- 3 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:04It's amazing how much can change in a year.
00:07I reckon Little Miss Muffet will be sheep.
00:10What do you reckon?
00:11Good boy.
00:12That's...
00:12How's it going mate?
00:15Good boys aren't you mate?
00:16Barely 12 months ago, these cute little fur balls were small enough to fit into your hand.
00:23You are mate, aren't you?
00:25Now they're fully grown and ready for the biggest challenge of their lives.
00:31He just loves it when you talk to him, doesn't he?
00:37Their handlers too have undergone massive change.
00:44Having started the journey as rookie trainers, there's now just one last hurdle for them to clear.
00:51Yeah? Bugger it. Whatever happens, happens. Now?
00:55Shut up. That's it.
00:56Pick him up.
00:57In this final push to become an elite working dog team...
01:02It was really, really hard. My God!
01:05It's not just the pups who have to prove themselves.
01:09Yeah, I was extremely nervous about how we were going to perform.
01:13We're ready for disaster because she's not a mature dog compared to the others.
01:17Set.
01:18It was rigged. It was stolen.
01:20I'm starting a Stop the Steal campaign.
01:22We're done.
01:23He's like, no.
01:24That's the...
01:25Good care!
01:26Good job!
01:27And when the dust settles...
01:28Oi!
01:29Who will be crowned Champion Mustardog?
01:35Come on!
01:36Here!
01:36Good boy!
01:37Come on!
01:41Oh dear! What are we going to do with you?
01:45Go!
01:53Go!
01:57What are you doing?
01:58Been working hard, have you?
02:00Good boy!
02:10Rob, you ready for work?
02:17Alrighty, let's do it.
02:20It's cold and rainy, bloody windy.
02:23Bloody windy!
02:25It's been a frosty few months in regional Australia.
02:34And the cooler conditions can make training a little challenging.
02:42Depending of course on which side of the country you live.
02:51But for these six pups and their dedicated but inexperienced handlers, the colder weather
02:59is not the only thing coming to an end.
03:01They're 12 months old and I cannot believe we're nearly at the final end, thank goodness.
03:10In terms of Wurrima's progress over a 12 month period, I'm really pleased with how he's come along.
03:17You know, he's not an aggressive dog, he's a very friendly dog, he's been really happy
03:21and there he is again, he just won't stop.
03:27Good boy!
03:28They've successfully passed three assessment stages, leaving just the fourth and final stage to go.
03:35The 12 month assessment.
03:38Hooray!
03:40Hooray!
03:41Happy Birthday Captain!
03:44No, that's for Captain!
03:46And each is coming into it with their own obstacles to overcome.
03:50Oh!
03:51Okay.
03:52Yeah, I think Captain and I are as prepared as we can be with the time that I had.
03:58I was a bit disappointed we lost time training with some medical issues, but I think we'll
04:04give it a good crack and yeah, we'll see how we go.
04:07See it?
04:08See it?
04:09Yeah, this whole Mustard Dogs experience was a lot more challenging than what I thought it
04:12was going to be.
04:14I had a lot of troubles at the start, which kind of took a toll on me I think and
04:18yeah,
04:19I've got no confidence that I will probably win, probably to be honest.
04:22I just don't, I don't know.
04:23If I can just complete the task, I think I'll be pretty happy and if not, it'll be entertaining
04:28anyway, so.
04:30I've been trying to get braver with cows.
04:33I did get three strong cattle just to help me with the fear, but those cows now chase
04:41me through the paddock and I'm done with them.
04:44I don't think I worked them again after that, that was it, I was done.
04:47So getting me in the yards with those cattle at the finale, it's not going to happen.
04:53As soon as one starts running, I'm off.
04:58Unlike the previous assessments, the participants will be undertaking this final test together.
05:05Alfie.
05:06So it's time to pack up the car.
05:09Really?
05:09And hit the road.
05:11This is Boromah helping.
05:13Alright, all aboard.
05:14Good girl.
05:16Oh, I wonder who's done that to the seat, Roxy.
05:19Eh?
05:21Yes.
05:22We've got to load the precious cargo.
05:24Good girl!
05:26Blossom's ready to go.
05:29The destination is Shamrock Vale Station, located about 10 kilometres outside of Bow Desert
05:36in South East Queensland.
05:39I'm kind of glad we're in Queensland because I didn't have very far to go, especially when
05:44I had to kick the bugger out because he was farting the whole way.
05:47So he was on his last leg and had to have a break out of the car for a bit
05:51because that
05:52was rank.
05:53This boy has not stopped farting the whole way.
05:57Jeez, boy.
06:02Waiting on sight for their apprentice dog handlers are expert mentors, Joe Spicer, Joni Hall,
06:10and Mick Hudson, with Collie breeder and educator, Carolyn Hudson, here to check in on the pub's
06:18progress.
06:19Looks like we've got the first participant coming.
06:22Never late for class, New South Wales school principal Ian
06:26and his favourite student, Booramur, are first to arrive.
06:30G'day, mate. You're looking pretty smart.
06:32Oh, thank you. Thank you.
06:33I think they've sent the age before beauty out first, though, is what it is.
06:37So Ian and Booramur are a real classic case of Jekyll and Hyde
06:41where you've got this fun-loving dog that's a clown away from stock
06:46and then just gets in the zone.
06:49So they're a dark horse for coming from behind and maybe taking this out.
06:53No, he's a good boy. He's going well.
06:55Furry Kelpie.
06:57Very well, very well.
07:01Soon, Western Australia's Rex and Alfie also roll in.
07:05Oh, g'day, buddy.
07:06Bring it in.
07:08Very pretty, isn't she?
07:10Absolutely.
07:11There's a credit to you, mate, the way you've got her looking.
07:12Oh, thank you very much. I'm excited to see what she can do.
07:16Excited to see her.
07:18Hi, how's it going?
07:19Hey!
