Matthew Johnson – TAS
Kelpies in Action / Pandara Kelpies
Cobber® ambassador Matthew Johnson loves kelpies! He is the founder of respected training school, Kelpies in Action, and breeder of the renowned Pandara Kelpies. Matthew runs several training programs a year. In-between training you will see him at Kelpie trials, Agfest and other events around Tasmania. Until recently, Matthew held the record for the highest price received for a Kelpie at the famous annual Casterton Working Dog Auction, fetching $12,000 for Tom in 2012.
Ben Coster – NSW
Wandabar Stockdogs
Ben Coster of Wandabar Stockdogs is the manager of Brooklands, a 6000 acre sheep and cattle property, near Yass, NSW and Ben can have up to 20 working dogs in his team at a time. He also owns and runs Wandabar Stockdogs, training and breeding kelpies. Ben is active on the trial circuit and when he’s not on the station, you’ll see Ben at a trial, either competing himself or showing his kids the ropes.
Aoidh Doyle – VIC
Whisper Kelpies & Livestock Services
Aoidh came to Australia 11 years ago on a holiday, and never left! Growing up in Ireland, he worked as a shearing contractor back home whilst still in school, and now runs a shearing contracting team here in Australia called Whisper Kelpies & Livestock Services. Working with merino sheep and beef cattle, he has a team of 15 working kelpies who he has been breeding and training for the past 4 years. Aoidh enjoys competing at dog trials, winning the 2022 Australian Yard Dog Open Champion in Tasmania with his kelpie, Cash.
James and Michelle Carr – WA
Shimmy Downs Kelpies
James & Michelle Carr run Shimmy Downs Kelpies, a breeding and working dog training business based in Busselton, WA. With a lifetime of experience on farms, including shearing, sheep farming and dairy farming, James has always had trusty kelpie companions on his team. At SDK they currently have 14 working dogs from 12 weeks old to fully trained and everything in between. All their dogs are fed and thrive on Cobber Puppy or Working Dog.
SPONSORSHIPS
Queensland Working Cattle Dog Trial Association Inc.
Established in 1970, the Queensland Working Cattle Dog Trial Association Inc (QWCDTAI) is a proud supporter of Cobber® and provides a competitive way to foster and encourage the use and training of herding dogs in the cattle industry. By providing a course that stimulates a mini paddock situation with all the skill requirements that may be needed on a daily basis in the paddock. The QWCDTAI holds, on average, one trial event each fortnight and members compete in numerous state and national championships.
New South Wales Working Stock Dog Association
The New South Wales Working Stock Dog Association was established in 2006, to bring together the major NSW Cattle Dog trialling regions in a bid to expand and promote the sport. A committed Cobber® supporter, the association now has 250 members and holds over 25 trials annually.