The much-loved June long weekend tradition is back, with the 2025 SA Sheep Dog Trials kicking off this morning at 8 a.m. at the Barmera Oval. This year marks the highest number of participants in the event’s history, with 26 competitors registered — more than double entries from just a few years ago.
“We might even have to work under lights for some of it,” said organiser Bob Clark, highlighting the unprecedented turnout.
Competitors hail from South Australia as well as interstate from Victoria and Tasmania, with Loxton represented locally. The trials will include open, novice, and improver classes, with a special Trans-Tasman event set for Friday. The open class competition will continue through to Sunday afternoon.
Clark praised Barmera as a favourite location among competitors. “A lot of our participants tell us this is the best trials they attend — with the town, the lake, and the extra entertainment on offer. You just don’t get that anywhere else.”
The event demands precision and skill, with handlers required to keep sheep within a strict 9-meter-wide corridor marked by yellow lines around the oval. “Competitors start with 100 points and lose points if the sheep stray outside the corridor,” Clark explained. “There’s no prize for speed — the goal is to get all the sheep into the pen and the gate shut within 15 minutes.”
The trials promise thrilling action and showcase the remarkable bond between handlers and their dogs, much to the delight of spectators.
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