07:21And there's a lot of excitement for Queensland cowgirl Shady Jane
07:24and collie pup Turner.
07:27Booramur, what have you been feeding that dog?
07:30Just me, kiddo.
07:32I want whatever he's on.
07:36G'day, Sam.
07:37Typically cool and collected, Sam and Captain are next to arrive.
07:42How are you, mate?
07:42Good, how are you all?
07:43How are you going, Captain?
07:44Oh, cool name.
07:46Love it.
07:47Hey, mate.
07:47Hello.
07:48Sam and Captain have turned up looking very well.
07:50I like to see that, that they're well looked after and well bonded and well cared for.
07:54Oh, we've got her.
07:55And to watch them improve throughout the year has been incredible.
08:00Yeah, they're going exceptionally well and I think there's a really strong chance in this grand final.
08:05Roxy, come on.
08:07Tasmanian stockhand Max is not too far behind with Kelpie Roxy.
08:13How's it going, buddy?
08:13Not too bad.
08:14Max, howdy.
08:16Who greets her siblings for the first time in nearly a year.
08:20Booramur, come here.
08:21Oh, dear.
08:24There you go.
08:25Happy too.
08:29After nine days and 4,000 kilometres, stuck in a caravan with two young children.
08:36Team WA.
08:37Here she comes.
08:39Courtney and Blossom are pretty happy to be here.
08:43Oh, good to see you.
08:45Good to see you.
08:46Courtney, she travelled a hell of a long way from WA and probably super, actually nervous,
08:53I would say a little bit, but super excited at the same time.
08:56So I can't really say too much about the other people, but I know that they want to have their
09:02game on because the WA team is running hot.
09:06Hello, you're a beautiful girl.
09:08It's a joyful reunion for all.
09:11Best looking dog.
09:15But for one of the participants, just making it here has been a monumental effort.
09:20Hey.
09:21Well, Alfie don't.
09:22Who says this?
09:24Yeah, so since we've been preparing to come over for the finale, Alfie's been doing really
09:29well, but I've been feeling really lethargic, really tired, and then it just got too much.
09:36I was really muscularly weak.
09:37I had no energy, I was really struggling to move around, and I went into hospital, and
09:47yeah, it turned out that I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
09:50Oh, cool.
09:53So I was pretty full-on, hourly observations, taking bloods, taking sugars, everything.
09:59It was quite a shock, one of those things that just crept up out of nowhere.
10:05I thought I was fine, I was healthy, you know, I'm young, fit, I'm active.
10:12So that was like last week, and then early next morning, we're on the plane, so yeah,
10:17it's been a whirlwind to get here, but I'm feeling good, feeling positive and ready to
10:22get into it.
10:25Righty-o, let's do it, eh?
10:27Yeah.
10:29Pour them up.
10:31Come on.
10:36Daybreak the following morning, and conditions are hot and humid.
10:41It is Queensland, after all.
10:45And as the stifling heat starts to build, so too do the nerves.
10:51Ah, the nerves are rattling, but I know I've got a lot to get through, and I just, yeah,
10:57hopefully everything goes well.
11:02Today's final assessment will be overseen by three experts of the working dog world.
11:08Professional dog educator and breeder, Helen MacDonald.
11:12Sheepdog trial champion, Barry Knight.
11:15And last year's champion muster dog winner, Kim Dodson, here to hand over the baton.
11:22Yeah, it's really good to see, you know, like a next generation of people coming through.
11:28I'm so nervous being a judge for the finale of muster dogs.
11:32It was so much more stressful being a judge than it is a participant.
11:36I'd much prefer to be here with a dog and actually just working a dog.
11:40Trying to be nice.
11:42Sorry, I have no lean-ins.
11:43No, I know, I know.
11:45Things get a little bit difficult, you don't know what to expect,
11:47because we're working with handlers that have got little experience and...
11:52Me?
11:53Good girl, you're so clever.
11:55Oi.
11:55When you're learning to train a dog, things can get a little bit hair-shaped.
12:01They're nice.
12:03The 12-month assessment will consist of three distinct challenges on three different types
12:09of stock.
12:11Through each of the tasks, we will be looking at their stock work and looking at the levels
12:16that the dogs are at, but I think one of the biggest challenges that they'll face is
12:21the three different species, cattle, sheep and goats.
12:25For a young dog and for inexperienced handlers, it is going to be a big challenge for them
12:30to adapt to working each of those livestock.
12:36That'll do.
12:36For challenge number one, four markers have been set up in a straight line,
12:41with a large mob nearby waiting to go through them.
12:45But if they think it's going to be easy...
12:47Yeah, exactly.
12:47That's right, yeah.
12:48Well, they're sheep out of luck.
12:55First, the participants need to send their dogs out around the stock and then get the
13:00sheep to follow them through a set path, weaving a delicate figure eight around the centre markers
13:06while staying inside of the outside ones.
13:10Come on, rabbit, get up.
13:11With the dogs balancing the mob from the sides and the rear, they'll then need to maintain
13:16that flow all the way to the paddock gate.
13:20Our three judges will assess each participant's cast, stockmanship and pen-up,
13:26with the highest placed being declared the winner.
13:30Anyone feeling confident?
13:31No.
13:35So we now know what the tasks are and I'm feeling a little bit nervous now.
13:41I always forget to breathe.
13:43I get really nervous and anxious and that's half my battle is just when I do things I forget
13:47to breathe.
13:50Come here, mate.
13:52You got this shardy?
13:53Stay at the peg, mate.
13:54Are you ready?
13:55Are you ready?
13:56Let's go do it.
13:57With the judges watching on...
13:59Relax.
14:00Breathe.
14:00It looks like Shady Jane has drawn the short straw.
14:06When you're ready.
14:08Right back.
14:09Back.
14:10Back.
14:12Back.
14:12Back.
14:16Good boy.
14:17Come on.
14:18Blending the Turner.
14:19It's been quite the experience.
14:23Him and I get along extremely well.
