Western Province Sheepdog Club

Dog of the Year Trial 15 & 16 June 2021

Watergat Farm, Riversdale

Owner Jurie van der Vyver runs a large mixed farming operation just outside the town of Riversdale. The trials field is about 2kms long and 400m wide, fenced and as flat as one can get. This allowed for a good outrun of 450m for the top dogs and a substantial drive. Jurie gave a flock of healthy mutton merino ewes for the event which were free moving over the flat ground. The gathers were generally very good but the ewes would take off on the away drive and then again half way along the cross-drive. Penning also proved a real challenge with the wily old girls slipping past at the slightest opportunity. We were very fortunate with good weather for both events.

Thanks to our hosts, shepherds and sponsors for four enjoyable days of trialling.

Day 1

​

Beginners (75) : Judge – P Philip

1. AJ van Wyk Roxy 53
    

Juniors (90) : Judge – P Philip

1. WA Hugo Adam 74

2. B Greeff Maya 62

3. J Swart Pennie 54
    

Seniors (100) : Judge – H vd Merwe

1. A Gunter Connie 88

2. WA Hugo Joy 76

3. A Gunter Chade 73
    

TopDogs (100) : Judge – A Philip

1. H vd Merwe Jem 91

2. M Trollip Diesel 84

3. J vd Vyver Sissy 83

4. P Strydom Kyla 80

5. H vd Merwe Donna 80

Day 2

​

Beginners (75) : Judge – A Philip

1. AJ van Wyk Roxy 48
    

Juniors (90) : Judge – A Philip

1. E Jammy Briony 65

2. J Swart Pennie 62

3. B Greeff Maya 56
    

Seniors (100) : Judge – M Trollip

1. P Strydom Floss 80

2. WA Hugo Joy 79

3. Y Fourie Kwagga 76
    

TopDogs (100) : Judge – I Thompson

1. M Trollip Jade 92

2. A Philip Kenn 92

3. P Strydom Kyla 91

4. P Strydom Mac 88

5. R Pretorius Fia 87

Western Province Sheepdog Club
Dog of the Year Trial  12 & 13 June 2021
Skeiding Guest Farm, Heidelberg

Some 10kms west of the Western Cape town of Heidelberg lies the picturesque farm of Skeiding, owned by Neels and Annelize Uys.  Most of the land is rented out to neighbouring farmers for cropping but Neels retains a small portion for some sheep farming activities and for housing his ostriches.  Under normal conditions they have a high occupancy from the international tourist market but with the pandemic have also experienced tough times.

The field we used for the trial allowed for a 300m outrun and sloped up from the handlers post as well as sharply from left to right looking up the field and a “gully” steepening down to the right.  Dogs sent right would lose sight of the sheep before coming up the hill to the lift.  Neels had arranged a flock of some 200 Dohne Merino crosses that get worked by dogs but not in small packets, as a result they required careful handling, too much pressure and they’d be off or losing contact and the same result.  There were, however, some good scores in the top dog class and Pippa Philip with Lin qualified out of the junior class on the second day.

​

Day 1

Juniors (90): Judge – M Trollip
1. J Swart        Pennie     70
2. B Greeff       Maya        67
3. B Lloyd        Plaidy        67

Seniors (100) : Judge – I Thompson
1. R Pretorius     Elke        80
2. A Gunter        Connie    76
3. WA Hugo       Joy        75

TopDogs (100) : Judge – P Philip
1. A Gunter        Molly        92
2. H vd Merwe    Jem        91
3. H vd Merwe    Donna        83
4. I Thompson    Eryn        83
5. J vd Vyver        Trump        81

​

Day 2

Beginners (75) : Judge – A Philip
1. L de Waal        Lisa        46

Juniors (90) : Judge – A Philip
1. P Philip        Lin        83
2. B Greeff       Maya        77
3. WA Hugo     Adam        66

Seniors (100) : Judge – H vd Merwe
1. A Gunter       Connie    87
2. Y Fourie        Kwagga    83
3. A Gunter       Chade        77

TopDogs (100) : Judge – M Trollip
1. A Philip         Kenn        89
2. R Pretorius    Jack        89
3. A Gunter       Molly        89
4. P Strydom     Mac        88
5. H vd Merwe   Jem        87
 

Zimbabwe Sheepdog Club
Dog of the Year Trial
27 & 28 May 2021
Bramber Farm, Ruwa 29 & 30 May 2021
Strathlorne Farm, Enterprize

So wonderful to be able to hold trials again with the easing of the lockdown and a great time was had by all.  We had 25 dogs entered and the trials were held over 4 days with the first 2 days at Bramber Farm in Ruwa and the second 2 days at Strathlorne Farm in Enterprise. The sheep were dorper and dorper cross breeds which tend to be quite heavy but worked well if not initially rattled!  The lower 2 classes ran with 3 sheep and the top 2 classes with 4 with a standard course including shed, pen and single.
Elaine Portch, travelled up from South Africa with Martyn to judge and we were thrilled to have them and hope they enjoyed visiting our beautiful country.

