Page's Working Dog Centre, Terka-Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia


	The Flinders New 25th August 2004

	Melrose					handler.The course demanded that they manouevred a small group of sheep through various obstacles in a paddock and worked them through the yards with a larger mob. Kevin Howell, of Eugowra NSW, won the Flinders Challenge Open title with his dog, Karana Aussie II. He also won the Flinders Challenge Novice title with Karana Duke. Winners of each section of the Utility and Yard trials were: Utility Open - Kevin Howell with Karana Aussie II; Novice - Rick Jones of Broken Hill, NSW with Silvercity Rowdy; Encourage - Rob Cooley of Cradock, SA with Kelly. Yard Dog Open - Noel Worner of West Wyalong, NSW, with Nick; Improver - Jim Marshall of Scone, NSW, with Gunna Bess; Novice - Kevin Howell with Karana Scud; and Encourage - Rob Cooley with Kelly. Proceeds from the event supported the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Booleroo Centre District Hospital.
	More than 160 dogs competed in the second Combined Insurance Flinders Challenge Sheepdog Trial held recently at Melrose. Now the largest sheepdog trial in SA, it drew many spectators and tourists from interstate and overseas. Many of the top handlers in Australia - with a string of national and State titles to their name - vied lor the jbrestige of winning the Flinders Challenge crown. Competitors came from throughout NSW, Victoria and SA. Two trials, a Utility and aYard Dog trial, were held over four days, with some brilliant dogs in a very tight competition. The dog scoring the highest first round points in both trials was declared the winner of the Flinders Challenge. Utility trials are popular with many of the best triallers as they test all the skills and versatility of the dog and




						COMPETITOR...Event co-ordinator, Ben Page, chats with a Jamestown competitor,Tim Hill, at the recent sheepdog trials in Melrose.