Barrick Parker, 28th September 2025
The 2025 Murray Valley Championships at the Henty Machinery Field Days has been run and won over three huge days of trialling.
It is important to note that this is the only trial on the calendar that is run by, and on behalf of, the NSW Yard Dog Association. It is the most public yard dog trial in Australia with up to 60,000 people passing through the gates each year at the Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD). To be able showcase the highest level of yard dog trialling at Australia’s biggest field day is a fantastic opportunity for the NSWYDA and our members. Belinda Anderson, HMFD CEO, has facilitated the successful running of this event for many years and we cannot thank her enough for her continued assistance and support.
This year a new committee; led by Dale Thompson, Kylie McDougall and Barrick Parker, were selected to drive the event forward and promote our sport in the most positive light. It has been a huge team effort, and a special mention must also go to Carolyn Thompson, Brock McCabe, Hannah Parker, Danny Ruben and Neale Taylor for their contributions during the event and in the months leading up to it.
The Hypro Group have continued their incredible sponsorship to the Murray Valley Championship for a fourth year and this year we have also received support and sponsorship from a very generous group of businesses that allowed us to offer over $10,000 in prize money, trophies and merchandise. Nutrien Ag Solutions – Wagga Wagga, Marchant Engineering, Drover Ag Recruitment, Bromar Engineering, Delta Ag – Livestock and Property, SheepmetriX, Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine, Kambah Poll Merinos, Grovers Country Clothing, Craven Designs, Pickles Sheep Handler and Leader Products. The yards and panels were donated by Red River and the sheep donated by Joe Kingston and Bullenbung Merino Stud. Events like this simply cannot happen without the support of these businesses so please keep them in mind when considering your next purchase.
Generous sponsors, quality competitors, volunteers and respected judges are some of the key elements of a successful trial. We have been fortunate to have four of the best oversee the three days of competition. Dayne West judged the Maiden, Aoidh Doyle the Novice, Neale Taylor the Improver and our Open Championship judge was Michael Johnston. Thank you for your efforts and maintaining such a high standard.
Brock McCabe put in a huge three days as head stockman in the let-out yards, loading and unloading each day. He was first there and last to leave, and ensured the sheep were well looked after and presented evenly for every run. We lost count of the number of competitors that volunteered their time in the let-out yards and on the timekeeper’s desk, however special mention must be made to Jake Varena, Carolyn Thompson, Brad Watts, Marcus Campbell, Sarah Lee, Aoidh Doyle, Bec Clothier and Brad Gavenlock who, amongst many others, were a constant presence across the three days. All your contributions did not go unnoticed, and it demonstrated the fantastic comradery shown between all competitors for this event.
Dayne West not only judged our maiden event all day Tuesday, but he also donated the use of his PA system, music and then commentated for the next two days. He has a terrific ability to capture the crowd’s attention, and it was evident that any time he was on the microphone that the crowd numbers doubled. Thank you for a huge effort Dayne!
If you need an event livestreamed then look no further than Danny Ruben, the best in the business! It is terrific to be able to document and broadcast such a prestigious event to the wider community. The amount of time that Danny contributes with his livestream and technical support for the association can, at times, go unnoticed. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you back in NSW for more events next year.
Click here to see the Murray Valley Open Championship recording
While there were many highlights across the three days, here are two that I’m sure everyone in attendance enjoyed. Firstly, it was fantastic to see trial organiser, Dale Thompson, take his fourth Open Championship win at Henty. Dale and Carolyn have contributed a huge amount of time towards running the event this year and their stud; Broken River Kelpies donated the buckle for the Open Championship winner.
The second highlight that brought a smile to everyone’s face was seeing 11-year-old Tommy Lee take a very deserving win in the Maiden event with a run of 97 in the final. He was a very popular winner, and the picture below of the Maiden presentation perfectly captures the spirit and camaraderie with which all our competitors conducted themselves.
The future of dog trialling is in safe hands!
Thank you to all competitors for your support, sportsmanship and assistance in running this trial. We look forward to seeing you back again in 2026.
Barrick Parker
Full results
Hypro Group and Nutrien Ag Solutions Open Championship
1st Dale Thompson and Clay 187
2nd Brad Watts and Chilly 186
3rd Dan Camilleri and J 184
4th Dean Incher and Rafa 182
5th Fred Rains and Nina 181
6th Shane Maurer and Keeper 176
7th Catherine Rains and Asher 155
SheepmetriX & AWSDM High Point Female Handler – Catherine Rains
Kambah Poll Merino & Grover Country Clothing Stockmanship award – Brad Watts
Drover Ag Improver
1st David Lee and Test 193
2nd Jake Varena and Axel 185
3rd David Lee and Zeus 182
4th Jake Nowlan and Sam 181
5th Barrick Parker and Jess 179
6th Fred Rains and Speedy 178
SheepmetriX & AWSDM High Point Female Handler – Casey Hayes
Kambah Poll Merino & Grover Country Clothing Stockmanship award – David Lee
Bromar Engineering Novice
1st Marcus Campbell and Fulla 184
2nd Shane Maurer and Fly 182
3rd Matt Whitley and Sam 159
4th Barrick Parker and Sophie 147
5th Paddy Mulquinney and Sike 142
6th Jake Varena and Clancy 125
SheepmetriX & AWSDM High Point Female Handler – Sarah Lee
Kambah Poll Merino & Grover Country Clothing Stockmanship award – Sean Mazuran
Delta Ag Maiden
1st Thomas Lee and Choice 190
2nd Marcus Campbell and Donny 183
3rd Jeremy Lim and Cessna 180
4th Fred Rains and Tiger 179
5th Andrew Hindmarsh and Cash 178
6th John Clothier and Trix 148
SheepmetriX & AWSDM High Point Female Handler – Laura McKillop
Kambah Poll Merino & Grover Country Clothing Stockmanship award – Thomas Lee