14:26Good boy.
14:27He's such a smart dog and he's forever watching me even when I haven't got his attention.
14:33If I could have a man that looks at me the way Turner does, I'd feel so loved.
14:38That would be the best feeling.
14:42Drought.
14:43It's really hitting us hard now.
14:45Having Turner really helped me get through this.
14:49Tongue outside.
14:53The first session working in the round yard with the sheep.
14:56Hclock.
14:57That's when I knew I had a whole lot of dog on my hands.
15:01Stop.
15:02I need to breathe.
15:04So we had to tame that down a little bit and have him respecting the sheep.
15:12We got to that point where we had a round and back and a stop and sit and worked a
15:18little
15:19bit on our walk up but since then he's progressed really well and I'm pretty
15:26lucky I just think he's my one-in-a-million dog playmate right back
15:34holding back the nerves shady Jane sends Turner out scooping up the sheep and
15:46then getting them through the markers is job number one stop stop back back they'll
15:56then be assessed on how cleanly they make it through the figure eight round stop
16:01look up stop and then finally how the animals are pinned it's a beautiful run
16:12from shady Jane and Turner who have set the benchmark very very high yeah we got
16:22him through the gate and he was so happy and he could tell I was more relaxed and
16:27he was bouncing around and I couldn't be any more proud of us in the sheep
16:32assessment hopefully we get a win in it Sam and captain are next on deck the big collie
16:46has struggled to get sheep moving in the past but today he blasts out into the
16:52paddock firmly establishing his presence maybe too firmly at times
16:59control your dog I thought you said this dog had trouble pushy but despite some
17:04early wobbles Sam quickly recovers steady sit oh good job yes sit back back back back
17:19there's a few hiccups in Max and Roxy's run and walk backwards maxi ball way round sit with Roxy
17:28failing to sit at the gate and crossing the no-go line into the pen oh bugger back sit sit
17:37Alfie sit sit
17:46oh oh no once the little black and tan kelpie decides that chasing sheep is far
17:53more entertaining than herding them you had a lot of fun didn't you bad luck mate you and your sheep
18:00blossom come with me stop breathe you're nervous trying to Courtney and
18:08blossom at the next to step up they're through the markers much faster than the
18:20previous participants and their figure eight is almost flawless when he's got
18:29nice timing with her stock he's nice and tightening pegs to everybody guys stop
18:34around blossom come around stop stop after a very tidy pen up it looks like Courtney and
18:42blossoms run will be hard to beat so she'd be pretty happy with that should be oh she should
18:47be pretty happy with that well done yeah I kind of I went into the shape thing you know this
18:55is
18:55something I know this will be fine but then again like the pressure and the nerves of the
18:59competition got me a bit but I think we did really good well hopefully stay it's now up to Ian
19:09and
19:09Booramah to see if they too can raise the okay no more animal puns I promise stay no I didn't
19:18tell you
19:18to go come back here sit you know how people say they are quietly confident with things I'm quietly
19:26crapping myself is basically what it comes down to so about to walk out there and put myself on display
19:32and we'll see what it looks like at the end and I have thought you know if everything goes pear
19:37shaped I
19:37can always just find bye bye little man what are you doing okay Booramah let's go time to go to
19:53work
19:53Booramah is a very exuberant dog he loves life he is very busy he's investigative Booramah he likes to
20:04know what's happening where things are he has some bad habits on occasion so yeah yeah I've learned
20:23to take a lot of deep breaths but the moment he is around sheep there you go he's switched on
20:32so he
20:33really does enjoy his work it's just making sure that he stays off the sheep far enough that'll do
20:40oh good boy you know tip all of that out everywhere he's come a long way to where he is
20:46now and what
20:47he can do so I think that Booramah's made a huge amount of progress but I think I've made a
20:52fair bit
20:52of progress too lucky that you're a good-looking dog because if you get this all wrong it might have
20:56some other options when you're ready bye here we go the cast looks good oh look at this look at
21:12him go
21:13hey hey what a cast for a character beautiful pull up sit Booramah over although Booramah's a bit
21:24too keen to get them moving there's no pulling up from here though no pulling up from here come in
21:29and bombed him yeah I said bomb them at the end of the gas let's get a bit of movement
21:34yeah over over over
21:38over sit sit sit sit sit just sit oh come here yeah come on Booramah sit sit Ian soon has
21:47the mob
21:47under control again good boy got things back on track now but after their enthusiastic start
21:53bringing home the win on this task will take a miracle steady sit steady open sesame
22:10a gust from the heavens have given the duo a clean run into the pens mate the gods are shining
22:17on you
22:19well done mate thank you thank you thank you thank you but as the judges results are revealed
22:27very good all right very good very good it's actually Courtney and Blossom who have ascended
22:34to the top of the leaderboard with the cleanest run and best stockmanship but there's still two more
22:42challenges to go and if our participants thought the last one was tricky the next one will really
22:49get up their goat challenge number two is the goat run where six markers have been arranged into a
22:58narrow corridor in the stockyards the participants need to use their dogs to shepherd the goats through
23:05the corridor keeping the mob tight and contained in the process because if one of them decides to
23:12sneak around a marker instead of through them it's a fail but if they have a clean run they'll head
23:21around again with the distance between the markers narrowing each run whoever completes the most laps
23:30through the ever narrowing corridor will be the winner Alfie this time it's going to be Rex and Alfie as
23:39the first team to give it a go smell those goats over there couldn't you go hard Rick but Alfie
23:45and
23:45goats have a somewhat bumpy history Alfie to me Alfie has a very unique personality she's very cheeky she's
23:58very mischievous hey she is this independent power dog she's not afraid of anything hey she knows how
