GOOD people and wide-open spaces for his dogs to run are among several reasons South Australian farmer Rex Hocking has visited the Wentworth Show for the past 20 years.
Mr Hocking, who lives on a farm in Avenue Range, has made the 1000km round trip every year to enjoy the weather and lead his dogs in the show’s annual paddock dog trials.
This year the family farmer has brought eight sheep dogs to compete in the trials, which involve dogs racing against the clock to guide three sheep through a series of gates to a finishing point.
But while he hoped the trials, which conclude on Saturday, would bring out the “best parts” in his dogs, Mr Hocking said he was also happy to enjoy the atmosphere at the Wentworth show.
“It’s just a great place to come,” Mr Hocking said. “There’s plenty of space around to run your dogs. Good people. Good show and a lovely town and atmosphere.
“We just love coming up here – it’s a bit warmer than where we come from.”
The paddock dog trials are among several popular events at the show, including the animal nursery and sheep shearing demonstrations.
After the 114-year-old Barrett pavilion was condemned, the Wentworth Show will this year feature a new community pavilion where produce and needlework will be on display.
Wentworth Show Society president Sholto Douglas said it was important for everybody to return to the two-day event, which has run for 135 years, after having missed out on valuable social opportunities over the last two years.
“We all know how COVID has affected people in different ways,” Mr Douglas said. “(It’s) no different out here in the bush.
“We want to have those social events such as the show to bring all the people in and just forget about the world for a minute and just come and enjoy a country show.
“it’s just a great place to come meet, talk about the last 12 months or however long it has been since you’ve seen somebody.”
The gates open on Saturday at 8am. For ticket information, visit: www.123tix.com.au.
