April the 8th.

Tarwonga Utility trials were held on the 4th 5th and 6th of April. On the Fri the sheep were flighty and inclined to scatter making heavy weather for the novice dogs. Fearing a train wreck  I walked down the cast for Driftzs first run and we managed ok getting them into the yard for our yard section without too many problems. Driftz completed a lovely yard run which put us into the final for the first time. Nerves then got the better of me and we finished out of a place but I was happy with her. Caleb had his first trial just in the yard section, and worked very well scoring a 40, an excellent score, so I was really pleased. 

lara gave me a couple of ok runs but was a little feral. She has spent the last two weeks at a friends place visiting a handsome male and was a little out of tune with me. 

The sheep settled a little for Saturdays runs as it rained quite heavily so I cast Driftz from the peg and managed to keep her under control, getting the sheep into the yard well and doing a fair yard run, but the wheels fell off as we re-entered the paddock so I withdrew her. Once the sheep have been in the yard near their friends they are not keen to leave them.

Their were some excellent runs from the 'big guns' of utility in WA, including Neil Kristianson, Nigel Armstrong, Ken Atherton and Gordon Curtis. Between them they cleaned up most of the placings, with Andrew Gorton also placing with Bella and Richard Mcguire and Tony Boyle getting a few dogs into the finals. Denise Scuds also had a run in the finals with Cody, the only dog she is running at the moment. Also in the finals for the first time were Rick Jantz and Haydn Harries with their border Collies.

It was a great weekend, despite the sheep being a little difficult but that is trialing and what makes it so challenging. 

In other news, Rio's pups are thriving, looking a little like baby hippos, and this morning Kimba suddenly realized chooks were great to chase and so I had to run her down to catch her. Up to now she has ignored them but very suddenly switched on so will soon be ready to work a few sheep.

We have had some lovely rain, 55 mils followed by another 7 then a further 7 yesterday making a lovely early start to the season. Green grass is germinating rapidly and it is lovely to see and lovely to have no dust for a change. Looking forward to a nice season this year.