​

Day 1

Beginners (75)
1. W Hundermark    Blu        54
2. V Render            Bee        52
3. V Render            Brock     44

Juniors (90)
1. M Portch            Nip        77
2. R vd Ruit           Hemp     76
3. R vd Ruit           Skid        67

Seniors (100)
1. R vd Ruit         Calla        84
2. G Armand        Nap         75
3. G Armand        Misty        64

TopDogs (110)
1. R vd Ruit        Lilly        80
2. R vd Ruit        Pip         79

​

​

Day 2

Beginners (75)
1. V Render        Brock        62
2. V Render        Bee          60
3. N Bowie         Poppy       34

Juniors (90)
1. R vd Ruit         Hemp       77
2. C Armand        Spot         77
3. G Armand        Riley        72

Seniors (100)
1. R vd Ruit        Calla        73
2. M Portch         Nip          63
3. G Armand       Nap         48

TopDogs (110)
1. R vd Ruit        Pip        82
2. R vd Ruit        Lilly       49

​

Day 3

Beginners (75)
1. V Render            Bee         56
2. W Hundermark    Blu         40
3. H Ludick             Whisky    30

Juniors (90)
1. J Ludick         Sprite      61
2. M Portch        Meg        44
3. G Armand      Riley        26

Seniors (100)
1. R vd Ruit        Calla         72
2. R vd Ruit        Hemp        52

TopDogs (100)
1. R vd Ruit        Pip        82

​

Day 4

Beginners (75)
1. H Ludick        Whisky      52
2. V Render        Brock        46
3. V Render        Bee          46

Juniors (90)
1. M Portch        Zack        75
2. J Ludick         Sprite       67
3. C Armand      Spot         56

Seniors (100)
1. R vd Ruit        Calla        84
2. R vd Ruit        Hemp        72

TopDogs (110)
1. R vd Ruit        Pip        93

Northern Cape Sheepdog Club
DOY Trial

10 & 11 May 2021
Upington

Upington is situated in the North West of the country on the banks of the magnificent Orange river.  The local economy is driven by wine, grapes and raisins mainly for the export market.  As one moves away from the fertile banks of the Orange, farming, mainly sheep is predominant.  For those of us travelling from the Western Cape it would mean a journey of some 900km, those from Johannesburg and surrounds would have 800-1200kms and for our Zimbabwean members it would be a trek of 1800kms.  

The trials were held at the Riva resort 15kms outside the town on the banks of the river.  The resort could accommodate most of the triallists and also had the necessary catering facilities for the evening functions.  The trials field is flood irrigated so there were small ridges and troughs running across the field every 8m or so.  The top half, beyond the bring gates had recently been ploughed making the going tough for dogs, sheep and the shepherds.  Host Jas Liebenberg had to first relocate the resident herd of springbok and two wildebeest.  The field was about 400m long and 200m wide and bounded by a fence.  This allowed for an outrun of 300m for the top dogs and a good cross-drive.

Flocks of feedlot dorper lambs and white dorper lambs off the veld were used.  Not being used to dogs they were challenging to say the least.  The first day we worked all the classes in packets of four and started with top dogs.  Getting the packets flowing was an art with the lambs either facing the dog or bolting if too much pressure was applied.  The first day also saw numerous retirements.  Day 2 saw the lambs more settled but sticky and had to be pushed, sometimes quite forcefully to get them going.  The lower classes worked in packets of three with top dogs once again using four, with a shed, pen and single.

Our sincere thanks to hosts Jas and Enid Liebenberg for a most enjoyable event.  Thanks also to all our sponsors for their support. Hope this becomes a permanent fixture on our trialling calendar.