24:09to push the limits and she knows what she can get away with Alfie you always causing trouble but being
24:18a bit
24:18physical with the goats at times it kind of resulted in them being very flighty around her you tell that
24:23it's okay so we had to move on to the wieners and once we moved on to them she learned
24:27that there are
24:28consequences if you dive in for a hock or a leg that she is such a quick learner it puts
24:35a bit of
24:35pressure on me to try to keep things engaging and keep things challenging for her but we do have a
24:41lot
24:41of love for each other yeah I mean she shows it in her own way but I guess that's the
24:48way it is
24:56the goat run lap one take it on now Rex needs to first lead the goats around the outside of
25:04the
25:04obstacles in order to then take them through the middle however Alfie is again applying far too
25:12much pressure I was hoping she would have got a lot of her energy out with the sheep but she
25:17was
25:17just having one of those days where she was gonna go hard regardless I've never seen this dog do this
25:24like if anything we couldn't get her to get them moving and I thought all right I just got to
25:30get
25:31them in a line and I got to get them through and if they start moving she's gonna push them
25:36fast so I
25:36got to get get my running shoes on I know it's intense folks see and then everyone started
25:56cheering and like everyone was going crazy for me I really felt the love it was really like a bonding
26:04moment what do you think was that good was that good Shady Jane and Turner are up next despite lining
26:15up the corridor perfectly the goats threatened to spill but with some quick thinking and fast commands
26:24they're through with the remaining teams of Sam and Captain Ian and Burma Courtney and Blossom and then
26:37finally Max and Roxy all managing to survive their first lap as well it's time to turn up the heat
26:51you
26:51want to handle that one the lap to the gap between the markers is now a lot tighter down slow
27:04down
27:04that's it see everything down seats Elfie see it through sheer determination and some smart body
27:14positioning Rex gets it done one by one each of the remaining participants eventually makes it
27:30through their second life but on the third things start to get interesting see both the corridor and
27:40the margin for error and the margin for error are even thinner to get through this time Rex knows he
27:46will need to get Alfie under control but with all this pressure the goats eventually spill stop see
28:07baby baby sit on my uh sugar stick Shady Jane and Turner line the mob up perfectly back round stop
28:19back but
28:20one little red goat has other ideas sneaky red ones and they soon join Rex and Alfie on the
28:30bench a bloody red one I know steadying the ship Sam and Captain are next up sit this guy's mr.
28:41smooth he is look at that he's got all these goats in a row
28:45shut shut over nice and fast and are the first team to make it through lap three
28:59hot on their tails Ian and Burma are also having an excellent run sit sit over sit just sneaking inside
29:09the last marker
29:13minute focus good boy excellent good boy is this one good boy come here good boy good boy good boy
29:16come here aseguraLison stop around stop stop around stop over stop around
29:21Even though there is a couple of close Gonz Maurice- queen over Stop over over stop over stop overaczyные
29:24Stop versions of israelis stop around around brown stop weeks and Мосag Sun Glory 30
29:27stop around around she and blossom are also into the next round piling on the pressure for our most inexperienced
29:33participant Max
29:38He's a little flustered as they enter the corridor, but luckily Roxy's
29:49instinct takes over, carrying them across the finish line.
29:59With four participants still remaining, it looks like we're going around again.
30:06With the markers now just over a metre apart, it's going to take precision, timing and movement
30:12to get these six goats through them.
30:16But if anyone can manage it, it's Sam and Cap...
30:20Oh no, they're going to.
30:26Ian and Booramah's turn.
30:31They take the slow and steady approach.
30:35Over, over, over, over!
30:37They also can't get into the entrance way.
30:40So it's game over for the principal and his furry principal.
30:46So close.
30:47Good boy.
30:48Sit.
30:50There.
30:50There.
30:51It's another smooth start for Courtney.
30:54Over.
30:54Over.
30:55But when it comes to goats, things can change quickly.
30:59Stop.
30:59Stop.
31:00Around.
31:01Oh!
31:05That worked!
31:06I can't believe it!
31:07I can't believe it!
31:09Which just leaves Max and Roxy.
31:11Come on, Max!
31:12Come on, Max!
31:14Having come into the competition with no previous working dog exposure whatsoever, this could
31:21be a huge step towards becoming the champion muster dog team.
31:32Roxy, here!
31:33Here!
31:34Roxy.
31:35She's a very strong, independent female, I think.
31:37She doesn't look up to me for a lot of guidance.
31:40She thinks she knows what to do all the time.
31:42Yeah, she's like a really big star.
31:44She's just very, like, serious and ready for business, I guess.
31:47Yeah!
31:49She's full of desire, but just lacking a bit of discipline.
31:52Yeah!
31:53You're a troublemaker, aren't you?
31:55Who?
31:57And then one day I was out in the paddock, and she just went straight back to her old
32:01habits and started chasing this little wiener through the fence, and all the wires came
32:05back, and she got a big electric shock.
32:07Pretty much since that day, her whole attitude around cattle has completely changed.
32:12It's just been a little hurdle, but I think she's going to overcome it.
32:16I think she's a pretty tough girl.
32:18Where the bloody hell have you been, Roxy?
32:22Round, round, round!
32:25Yeah, like, we've come a long way in the last three or four months, so...
32:27Good girl!
32:29Yeah, we'll see how we go.
32:30We'll see how we go.
32:36Rhythm and melody.
32:39Set!
32:40Keep it off them!
32:42Talk to her!
32:43If Max and Roxy can just find a way through the markers one last time,
32:48they'll be declared the winner of challenge number two.
32:52Sit!
32:52No pressure, Max!
32:56Back!
32:56Stop it!
32:58Round!
32:59Sit!
32:59Stop it!
33:00Go!
33:01Round, round, round, round!
33:03Round!
33:04Back, back, back, back, back!
33:05Sit!
33:06Sit!
33:07Yes, guys!
33:08Yes!
33:10Woohoo!
33:12The goat header!
33:14That'll do!
33:15That'll do!
33:18Roxy!
33:24Good girl!
33:26Oh, my God!
33:28Good girl, Rox!
33:29Yeah, I still can't believe it, to be honest.
