Sheepdogs cast out of Agfest arena

One of Agfest’s much-loved exhibits, the working dogs, will be absent for the first time in decades this week.

The move to a new location at the eastern end of the site last year has not been replicated, with some competitors complaining there was not enough room to cast dogs out wide around the sheep.

Not having a competition at Agfest is a blow to the Tasmanian Working Sheepdog Association, which has long showcased its working dogs in front of huge audiences at Quercus Park.

It built the original working dog arena at the eastern end of the site, however this was repurposed for equestrian displays in recent years.

The Association has declined to explain what led to the competition being withdrawn, although it did say it hopes to return to the venue in the future.

Rural Youth has stated that while it enjoys working with the Sheepdog Association and actively wishes to continue doing so, “we own our site and are at liberty to restructure our site as we see fit”.

“While the Sheepdog Association did contribute financially to the space they have used in the past, it was a very long time ago and it is in the event’s interest for that space to be reallocated,” a spokesperson said.

Some regular competitors are disappointed with the decision, saying what has become the highlight of their competition calendar will be missed by dog handlers and patrons. 

Traditionally the last trial of the season, Agfest was where consistency awards and Tasmanian state representatives were also decided and announced.

In particular a junior competition introduced last year to encourage younger members to take up three-sheep trialling will miss out.

Southport sheep dog trialler and former Tasmanian Working Sheepdog Association vice president Jane Gallichan said that it’s a proud moment for any competitor to turn up to Agfest with their team of dogs and show their skills to a large audience.

“We love putting on a show for spectators – it’s a real joy when you’re standing around waiting to go on or come off the arena and people want to come up and talk about how the dogs perform and understand stock and how to move them,” she said.

“We have some of the best triallers competing at state and national level and our courses are considered the toughest in the country – I really hope there’s an opportunity to return to Agfest in the future.”

Jane said that ideally there would be 15 to 17 sheepdog trials on the calendar, and at the moment there’s 13, so losing a trial is disappointing.

“At the end of the day it’s the attendees and the sheepdog competitors who are missing out when we don’t get to compete there.”

The next sheepdog trial is at Blessington on May 16 and 17.