​

Day 1
Beginners (75) – Judge: A Philip
1. W Fourie        Vlekkie    58
2. J Liebenberg   Jack       35
3. L de Waal        Lisa       33

​

Juniors (90) – Judge: M Trollip
1. J vd Vyver     Ragni      67
2. J Ludick        Sprite      65
3. WA Hugo      Adam      62

​

Seniors (100) – Judge: WA Hugo
1. A Philip        Mirk        82
2. E Jammy      Maxim     68
3. J vd Vyver     Lilla        46

​

Top Dogs (110) – Judge: WA Hugo
1. M Trollip        Diesel     102
2. R Pretorius     Jack        99
3. R Pretorius     Fia          96
4. M Trollip        Jade        95
5. R Pretorius    Bonnie     95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 2

Beginners (75) – Judge: M Trollip
1. L de Waal      Lisa         50
2. H Ludick        Whisky    37
3. J Liebenberg   Jack       36

​

Juniors (90) – Judge: A Philip
1. WA Hugo     Adam    68
2. P Philip        Lin        67
3. J Ludick       Sprite   66

​

Seniors (100) – Judge: WA Hugo
1. A Gunter      Chade     87
2. A Philip        Kit          85
3. A Gunter      Connie    82

​

Top Dogs (110) – Judge: WA Hugo
1. A Philip       Kenn        102
2. A Gunter     Molly        102
3. M Trollip     Diesel       102
4. R Pretorius   Jack        101
5. R Pretorius   Penny       97

After a day’s break we returned to trialling at The Mill, a historic location located about 20km north of Adelaide. Owner Lockhart Ainsley and his son Hugh are well known beef farmers in the area but also run boer goats and a flock of some 300 sheep. Working through the flock on the rest day, the numbers were whittled down to 260 by removing the trouble makers. After welcome rains the field had to be mowed and cleared of invader thorn trees, this was done by club member Barend Meyer and his team who spent 3 full days working tirelessly to provide a wonderful venue. The field was bounded on the right by thorn bushes and a hedge of indigenous aloe, and on the left by a boundary fence. Towards the top on the left the fence came in at right angles before turning out again which meant that Top Dogs sent left would have to bend in and then flow out around the sheep.

The first day of running saw numerous retirements with the sheep simply bolting through the fence and back to one of the two holding pens. We did however have one qualifier with Pierre Strydom and Floss winning the junior class with the necessary score. The second day proved significantly better and Andrew Philip and Mirk qualified out of the junior class.

The Eastern Cape club got numerous sponsors including a large marquee which provided welcome relief from the heat and also housed the caterers and office staff. Catering was done by parents from the neighbouring Bedford Country School. Thank you to our sponsors, the hosts and the Eastern Cape Club for a wonderful event.

Day 1

Beginners (75) : Judge : Andrew Philip

1. Jack Pieterse Nell 43

2. Reg Bowker Tracey 31

3. Jack Pieterse Pepsi 31

Juniors (90) : Judge : Hennie Ferreira

1. Pierre Strydom Floss 81

2. Andrew Philip Mirk 73

3. Pippa Philip Lin 63

Seniors (100) : Judge : Mark Trollip

1. Attie Gunter Chade 79

2. Attie Gunter Connie 71

3. Ragni Pretorius Elke 51

TopDogs (100) : Judge : Hennie Ferreira

1. Ragni Pretorius Penny 84

2. Pierre Strydom Kyla 76

3. Mark Trollip Nikita 73

4. Ragni Pretorius Jack 71

5. Pierre Strydom Mac 67

Day 2

Beginners (75) : Judge : Andrew Philip

1. Jack Pieterse Nell 51

2. Reg Bowker Tracey 40

3. Reg Bowker Zac 32

Juniors (90) : Judge Hennie Ferreira

1. Andrew Philip Mirk 83

2. Andre Lesch Jackes 71

3. Irene Thompson Tarn 70

Seniors (100) : Judge : Pippa Philip

1. Attie Gunter Chade 89

2. Attie Gunter Connie 83

3. Pierre Strydom Floss 43

TopDogs (110) : Judge : Hennie Ferreira

1. Andrew Philip Kenn 97

2. Pierre Strydom Mac 94

3. Ragni Pretorius Fia 94

4. Ragni Pretorius Penny 93

5. Ragni Pretorius Jack 91

Eastern Cape Sheepdog Club

DOY Trial

13/14 April 2021

Situated 35km east of the Eastern Cape town of Adelaide high in the mountains, lies the beautiful farm Thornhill. Owner Brian Miles and his son Robert run a large flock of Merinos, have some lands to pastures and also a successful feed business. Being a new venue, club host Pierre Strydom spent a number of days prior to the event working through the sheep to get a final “workable” flock of some 300 ewes. Also, the field had to be cleared of a number of ant-heaps. The field allowed for either a right or left hand outrun, 400m for the Top dog class, the right hand side being bounded by a fence. On the left, if the dog went too wide they’d disappear into a gully and remain unsighted for some time. Sloping up from the handlers post the field provided for otherwise excellent visibility. Weather throughout the event was pleasant to hot.

