IT will be a classic case of State of Origin in the working dog competition as the friendly rivalry between Queensland and NSW competitors will co-exist at the Working Cattle Dog Trials held at Ag-Grow QMIX Fields Days at Emerald over three days from Thursday, 9,10, and 11.

According to dog trial organizer Steve Bile, Rocklands, Rolleston, up to 60 working dogs representing both Border Collie, and Kelpie breeds are expected to nominate.

“We are expecting nominations from NSW, Toowoomba, Central Highlands, Townsville and the Daintree to vie for the overall winning purse of $1800,” Steve said.

The Working Cattle Dog Trials will be conducted in an area that has been especially constructed by Deweld Engineering of Rockhampton.

Other valued sponsors include Supercoat Pet Food, and Dog Master Trainers.

The trials will be conducted in conjunction with the Working Cattle Dog Trial Association of Queensland.

The competition will be a three-round open competition, held over three days with the final round to be held on Saturday morning, July 12.

The dog with the highest score over the three-day competition will carry the 2009 Ag-Grow Working Dog Title.

Last year, the competition was won by Alastair McDougall of Charters Towers, with his entry Barella Creek Boots.

This year as well as shouldering the responsibility of organizing, Steve himself will officiate as the judge, and therefore will not be competing.

The cattle will be lent by Middlemount beef producers Paul and Judy Wroe, of Natel.

Not only is the Wroe family providing some of their best Braford heifers to work with, but Paul will compete with his team of dogs.

“This will be a great competition with the ‘best of the best’ at work, and each dog will represent years of breeding,” Steve said.

“This is a dedicated sport, and each master will be spending at least a good 10 minutes with their dog giving quality training leading up to this event.”

Plans are underway for a dog sale to be held on Friday afternoon, July 10, at 3pm.

“So far we have 12 dogs catalogued for sale,” Steve said.

*For more information contact Steve Biles, phone 49 844 145.