Southern Tasmanian Carmen Blyth is the first woman to win the state's sheep dog championship.
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The Tasmanian Working Sheepdog Association State Championships held over the weekend at the Campbell Town War Memorial Oval saw Tasmanians gather to impress judges with their working dogs and sheep course tactics.
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Ms Blyth said she had been competing for about six or seven years now and thought there was a lot of luck to her winning.
"I'm the first woman that's got her name on the trophy, so yeah, it was definitely overwhelming," she said.
"I thought I'd done the best I could.
"I thought the dogs, more than me, put in a good run."
The champion was mentored previously by several people including Malcolm Taylor, who carried the state title for many years and died earlier this year.
Mr Taylor gave her the dog she won with, Somerville Spec.
"Malcolm passed away at the start of the year, quite emotional for me," she said.
"I wished he'd been there. I definitely think he was a part of yesterday, I like to think that anyway."
She said the work in her field has taken her to some amazing places and allowed her to meet some amazing people, and it taught her to analyse what others do in competitions.
Ms Blyth urged anyone unsure of participating to come along and give it a go.
"Just come along and have a go.
"Anyone who is passionate about working dogs or stock or anything like that, just step out and have a go," she said.
"It's not exclusive.
"We'd love more members."
TWSDA president Lee Jamieson said competitors needed a bit of luck to back up the hard work that goes into preparing for a competition like this.
"Recent form really means very little, it always depends on the three sheep you draw on the day and how well you and your dog can handle them," he said.
Mr Jamieson said they were disappointed they had to postpone the Supreme Australian Sheepdog Championship until next year due to COVID restrictions but were happy with the number of new competitors in the current season.
There were 50 dogs entered in the open category, 16 in the improver class, 19 in the novice and five in the encourage.
The other winners were:
- Encourage - Max Rainsford with Windrift Bluey
- Novice - Max Rainsford with Windrift Bluey
- Improver - Pip Flower with Flowers Fang
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