Being a mixed flock of lambs and older ewes, the packets of five were “scatty” to say the least, splitting at the slightest amount of excess pressure. This proved a true test for the dogs and made it very difficult to get a flow and straight lines. On day 2 Pierre Strydom and Jill qualified out of the junior class by winning with the required score. The event was however thoroughly enjoyable with Brian and his family taking care of all the catering. They really went the extra mile to make the event a success. Thank you to the EC club and particularly Pierre Strydom for all his efforts, our sponsors and to Brian and Robert Miles.

Day 1

Beginners (75) : Judge – Andrew Philip

1. Jack Pieterse Nell 29

Juniors (90) : Judge – Hennie Ferreira

1. Pierre Strydom Floss 68

2. Pierre Strydom Jill 64

3. Andre Leasch Jackes 56

Seniors (100) : Judge – Mark Trollip

1. Attie Gunter Chade 53

2. Jurie vd Vyver Lilla 41

3. Ragni Pretorius Elke 38

TopDogs (110) : Judge – Hennie Ferreira

1. Ragni Pretorius Fia 82

2. Ragni Pretorius Jack 70

3. Pierre Strydom Kyla 70

4. Andrew Philip Kenn 69

5. Mark Trollip Diesel 67

Day 2

Beginners (75) : Judge – Andrew Philip

1. Jack Pieterse Nell 37

Juniors (90) – Judge – Hennie Ferreira

1. Pierre Strydom Jill 82

2. Andrew Philip Mirk 78

3. Pierre Strydom Floss 69

Seniors (100) – Judge – Pippa Philip

1. Attie Gunter Connie 66

2. Jurie vd Vyver Lilla 52

3. Ragni Pretorius Elke 43

TopDogs (100) – Judge – Hennie Ferreira

1. Ragni Pretorius Fia 87

2. Andrew Philip Kenn 77

3. Jurie vd Vyver Trump 72

4. Mark Trollip Diesel 70

5. Attie Gunter Molly 66

​

Our current COVID regulations allow for limited outdoor sporting events without spectators so we were able to continue with the trialling season. This event took place in the North-East of the country on the farm Uitvlugt near the picturesque town of Dullstroom. With the wet summer coming to an end the area had caught the tail of cyclone Eloise in the weeks prior to the event resulting in localised flooding and a number of roads being damaged. Access to the farm is a 7km stretch of rough dirt, testing under normal conditions, but with the recent heavy rains four wheel drive was a necessity. The weather throughout the event was unseasonally cold with intermittent light showers.

The field was typical highveld grassland sloping gently down from the handler’s post and then gradually up again from the bring obstacle, this allowed for either a left of right hand outrun. Host Kobus Davel once again provided us with a mixed Dohne Merino flock varying in age from 6mnth old lambs to old ewes. This proved really tricky and depending on the mix of the packet could see a good run spoilt by the sheep simply splitting and taking off without any pressure from the dog. They required careful management around the field as too much pressure would result in at least one quitting and if the dog didn’t assert itself sufficiently at the lift the older ewes would challenge. The big test however was at the pen! Nevertheless there were a number of high scores and two handlers qualified from the Junior to the Senior class. Jurie vd Vyver qualified on day 2 with his bitch Lilla and Ragni Pretorius with her younger bitch Elke on day 3.

IT was wonderful being back trialling again, seeing old friends and catching up. Thanks to the WITS club members, hosts Kobus and Vera Davel and our sponsors for well run and enjoyable event.

