Marionvale Working Dogs

06/02/2025

Good morning from Port Fairy. Australian Dog of the year commences this afternoon with Di representing WA. She missed the 6 dog trans Tasman final by a point. 88 made it Di scored 87. We are still learning that trial so pretty happy with our efforts. Pete also dropped out of the improver final after posting an 88 earlier in the trial. Dogs have performed really well and the margins are so small to progress. A tiny bit of luck makes a huge difference in any trial. The sheep have been pretty even but if you drew a bad one it cost you. Four runs in the trial to date and every one of my dogs have penned and posted a competitive score. Pretty pleased with that.

05/02/2025

Good morning from Port Fairy. Day off for me today my next run is Friday in the dog of the year with Di. Woody ran yesterday and was very impressive. He listened well (something he struggled a bit with) and penned for an 81. The sheep were grazing then popping up for a run and didn’t like him interrupting them very much. There will be some big scores if the dogs get along with thier sheep on this ground.

05/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8azKo11Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr

State representatives for Australian Dog of the year at the Commonwealth Championships at Port Fairy.
L-R
Mick Hudson NSW (MGH Rabbit), Tom Joyce SA (Oakdowns Sammy), Martin Waddingham TAS (Waterlea Ace), Bailey Knight QLD (Knights Ron), Simon Leaning WA (Marionvale Di), Dave Lacey VIC (Akoonah Blondie) Good luck

04/02/2025

Good morning again. Open improver continues today. Woody should get on and the official opening ceremony will be at 1pm so on with the state uniform.

04/02/2025

More beach down time after the trial. Pete ran an 88 in the improver Jack a 79 in the open and Di an 87 in the transtasman. All Penned their sheep and worked really well. Still lots of dogs to run so we will see how they fair.

03/02/2025

Beach Dogs the new competition for muster dogs! Novice all finished. Pete penned in his run but wasnt good enough to progress into the top 15. His run in the Improver will be tomorrow morning then later in the evening Di will run her trans Tasman trial.

01/02/2025

Good morning from Port Fairy.

31/01/2025

Early morning beach run at Port Fairy. Trial starts today with the Farmers class then the Novice after lunch.

31/01/2025

Port Fairy. The town and community really supporting the Commonwealth Championships trial getting underway tomorrow.

29/01/2025

A couple of days training out at Lal lal Victoria before we head down to Port Fairy.

27/01/2025

Rest day at Lal Lal near Ballarat Victoria. Hot Humid and stormy day. A couple of days training before we head down to Port Fairy.

26/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19o3v54GLz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Winners of the Hypro Cressy Trial 24-26 January 2025. Left to right
- Pip Hudson (NSW), Novice winner with Belongdajon Henry. 63+83=146. Judge Sean O'Leary (VIC)
- Simon Leaning (WA), Improver winner with Yarrabee Jack. 73+79 =152. Also Open winner with Marionvale Di. 90+93=183. Judge Neil Kristiansen (WA)
-Ronelle Welton (VIC), Farmers winner with Doongara Duch (L). 83. Judge Simon Leaning (WA)

Thank you Hypro Group for your support. Huge thanks go to the Cressy Dog Club, Sue Young and Kelly Hodgson for all your work, Barry Paton for the set up support with cones, banners, PA system and let out. Steve Turner, Mick, Ash and the Cressy community thank you. Thank you to the Judges for your time and expertise. This judging role means you are not able to compete and this is acknowledged. Also all who helped with the let out: not limited to Col, Barry, Susan, Dave, Jennifer. Again, Steve we would not have a trial without you and your ongoing sponsorship and support is very much appreciated. Heather Geraghty and Irene Kelly your tireless work record and time keeping is very much appreciated.

23/01/2025

Dogs having their afternoon run after the novice finished today. Marionvale Pete, my only novice dog managed second in the novice behind Pip Hudson.

22/01/2025

Good morning from Cressy 3200km from home. Trial starts this morning at 7am.

20/01/2025

Beach stop for the dogs at Ceduna. Head to Kimba for the night.

19/01/2025

Few more kilometres under my belt heading to Victoria for the Commonwealth Championships , Australian Championship and first stop
Cressy. So far the temperatures across the middle have been kind.

16/01/2025

Best place to be today at Jennapullin 38c. Shady trees. Fortunately a breeze made it reasonable.

05/01/2025

Kipper has become a minor celebrity since arriving here at Marionvale. His natural style and focus, ginger good looks, affable nature and rapid development have been a feature of my page recently but it all could have been so very different…..
Kippers mum is Marionvale Brushy. Brushy was gifted to Cathy the owner of Kipper’s sire, Alfie, as a pet. Bred from some outstanding sheepdogs Brushy was small and cute but unlikely to make it as a working dog. Cathy was happy to take her. As does sometimes happen though, Alfie took a liking to her and despite Cathy’s best efforts managed to wooh her sneakily and get her in pup.
Cathy reached out to me and I advised her breeding pups was not for everyone, the risks were high for Brushy and that the pregnancy could be terminated with a visit to the vet and due to Brushy’s lack of desire for work, that would probably be the best option. Cathy anguished over it but reluctantly booked the appointment and took Brushy in. She was directed to a back room and there she waited….for hours…(well maybe not that long) then the surgery lights went off. Cathy had been forgotten by the vets and left in the surgery until closing. Unimpressed Cathy messaged me. We are having pups!!! I’m not going through that again!!!
The breeding behind both dogs was always good. Oustanding even. Brushy was a double Floss. The click of the pairing was even better. A slice of good fortune and we Welcomed Kipper, and a couple of other outstanding siblings that nearly weren’t.