33:31Going into it, I thought, oh, it's probably just going to be the luck of the draw, you know,
33:34whoever gets a bad run or a good run, and maybe that's what happened.
33:39But I just had to go for it and came out on top.
33:43Back!
33:44Round!
33:45I just had a lot of doubt that I was going to be able to, well, not fix her, but
33:48fix me.
33:50But I just worked at it and then started clicking it.
33:53And everyone's seen the journey I've been on, and I think it meant a lot to everyone.
33:57Well done, mate.
33:58You've done it.
33:58You've done it.
33:59And I've ridden the waves with Max and seen him struggle at times.
34:03Cool, calm and composed.
34:05It's a real journey and lots of ups and downs.
34:07Good job, Roxy.
34:09Sit.
34:09Max has put in a tonne of work.
34:12We've seen his confidence grow, and that's then mirrored by the dog.
34:17Yeah, very proud of Max.
34:21Having completed four nail-biting and unbeaten laps with the goats, Max and Roxy are the outright
34:28winners of challenge number two.
34:30Well done, Max.
34:31Thanks, Alan.
34:31Congratulations.
34:32But with the cattle run still to go, there's plenty of competition nipping at their heels.
34:39For the third and final challenge, the participants will need to cast their dogs from a fixed marker
34:46in the paddock.
34:47Once they have the mob, there are three obstacles to lead them through.
34:52First, the centre posts.
34:54Sit.
34:55Then a tightly spaced cattle barrier.
34:58And finally, a paddock gate.
35:01Whoever has the best stockmanship and gets the most flow going will be declared the winner.
35:07But for one of the participants, there's also another obstacle to overcome.
35:14Yeah, so cows, unfortunately, they are still scary to me.
35:19So, kind of wanted to go first and just get it over and done with.
35:23But no going to be in last.
35:27You got this, Sam.
35:29Hi, mate.
35:29Hi, Sam.
35:29Come on, Sam.
35:30Good job, Sam.
35:31Good luck, Sam.
35:32You can do it.
35:34First up is Sam and Captain, widely considered among the participants to be the competition
35:40favourites.
35:42Here comes the dark horse.
35:44Yeah.
35:44The last 12 months have had a lot of ups and downs, but after performing strongly across
35:50the previous challenges, a first place on the cattle could be a game changer.
35:56Way over.
35:57Way over.
35:57Way over.
35:58Way over.
36:03So, we got Captain home and fell in love with him straight away.
36:06He's such a sweet and gentle dog and got such character about him.
36:10And he's so good with the kids.
36:11Very gentle.
36:12What's he doing to you?
36:13He's been by my side every day.
36:15It's not for you today, is it?
36:16It's warming up to it, eh?
36:17Just a good companion.
36:19Bit fun with the other dogs, isn't it?
36:21I'd describe Captain, he's a bit of a goof, but as soon as we're out working, he's switched
36:26on.
36:26He's looking around, ready for business.
36:29Go back.
36:30Back.
36:31Back.
36:31Captain is a lot more reserved on the stock than any of my other dogs.
36:37So, Mick taught me how I can be building that presence with Captain and get him to come
36:42in and get a bit more excited when he needs to on the sheet.
36:45Sit.
36:47Sit.
36:48That's it?
36:49No.
36:50Pat again?
36:51I'm here.
36:51I definitely fell behind with the dog training, but once I got back on my feet, he switched
36:57on and he's come a long way.
36:59So, yeah, he really impressed me.
37:01Go back.
37:02Sit.
37:03Sit.
37:04Well done.
37:05Every day he's better and better and I think I improve along with him.
37:09So, no, I'm looking forward to the finale.
37:15Get over.
37:16Way over.
37:16Here we go.
37:18Way over.
37:19Let him go.
37:20Way over.
37:21Way over.
37:24Sit.
37:26Good skills, mate.
37:27Awesome.
37:28Push him up.
37:29Over.
37:30Beautiful job.
37:31Yeah, very nice.
37:32Get over.
37:33Dog's probably used to balancing up to him because he's been on crashes for three years.
37:37Good boy.
37:38Get over.
37:38They're through the markers.
37:40Yeah.
37:41Read any stock well?
37:42Yep.
37:43Yep.
37:44Now the barriers.
37:46Over.
37:47Over.
37:48Get over.
37:49Push him up.
37:50Nice work.
37:51Good boy.
37:51Nice work.
37:53Very nice work.
37:54Sit.
37:55He's a stylish little dog.
37:57With their usual cool-headedness.
38:00Stay.
38:01Sam and Captain have turned in a very strong run on the cattle.
38:06Well done, mate.
38:07Fantastic.
38:08And in doing so, have raised the stakes for everyone else.
38:12Good boy.
38:14Smashed it.
38:15That was a tidy run.
38:16That was a tidy run.
38:17Very.
38:18You got this, mate.
38:20Brimming with confidence after taking out the last challenge.
38:23Keep going, mate.
38:24Keep going.
38:25Keep going.
38:26Max and Roxy are in full control.
38:29Brown.
38:30Brown.
38:31Brown.
38:31Good girl, Roxy.
38:32Good girl.
38:33Brown.
38:33Yes.
38:35Well done, mate.
38:37Good girl.
38:38Back.
38:39Sit.
38:40Back.
38:40She's not upsetting that much, though.
38:42Oh, yeah.
38:43Oh, shit.
38:44Sorry.
38:45Good commentary there.
38:46No longer the wide-eyed rookie with a talented but untrained Kelpie, they're now working the cattle
38:53like seasoned pros.
38:55Yeah.
38:57Well done, mate.
38:59That'll do, Roxy.
39:00That'll do.
39:01Good girl.
39:03Good girl.
39:05You got this, hey?
39:06Good girl.
39:07Shady Jane and Turner.
39:09They've been doing beautifully today.
39:11Try to the peg.
39:12Yeah, more to the peg.
39:13More to the peg.
