Here’s why you should give sheep dog trialling a go
A Huon Valley woman has taken up sheep dog trialling because she wanted an interest that had nothing to do with work, was active and she could do for the rest of her life.
Tasmania
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JANE Gallichan took up sheep dog trialling because she wanted an interest that had nothing to do with work, was active and she could do for the rest of her life.
The chief of TARFish, which represents recreational fishers, Ms Gallichan has worked in both the corporate world and government and has a hobby farm with her husband in the Huon Valley.
“The farm is big enough to need a few sheep, (but) not big enough to make any money. Turns out it is the perfect size to train with working dogs though,” she says.
“I went to AGFest in May 2017 and approached a bloke at the sheep dog trial and asked him ‘how do I get into this game’.
“Turns out the bloke was Bernard McGlashan, one of Tassie’s best dog handlers who has represented Australia.”
A few months later another trialler, Carmen Blyth, “who was extremely generous with her time and advice” rang to tell her about a trained dog.
“That was Slate and we did our first trial up at Meander in September 2017.
“I was so tense before and during our first run I’m surprised I didn’t get a cramp in my bum cheeks.
“I have three dogs in my team now. Slate, the old boy that is still teaching me. Lily, the pocket rocket that never says die. and Trevor the horse who is so tall you could just about throw a saddle on him.”
The dogs trial two to three times a week and are walked at least an hour every day to keep their fitness up.
Ms Gallichan believes top dogs are a combination of natural ability, training and temperament.
“The terrific thing about working dogs is that they learn fast. The flip side is that they can also learn bad habits really quickly.”
When she started she was told it was a four year apprenticeship and last weekend at Exeter she achieved her personal best score of 94 with Slate.
“I knew we were doing well and by the time I was walking to the pen I think I held my breath until they were safely in.
“Afterward, I was shaking because the adrenaline had been really going.
“Slate got a raw sausage as an extra special treat.”
Ms Gallichan pays tribute to everyone who have encouraged her.
“For me, dog trialling is as much a competition with myself as anything.
“(But) At the end of the day it’s a partnership.
“Tasmania really outperforms the rest of Australia producing a lot of the very top dogs and triallers, from the late, great Malcolm Taylor to the current leaders like Lee Jamieson, Michael Grant and Bernard McGlashan.
“Whether its recreational fishing or sheep dog trialling, they are all parts of what makes Tasmania special and need to be protected and supported to continue.”
Ms Gallichan says next year marks 150 years of sheep dog trials in Australia and the best dog triallers will compete in Tasmania.
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