Aoidh Doyle, from Bonnie Doon, and his seven-year-old black and tan Kelpie, Cash, scored 284 points to win the Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships after emerging from a four-way tie for first place.
Mr. Doyle moved to Australia 13 years ago, having grown up on a dairy farm in County Wexford, Ireland.
“I came out here in 2011 after finishing school and loved it so much, I never went back,” Mr. Doyle said.
“I am a livestock contractor and shearing contractor with a big team of dogs.”
Will Goggin from Bredbo won the Three Sheep Trial, from a field of 241 entries, with his six-year-old Border Collie, Bredbo Scooter.
Judge Bill Luff was forced to add more sheep to determine the Yard Dog Championships winner, reaching a maximum of 18.
Last year’s winner, Dale Thompson from Benalla, placed fourth with Broken River Jake, scoring 275 points, and fifth with Clay, scoring 188 points.
Mr. Doyle won the Australian Championships with Cash in 2022 and is the 2024 Australian Yard Dog Champion with Whisper Snip. He competed with four dogs at Henty this year.
“It’s a big trial at Henty, and it’s good to get your name up there, as the competitors are very experienced,” Mr. Doyle said.
“I got Cash at seven months old from my father-in-law when I started a farmhand role, and I have quite a few pups by Cash—he is a very athletic dog and a great asset in the hills.
I’ve learnt a lot from him.”
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