39:14Why is she not on the peg?
39:16This time, however, there's a bit of a mix-up at the starting point.
39:21She didn't get to the marker.
39:23Oh, she just made it hard for her not being on the peg.
39:27Oh, my God.
39:28I forgot.
39:29I actually had to go to a marker and I probably gained a few extra metres on the cast there
39:34for the poor bugger.
39:36She's falling short.
39:39Right round.
39:40So he's cut short on the cast.
39:43Right round.
39:44And then nerves kicked in for me for a little bit.
39:47Round.
39:47Round.
39:48Good boy.
39:50Get him.
39:51Get him.
39:52Get him.
39:52Get him, mate.
39:53Get him.
39:54Good boy.
39:55There we go.
39:57There we go.
39:58Good boy.
40:00But then I was also proud of myself that I could get him round without crossing over
40:06and put him back around where he needed to be.
40:09So once he did that, I was really happy then.
40:13Yeah.
40:15Come on, Rex.
40:18After Alfie's performance on the previous two challenges, Rex is in need of a win.
40:24Good girl.
40:25Good girl.
40:26So you've had the pep talk with Rex here every journey?
40:29No, I don't have to.
40:30He knows.
40:31He knows.
40:33Yeah, after everything happened with the sheep and the goats, I was still very confident
40:37in her because I had seen her do it.
40:39And I was confident that she was going to do the right thing eventually.
40:43And Joanie was like, yeah, just be a goldfish, you know, forget about it.
40:46That's in the past.
40:48Move on to the next thing.
40:49And that's what we did.
40:51Yeah.
40:51Yeah.
40:52See you.
40:53Over.
40:54Over.
40:56Uh oh.
40:58We've got a drifter.
40:59We've got a drifter.
40:59Alfie to me.
41:01Oh.
41:01Wide cast.
41:02When Alfie starts to head off in the wrong direction.
41:05She's seen all them out there, I'd say.
41:08I saw the cattle next door and thought I might go get him.
41:12Everyone expects the worst.
41:16Alfie to me.
41:17To me.
41:18Over.
41:22So, yeah, there was a small hiccup at the start where she went to go for a really wide cast
41:27and got a little bit distracted.
41:30But, you know, other than that, I think she's a really good dog and I've put in all the work
41:35and it's time to show her.
41:38To me.
41:40Good girl.
41:43Go back, go back.
41:44Yay!
41:46Sorry.
41:48Go back, go back.
41:50Go back.
41:50In the sheep and the goats.
41:52Good work.
41:53Obviously, Rex, you know, that he had a very slow start.
41:57Sit.
41:57Sit.
41:58It's the first time I've ever seen the dog overwork.
42:01Sit.
42:02So it's incredible for him to get all the way through.
42:05And I'm just so proud of them.
42:06It's amazing because he's overcoming his own battles too.
42:10Bye.
42:11Here we go.
42:12Beautiful.
42:12Coming in hot, Ian and Booruma are not out of the race yet.
42:17Put him up.
42:18Get him, Booruma.
42:19Oh, he's under the bar.
42:20That's the winner right there, people.
42:21We don't have to do any more.
42:23I mean, beautiful.
42:24For a pup not normally known for subtlety.
42:27Over.
42:27Over.
42:28Put him in.
42:29Put him in, Booruma.
42:30This is a superbly controlled run.
42:33Put him up.
42:33Get hold of him, Booruma.
42:34Good job, Ian.
42:35Take a breath.
42:36Awesome.
42:37Good job, Ian.
42:37And it's put them in a very strong position for champion.
42:41Very good.
42:42I pity the judges.
42:45Good when they do a near perfect run, isn't it?
42:49Yeah, yeah.
42:50Courtney.
42:51Alrighty, huh?
42:52Watch out.
42:53Good luck.
42:54After an anxious wait, it's now Courtney and Blossom's turn.
42:59Yeah, it's time for the cattle task.
43:02A bit scared about getting in the yards with them
43:05and feeling very...
43:07I'm feeling very nervous.
43:09Um, but, yeah.
43:10Just go get it over and done with.
43:14Gosh, everyone's gonna think I'm such, like, a weak,
43:16little skeety cat.
43:19Do it for Blossom!
43:20Yeah.
43:25Wait.
43:27Breathe.
43:28Just breathe.
43:34Hey, puppy!
43:36Hey, I'm leading you.
43:38In the beginning, I was intimidated about how strong Blossom was.
43:41You just wanna work.
43:42I didn't know if I could handle a lot of it.
43:45Oh, no!
43:46I do like to joke and say I've got myself a black and white kelpie.
43:50She has to sniff every smell.
43:52She has to look at every sound.
43:54When she's not working, she's extremely jealous.
43:56And once she's doing a job, she's smooth and she's on the ball
44:01and you'd never guess.
44:03She's got her own idea of how things should go
44:05and I think I feel like I'm just acting like I'm the one controlling it.
44:11All right.
44:12Hit it, toots.
44:12Bloss, come.
44:13Over.
44:14See?
44:15Patience.
44:16That's okay.
44:16I'll just change my whole character in order to turn it off.
44:20Yeah, I've learnt to just trust her and work with her as a team.
44:25Good girl.
44:27She's really taught me more than any trainer can teach me, so it's great.
44:36Stop.
44:37Come.
44:37Stop.
44:38I bet you she's feeling real nervous.
44:40Oh, she'll be jelly.
44:41She'll be jelly right now.
44:44Around.
44:47Around.
44:48Around.
44:49Around.
44:52She's even got whistles going on.
44:54That was perfect.
44:55Steady.
44:56Stop.
44:57Beautiful.
44:58Yes.
44:59Eww.
45:00Oh, that's going to be hard to beat.
45:02Cattle are nice and calm.
45:04Tell you what, if they walk through here, she's going to be home quick.
45:06Blossom, over.
45:07Watching Blossom expertly weave through the obstacles.