Day 1

Juniors (90) – Judge : Mark Trollip

1. P Strydom Floss 72

2. K Davel Dozer 65

3. J vd Vyver Lilla 61

Seniors (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. T Quarmby Gypsy 61

2. E Jammy Maxim 51

3. I Thompson Breeze 44

TopDogs (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. R Pretorius Penny 82

2. M Trollip Diesel 80

3. J vd Vyver Trump 80

4. P Strydom Mac 78

5. R Pretorius Jack 77

Day 2

Juniors (90) – Judge : Mark Trollip

1. J vd Vyver Lilla 80

2. J vd Vyver Ragni 77

3. C Taylor Morag 75

Seniors (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. E Jammy Maxim 74

2. T Quarmby Gypsy 56

3. I Thompson Breeze 30

Top Dogs (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. P Strydom Mac 87

2. R Pretorius Penny 86

3. P Strydom Kyla 82

4. R Pretorius Bonnie 81

5. R Pretorius Fia 77

Day 3

Juniors (90) – Judge : Elaine Portch

1. R Pretorius Elke 82

2. J vd Vyver Ragni 64

3. M Portch Nip 62

Seniors (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. T Quarmby Gypsy 72

2. J vd Vyver Lilla 63

3. E Jammy Maxim 58

Top Dogs (110) – Judge : Elaine Portch

1. M Trollip Nikita 104

2. R Pretorius Jack 102

3. R Pretorius Fia 98

4. P Strydom Mac 85

5. R Pretorius Bonnie 84

Day 4

Juniors (90) – Judge : Elaine Portch

1. I Thompson Tarn 74

2. C Taylor Morag 70

3. P Strydom Floss 68

Seniors (100) – Judge : Claire Taylor

1. E Jammy Maxim 72

2. R Pretorius Elke 71

3. J vd Vyver Lilla 70

Top Dogs (100) – Judge : Elaine Portch

1. R Pretorius Penny 87

2. P Strydom Mac 83

3. R Pretorius Bonnie 82

4. R Pretorius Jack 80

5. J vd Vyver Trump 76

West Coast Sheepdog Club

DOY Trial

17/18 Dec 2020

After all competitions for the past season were cancelled due to COVID we were finally able to get back onto the trials field, much to the delight of all the competitors. The traditional season opener was held at the farm Steenbokfontein near the West Coast town of Lamberts Bay. The now familiar field overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and with a cool breeze blowing off the sea made for pleasant trialling conditions. Although the field appears flat, subtle undulations resulted in the dogs losing sight of the sheep in the senior and top dog classes where the outruns are in excess of 300m. The ground had a good covering of natural vegetation including the succulent sour fig which made the going quite tricky. The breeze off the Atlantic was from behind the handler making the whistles very clear at a distance although on the second day the breeze only came up later in the morning making hearing at a distance difficult.

Farm owner Herman Burger provided us with a flock of very healthy Dorper ewes. They required just enough pressure to move them or else would challenge the dog and if pushed too hard would split. Nevertheless, there were a number of very good runs resulting in three dogs qualifying to the following class. On the first day, new hander Andre Lesch qualified out of the beginner class with his dog Jackes and Pierre Strydom with Kyla qualified from seniors to top dogs. The second day saw Yvan Fourie with Kwagga qualify from juniors to seniors. Thanks to our host WA Hugo for all his efforts in making this a most enjoyable event.

Day 1

Beginners (75) – Judge : A Philip

1. A Lesch Jackes 64

2. A Lesch Mia 48

3. W Fourie Vlekkie 31

Juniors (90) – Judge : M Trollip

1. A Gunter Connie 72

2. Y Fourie Kwagga 66

3. J vd Vyver Ragni 65

Seniors (100) – Judge : P Philip

1. P Strydom Kyla 91

2. WA Hugo Joy 89

3. A Gunter Chade 80

TopDogs (110) – Judge : WA Hugo

1. H vd Merwe Jem 97

2. M Trollip Diesel 93

3. P Strydom Mac 83

4. A Philip Kenn 82

5. P Philip Peat 80

Day 2

Beginners (75) – Judge : A Philip

1. A vd Merwe Taff 61

2. W Fourie Vlekkie 53

Juniors (90) – Judge : M Trollip

1. Y Fourie Kwagga 85

2. A Gunter Connie 83

3. B Greeff Maya 81

Seniors (100) – Judge : P Philip

1. WA Hugo Joy 79

2. A Gunter Chade 72

TopDogs (110) – Judge : WA Hugo

1. H vd Merwe Jem 101

2. P Strydom Mac 99

3. M Trollip Nikita 89

4. M Trollip Diesel 88

5. A Philip Kenn 87

​

​