IN PICTURES: Sheepdogs put their paces at Pingelly trials

Pingelly Tourism Group are excited to be hosting another four-day sheepdog trial competition at the Pingelly Sheep Dog Ground on Parker Street from April 20-23. “It’s a perfect weekend,” PTG’s Merv Beard said. “Wongan Hills, Badgingarra, Waroona, Harvey, they come from all over and they really fit in here, they’re a good group of people.” About 120 workers and 230 dogs will compete in the event which is free for spectators. Ivan Solomon from Perangery Station put his border collie Perangery Dot through her paces for the judges on the opening day of the trials. “I’ve represented Australia four times in the Trans-Tasman,” Mr Solomon said. “We have a yearly test against New Zealand, the four best dogs and workers in Australia against the four best in New Zealand. We’ve had a fair amount of success. While I was in the team we won two and lost two of the events, so we finished even.” Every State apart from the Northern Territory and Tasmania holds sheep dog trials every year, providing workers and dogs with a range of competition over different courses. “It’s a good thing to do be able to do,” Marge Solomon said. “There are different set ups and different sheep. They’re the challenge, the sheep.” Mr Solomon’s Perengary Dot will turn 2 in May. “Her mother was WA dog of the year last year, and she won the big Wagin trial a little while ago,” he said. “They’re bred and trained to be switched right on, sometimes I can’t even get through to her.” Traditionally the domain of border collies, kelpies like Terry Martino’s dog Bo are increasingly participating in trials across WA. Pingelly will host three trials in 2023, culminating with State trials in October. Next year PTG hopes to host the national Supreme Australian Dog Trial.