The 2015 Australian Kelpie Muster

This is one of the little woofers the celebration was all about. Casterton is the home of the Kelpie a very special breed of Aussie sheep dog originally from a couple of Scottish Border Collies.

The 1 hour and a half journey across the border into Victoria to visit the town of Casterton was really worth the effort. Bearing in mind 'they' are half an hour ahead of us time wise we needed to make a really early start to be able to catch the Poets Breakfast.

Poets corner

Bush poetry has always been a part of the Aussie culture since settlers first started to arrive in the new land. It is rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians or the Aussie way of life and more often than not side splitting funny. Having only seen the best on video and read some of the poems I really wanted to experience it first hand and today was the day. We were not disappointed and got there in time to hear at least four poems being recited two of which had us all in tears roaring with laughter. A great way to start a dull winters day.

Sleepy Casterton, main street closed to traffic, towns folk dashing here there and every where, Kelpies and their excited owners starting to arrive......

By the time the poetry had finished the street was set up, one part for the fun events the other for the Kelpie Triathlon and other more 'serious' skill testing events. We found our places just in time for the Kelpie Country Street Parade. It seemed like every man, woman, child and their dogs took part.

The Programme promised a full day of activities

We were a little confused and concerned as to why the children were wearing beards all was made clear when they got closer.... they were all sheep! Must remember to have our eyes tested soon....

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Every group was represented, the Gardening one was one of my favourites, all flowers were locally grown!

A pack of the all important competing Kelpies,... The one on this chaps shoulders was from Working Dog Rescue and, much to our amusement, 'sung ' all the way through the procession

The Novelty Events offered prizes for the best 6 legs; 11 Legged Race; Sack Race and many more events like

The Keplie Idol which was made funnier when the dogs realised they were being made to roll over where the horses had not long been through! It was a hard job getting the to stop rolling over then....

They were all very clever and a credit to their trainers.

The working skills were put to test with Indian Runner ducks which apparently is how the dogs train in real life before being let loose on the sheep.

No one thought to train the ducks though they were having none of it so this Kelpie decided to show them how it was done.

Clancy was very grey of muzzle and so quiet and calm with the ducks, almost willing them through the obstacle course. 

There was a Stockmans Trial this chap worked so smoothly with horse and dog, the sheep were through the various obstacles and back in the pen in no time. Very impressive.

Throughout the day the Kelpie Triathlon was taking place starting with a 50 m dash, then the wall climb. The record being an incredible 2.91 meters! Then onto the hill climb which was the funniest of all. You may have spotted the hill with the Casterton name on it at the back of the street photo. For those who know Denne Hill it's a wee bit like the steep side of that before the fire break was put through it. The dogs at the bottom of the hill couldn't see their owners at the very top of the hill but could hear them. Some dogs got very confused and headed off in the opposite direction especially when the owner at the top got a tad hysterical with the arm waving and shouting. Dog was possible a little embarrassed! Some of the dogs incredibly sprinted up the hill a few in less than half a minute.

Such a peaceful magical setting.

A pile up of happy Kelpies having had a grand day out

There must have been dogs of all makes in their hundreds most very polite, happy and waggy, all really well behaved we only found one grumpy one. There were also owners of all back grounds, very similar to their dogs without the wags.... it was a perfect place to people and dog watch.

All the shops were open for business the kerb sides were littered with trestle tables offering all manner of home made items.  

I never cease to be surprised and slightly humbled by the amount of talented people there are around.

There were evening meals being offered at the club house followed by a Country Dance for those who still had the energy.... It really was a brilliant day out and according to the report in the paper at least 10,000 other people agreed with us!