45:11Got a very good flow.
45:12Very good.
45:13It's easy to forget just how far Courtney has come.
45:18Stop.
45:18Stop.
45:19Stop.
45:19Just a few months ago, she was too scared to even approach a cow.
45:24Gee, Mick, I think she might have beat you in the demo.
45:27Yep.
45:30Now, she has calmly and confidently brought in an entire mob of them.
45:35Yay!
45:36That's enough.
45:37Good job.
45:40Good job.
45:41Good job.
45:43Hey, thank you for listening to me.
45:45Completing a year-long transformation from City Girl...
45:49...into a better stock woman.
45:53Yes.
45:55Done.
45:57How does breathing work?
45:59I've forgotten.
46:01Congratulations, eh?
46:03That was amazing.
46:05I just cannot believe that I made it.
46:07I was just trying to breathe and not pass out, to be honest.
46:11Well done.
46:12Congratulations, Courtney.
46:13Good job.
46:14I just had to block everything out.
46:15I couldn't even hear anybody.
46:17But, yeah, I'm so proud of Blossom that I was able to stay with her.
46:21But I think moving the cattle and having that sense and keeping them calm must have been
46:27all Blossom because I was not calm.
46:29You can now have your big sigh of relief.
46:32Yeah.
46:32Done for the day.
46:33With all of the participants excelling on cattle...
46:35That's pretty darn good.
46:37..the judges now have the difficult task of deciding who had the best stockmanship,
46:42control and flow.
46:49Meanwhile, mentor Joni has had to make a tough decision of her own due to work commitments
46:56back home.
46:57What the hell's going on now?
46:58Unfortunately for the WA team, I can't really stay around.
47:02I feel a bit emotional, actually.
47:05I just want to wish everybody the best of luck.
47:09Everyone deserves to be here.
47:11I'm just super, super proud of everyone.
47:14Like, it has just been such a rollercoaster.
47:16And it'll be very tight.
47:18I wouldn't, yeah, I wouldn't want to be a judge judging it.
47:22Going good, Sam?
47:23Anyone's game?
47:25Yeah, we've seen these beginner handlers pretty much do a job as good as experienced handlers.
47:29Yeah, you did.
47:30You made it sound like it was going to be like cows flying over the feet.
47:34It was just a super, super effort from all of them to be able to prove that they can learn
47:38in 12 months how to train a dog to do that job.
47:41To get a dog doing what them dogs were doing at a 12-month age, it's quite incredible.
47:46Come on, mate.
47:47Well done, team.
47:48Probably the biggest takeaway from this is that it doesn't matter where you start from,
47:53things aren't going to go your way all the way through.
47:56But if you just embrace the experience and enjoy the company of your dog and working with your dog,
48:04you'll get there in the end.
48:06Rightio, let's do it, eh?
48:07So, probably the thing I'm most proud about is how all the participants have all really struggled at some stage.
48:16Anyone?
48:16That was amazing.
48:18Very good to see.
48:19And have come through and have picked themselves up and have become great dog handlers.
48:28Alfie, Blossom, Burruma, Captain, Roxy and Turner have now officially graduated from the Mustardogs training program.
48:39Woohoo!
48:41Hey, Burruma!
48:42But there's still the business of picking a champion to attend to.
48:46So, let's hear what the judges have got to say about all this.
48:50The moment we've all been waiting for.
48:52Done!
48:53I think you did it better.
48:54Better, yeah.
48:56OK.
48:57You should be all very proud of the results of each separate task.
49:04We've judged you on a set criteria against each assessment
49:08and your performances have been very tight.
49:14Burruma.
49:15Who was that?
49:16Which dog was that?
49:17Burruma, don't do that to me again.
49:22Sorry.
49:25Burruma.
49:27OK.
49:27The highest performing dog and handler in the sheep assessment was Blossom and Courtney.
49:38Please step forward.
49:41Yay, we can do sheep!
49:46Obviously, the goat challenge was unreal.
49:49But to be a newbie and come all the way through, it's outstanding.
49:54Well done.
49:55Well done, buddy.
49:55So, Roxy and Max were spectacular winners of the goat section.
50:01Yay!
50:05Please step forward.
50:06The goat guru!
50:10You are the goat.
50:11Well done, mate.
50:12Awesome.
50:13Thanks for that, Jo.
50:14Cheers, mate.
50:14So, with two challenge winners revealed, it now comes down to the very tightly contested
50:21cattle assessment.
50:23So, the highest performer in the cattle section was Blossom and Courtney.
50:34Well deserved.
50:35So, I'm pleased to hand over the baton of champion muster dog and handler to Blossom and Courtney.
50:53Oh, thank you.
50:55With the most outstanding performance in two out of three assessment challenges, Courtney
51:01and Blossom have been declared this year's champions.
51:05Thank you so much.
51:06Well done.
51:07Congratulations.
51:07I'm shaking.
51:08Well done, girl.
51:10Thanks, Jo.
51:11Thanks, Jo.
51:14Thank you so much.
51:15Roxy just came out and took me out.
51:17I was not surprised one bit with Courtney taking out the championships.
51:21Just being around her and the way she talks about dog training, you can tell she has a
51:24lot of passion and love for it and it definitely shines through in the way she works the dogs.
51:29So, yeah, she's well-deserved winner, that's for sure.
51:32Congratulations, Sam.
51:33I thought you were there, mate.
51:33I think it couldn't have gone any other way.
51:36Courtney worked so beautifully with Blossom and was able to make things happen so well
51:41and she completely deserved that.
51:43Worm up.
51:44Come on.
51:45I thought it was fantastic.
51:47Courtney had been a bit of an upset on the cattle seeing as she doesn't like them.
51:54So, I'm really proud that she'd done really good with the cattle.
51:58So, she can be a cattle muster and that got us through.
52:05It's unfortunate that Courtney's mentor, Joanie, couldn't be here for the presentation.
52:11But luckily, news travels fast.
