A Boorowa resident has become the first woman to win an open final at the Tullamore NSW Sheep Dog Trials.
And that's not all.
Julie Birkett took out both first and third place with two different dogs in the TJ McMahon Memorial Open Trial in what was her first Tullamore competition.
Her achievement has been described as phenomenal by the region's best sheep and dog handlers.
The trials are held as part of the Tullamore Show by the Tullamore PA & H Association themselves and takes place a week before the show - this year from 1-3 August - because they utilise the open horse arena and need as many volunteers as they can muster.
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Show stalwart and a master with merinos Alan Larkings is a steward for the trials and was blown away by the quality of the competition among the 90 entrants this year.
"When you compete in an open sheep dog trial you're up against the best of the best, [in] probably Australia, if not the world," Alan said.
"Julie's dog score was 98 out of 100, I have never seen or heard of a score so high.
"It was a phenomenal effort."
Alan said the trials have been so successful since they began in its current format in 2013 and for the last few years attract between 90 and 100 dogs.
At one stage in this year's open trial the renowned Pip Hudson was leading the competition.
Those moving in the working dog circles would know who Pip is - he's the third of what are now five generations of sheep dog handlers in his family.
He resides in Gulgong in the Central West and has been competing for more than 70 years.
Pip's son Mick from Dubbo also competed in the Tullamore trials.
"Now Pip Hudson, many would know would have won numerous or perhaps even hundreds of sheep dog trials," Alan said.
"He bred many, many champion working sheep dogs and he's also been a help to anybody that asks - Pip would go out of his way to help anybody with dogs.
"He's just a wonderful ambassador for the sheep dog association.
"And when their score was given out, the first person to be at the gate was Pip Hudson, he walked over and gave her (Julie) a great big hug and congratulations.
"It was something quite special to see the sportsmanship that goes along with those people."
Bernadette Boneham, a former Tullamore local who now lives in Parkes, has been an assistant steward of the trials since they were reintroduced.
She said the trials have grown to have a big following in the town and young people seem quite passionate about it.
Paul Schiller was the main instigator in bringing back the sheep dog trials in Tullamore, with the help of a few others, which is run a little differently to how it was in the past.
Though it still emanates a traditional vibe as is the feedback they've received, Bernadette said the event has become part of the community.
"They come and they camp, they go to the local hotel and they get involved with the locals," she said.
"I really like the atmosphere, it's a lot of fun, I really enjoy it.
"Although not trialling now, Paul Schiller still loves the trials and likes to encourage young triallers."
Sheep dog trialling has historically been a sport for men but there's been an increase over the years in the number of female handlers taking part in competitions.
"When we first started we only had a few women, now we have a lot of women," Bernadette said.
"There were a lot of first-timers to Tullamore this year and the majority of them were women - it was Julie's first time."
The show committee really appreciates the support it receives from people heavily involved in trials when they are short of workers or need training in association changes and upgrades.
Results from the 2025 Tullamore Sheep Dog Trials
T J McMahon Memorial Open Trial
1st – Julie Birkett – Brands Hatch Sierra Tequila.
2nd – Pip Hudson – MGH Ester.
3rd – Julie Birkett – Brands Hatch Bundaberg.
4th – Mick Hudson – Echo Park Mel.
Bert Sunderland Memorial Novice Trial
1st – Mick Hudson – MGH Heidi.
2nd – Justin Lawman – MGH Conan.
3rd – Jess Kimpton – Quickstep the Dude.
4th – John Reedy – Melken Cooper.
Improver Trial
1st – Jess Kimpton – Quickstep the Dude.
2nd – Tegan Perry – Perry’s Mack.
3rd – Pip Hudson – Belondaton Henry.
4th – Justin Lawman – MGH Conan.
John O’Dea Memorial Encouragement Trial
1st John Reedy – Antarn Olaf.
2nd John Reedy – Annaway Jackman.
3rd Megan White – Fletchers Monté.
4th John Reedy – Melken Cooper.
Fastest Run – Douglas Taylor with Borronga Shine, who clocked the fastest run of the trials in an impressive seven minutes and 47 seconds.
