September 27 to 30.
The winners of this weekends event were:
- Day 1 - Montego Classic Woodbourne Championship:
- Beginners - first Lulu and Sue Harriss (De Rust) and second, Spot and Reg Bowker (Grahamstown).
- Juniors - first Trace and Andrew Philip (Caledon) with Chase and John Duthie (Knysna) in second position, Charlie and John Duthie third and Tui and Andrew Philip fourth.
- Seniors - Swift and Claire Taylor (Dullstroom) were first, Fern and Pippa Philip (Caledon) second, third were Squire and Chris Hayward (Aberdeen) and fourth Yuka and Francois du Toit (Bredasdorp), followed by Lass and Lynette Trollip (Johannesburg).
- Top Dogs - Thomas and Henry van der Merwe were the winners, followed by Trig and Pippa Philip in second place, Tweed and Faansie Basson (Swellendam) in third, Don and Faansie Basson came fourth and Moss and Henry van der Merwe took fifth position.
- Beginners - First Lulu and Sue Harriss, second Molly and Jana Basson (Swellendam) and in third position, Spot and Reg Bowker .
- Juniors -Cas and Elsie Jammy (Johannesburg) came first, Charlie and John Duthie second, Tui and Andrew Philip ended third, followed by Trace and Andrew Philip in fourth and Chase and John Duthie in fifth position.
- Seniors - Swift and Claire Taylor were the winners, Fern and Pippa Philip came second, third were Squire and Chris Hayward, fourth Lad and Chris Hayward, followed by Yuka and Francois du Toit.
- Top Dogs - the winners were Moss and Henry van der Merwe (Sutherland), followed by Amy and Mark Trollip (Johannesburg) in second, Don and Faansie Basson came third, the fourth position went to Tweed and Faansie Basson, followed by Thomas and Henry van der Merwe.