52:15Hello.
52:16Hi, Joanie.
52:19I'm going really good considering we won.
52:22We won season four.
52:24What's the best?
52:26Thank you so much for all of your help and knowledge and for holding me down when I wanted to
52:32run.
52:34You're stronger than you look.
52:36You deserve every bit of it.
52:38You definitely put the miles in and you showed a lot of commitments that wouldn't be easy with having two
52:43kids.
52:44Yeah.
52:44You know, so...
52:45I'm so, so proud of Courtney and Blossom.
52:49So, so proud.
52:50Like, you see how she's got to address all these ones here.
52:53Yeah.
52:53In the last, last 12 months.
52:55They've really touched my heart.
52:58Like, I've been a participant before.
53:01And it's nerve-racking.
53:02And there's a lot of pressure.
53:04Walking.
53:05So, with Courtney and Blossom, just absolutely smoking it with the sheep and cattle.
53:11Stop.
53:12Wait.
53:13Good dog.
53:14Good.
53:14Yeah.
53:15Yeah.
53:16That's amazing.
53:18Oh, I'm so proud of you.
53:19Bye.
53:20See ya.
53:22Being crowned champion muster dog handler means the world to me.
53:27But I'm very shocked.
53:30I'm still trying to, like, process it.
53:32But, um, this is just the beginning for Blossom and I.
53:36Like, we've got so much more to learn.
53:39And so many more experiences to have.
53:41It's gonna be a hell of a journey.
53:42And we're, I'm excited to have it, do it with Blossom.
53:45How the hell did you win?
53:48How the hell did you win?
53:53It was worth the trip, Courtney.
53:55It was worth the trip.
53:56It was worth the 4,000 Ks.
54:00Yeah.
54:04Over.
54:05Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick.
54:08Blossom.
54:08Over.
54:09Good girl.
54:12Good dog.
54:13She's got no quit in her, that dog.
54:16And just come here and made me very proud.
54:18Good dog.
54:19Lovely dog.
54:21I remember when I got her and I brought her home and I just thought,
54:24okay, that's a special dog.
54:25Just the stuff she was able to do at such a young age.
54:28You know, very intense.
54:30Like, we all knew she was an intense dog.
54:32But, yeah, her stock sense and her skill is just amazing.
54:37Blossom.
54:38Over.
54:41Around.
54:42Good girl.
54:42And yeah, it's great that we've won.
54:44Steady.
54:45That's it.
54:45But it definitely wasn't easy and we had a lot of ups and downs.
54:50Especially with the kids.
54:54The challenge of where to split my time and my attention.
54:59It was, um, a lot of mum guilt.
55:07But I'm proud of what I'll be able to show my kids.
55:10And especially my daughter.
55:15Um, because she has an option to stay and work on the land.
55:19And I think it's really important.
55:21She can see that she can do it.
55:26There's not a lot of women that come from the town or anything like that.
55:31And then take on this challenge of learning to run a farm and be involved, you know.
55:37So, yeah, I just want to be a good role model for my kids.
55:42And I want to get involved and, like, have that connection with my husband.
55:46And it's something we can do together.
55:49And I won't see the farm as something holding me back or holding me in one place.
55:54I'll see it as a home.
55:56Yeah.
56:07For all the participants, it's the end of a long few days.
56:11And an even longer year.
56:13Don't get too happy, Burma.
56:16Tomorrow, they'll each be heading home.
56:18And for the most part, life on the land, as farmers, food producers and school principals,
56:27will continue on as it always has.
56:30The kids at school will probably give me a hard time for not winning.
56:35But that's all good.
56:36For me, it was about having a go.
56:38So, yeah, as long as I can see that, you know, put himself in there.
56:41Had a crack at it.
56:42Didn't do too badly for an old bloke.
56:45So, can an old dog learn new tricks?
56:47Absolutely, they can.
56:49But, yeah, I'll probably get a bit of a ribbing for a while, but that's fine.
56:54You being a fool.
56:55Yeah, it's been a difficult year.
56:58But, yeah, I'm definitely very proud of myself.
57:00I'm very proud of Alfie.
57:02And like Ted says in Ted Lasso, I never concern myself with winning or losing.
57:06I want each of these people to be the best person that they can be.
57:09And that's exactly how I see my journey training dogs.
57:12It's about Alfie being the best dog that she can be.
57:14This is Captain's brother.
57:18Tana's come through this like an absolute trooper.
57:21And I'm so proud of us, honestly.
57:25And I'm incredibly proud of what he has achieved and what we've also accomplished together.
57:33I guess before I started the journey, yeah, I was just a clueless fool walking around with a dog and
57:40a couple of sheep pretty much.
57:41I didn't really know what I was doing.
57:42So, yeah, we've come a long way, that's for sure.
57:46Oh, he's going to say hello to Blossom now.
57:49Yeah, I'm really glad to be in this industry working alongside these other amazing people that want great dogs and
57:57calm stock.
57:59We're there to care for animals, not mistreat them.
58:03We've got a brilliant dog and I wanted to make him proud.
58:06And yeah, it's been really good.
58:08Yeah.
58:09Blossom, don't eat the flags.
58:11Don't eat them.
58:12We've all worked so hard.
58:14We've all had challenges to be where we are.
58:16And honestly, if I could share the win and we could have everybody that won Muscle Dogs, I would.
58:21They're incredible people, incredible lifelong friends now as well.
58:25So, it's, you know, changing me for the better, definitely.
58:29So is Blossom.
58:30Ooh.
58:32Ooh.
58:34Ooh.
58:47Ooh.
58:48Ooh.
58:49Ooh.
58:51Ooh.
58:52Ooh.
58:53Ooh.
58:53Ooh.
58:54Ooh.
58:54Ooh.
58:54Ooh.
58:55Ooh.
58:56Ooh.
58:57Ooh.
58:57Ooh.
58:57Ooh.
58:59Ooh.
Comments