Emily Kissick taking sheep dog trials by storm Article by Kate Loudon, The Land | Photos Emily Kissick After only two years training and one year trialing, 19-year-old Emily Kissick, Bathurst, has taken the top spot in the novice section at the Commonwealth Championship Sheepdog Trials. Held in Tasmania at Port Fairy from February 6-14, the trail attracted a total of 260 competitors with over 500 let outs during the competition.
Miss Kissick grew up in Sydney and was first exposed to working dogs after her father purchased one for their Crookwell property. “Ever since we got him, I have loved it and wanted to get into it” she said. “Dad bought me my first dog when I was 16 and I have loved it since. Everyone is really welcoming in the sport and it’s really fun.” Miss Kissick currently has a team of five dogs, four of which are Border Collies, and one Kelpie. “I only really have one competing at the moment, the rest are up and comers,” she said. Currently she is competing with a white and brown Border Collie female named Vaimari Dixie. This was the fourth trial for Miss Kissick who is new to the competitions. Her first trial competition was in Molong, with Miss Kissick saying “it was a bit of a play around and it was really great fun”. “Next was Finley, where I got third in the encouragement,” she said. “After that I was pretty hooked. I started knuckling down and training.” Following this she went to the Australian Sheepdog Championships at Koroit, Vic, where she placed first in the encouragement section.
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