CAPREE KELPIE STUD

One of the more notable Studs in recent years is Capree, run by Chris Stapleton of Burraga, near Bathurst, NSW. No other Stud in recent years has so dominated the breeding of Kelpies. Chris had worked for many years as a stockman and a breeder of stock horses. It was in 1985 that he first really came to the notice of Kelpie breeders around Australia when he won the National Kelpie Trial at Gulgong in NSW. He won with a dog of his own breeding called, Capree Jag.

During the next five or six years he completely dominated the very popular Yard Dog Trials in Australia, winning and placing in most events he participated in. His most famous Kelpie was Capree Watch. Capree Watch was by Avenpart Zondo and from Glenlogie Lucky, who in turn was by Barambogie Mack. The breeding of Capree Watch is featured in a high percentage of Kelpies used in Yard and Utility Trials today including Milburn Basil and Karana Seiko.

Glenlogie Lucky was one of Chris's favourite Kelpies. Lucky didn't start to work until she was eighteen months old and was passed from one handler to another. She was originally owned by the late Jack Body of the Glenlogie Stud and then passed onto Steve Weyman. Steve didn't do much with her and decided to sell her to Chris Stapleton. Within a short period she was one of the best known Kelpies in Australia. Her ability had not gone unnoticed. By 1989, Chris was no longer taking any orders for her puppies as they were all booked for many more years than she could possibly live. At one stage Chris was offered $20,000 for her, which he refused.

Capree Action, Glenlogie Lucky, Capree Zap are all by Barambogie Mack.

CAPREE AND THE NATIONAL KELPIE TRIALS

Glenlogie Lucky won the 1989 National Kelpie Trial at Bairnsdale in Victoria. At the same trial in the Open Championship, two more Kelpies of his breeding also placed. Capree Shep in 5th place and Capree Tex in 6th place. The Novice was completely blitzed by the Capree Kelpies with them taking out every place. 1st was Capree Pinky, 2nd was Capree Shep, 3rd was Glenlogie Lucky, 4th was Capree Watch and 5th was Capree Zip. Capree Watch twice scored a perfect yard score at this trial.

The 1988 National Kelpie Trial had Capree Tex take 2nd place, Capree Action in 3rd place. 1993 and once again the Capree Kelpies dominated the National Kelpie Trial with Capree Watch taking the honours. The next year (1994) had Jim Luce win the National Kelpie Trial working Capree Minute. !995 was once again won by Jim Luce, this time he was working Capree Rex. The 1996 trial had Karana Seiko take the title. Seiko was sired by Capree Watch. The 1997 National Kelpie Trial held in Tasmania was won by Jim Luce working Capree Minute and Capree Jim was 3rd. In 1988, Capree Rex won the Scanlon award for best cast, lift and draw.

For six years Kelpies owned or bred by Capree stud won the award for the highest score in the National kelpie Trial. They also won highest scoring Novice dog three times. For five years Capree Kelpies won the award for best yard work. Capree Tex won the fastest time award in 1992. The stud even won the award for best type Kelpie on two occasions. Capree Zap, owned by UD Stud in 1987 and Capree Sophie, owned by Sherwood Stud in 1990. Capree Zap was later sold by the UD Stud for $7000 to the USA.

CAPREE AND STATE YARD DOG CHAMPIONSHIPS

Capree Sledge was the 1992 South Australian State Yard Dog Champion, owned by Lyndon Cooper. Capree Sledge also won the title in 1996. Glenlogie Lucky was the 1986 NSW State Yard Dog Champion and won the title once again in 1988. In 1990, Chris Stapleton again won the NSW State Yard Dog Championship, this time with Joes Pride. The 1992 event was won by Capree Minute, owned by the Coogee Stud. Chris again won it himself in 1993 with Capree Target.

CAPREE AND AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL YARD DOG CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 1985 Australian National Yard Dog Championship was won by Chris with Glenlogie Lucky. The following year, in 1986, Glenlogie Lucky once again took out this top award for the whole of Australia. In 1990, Chris got 2nd place with Joes Pride, 4th with Glenlogie Lucky and also had one of his breeding placed in the Improver with Capree Minute worked by Jim Luce.

In 1990, Glenlogie Lucky won the Australasian Yard Trial held in South Australia. The Capree Stud also won the Novice with Capree Jean. In 1991 Chris was in top form and once again won the Australian Championship with Capree Watch. The same year he also took 7th place with Joes Pride. Capree Pinky was 3rd in the Improvers.

In 1992, he came 2nd in the Australian Championship with Capree Watch. There are far too many wins with Capree Kelpies to list them all here. Capree Kelpies these days are used as breeding stock in Studs all over Australia and there are very few major trials where there are no Capree dogs competing.

These days, it looks like Capree Pinky is the one to watch. She won the National Kelpie Utility Trial in Western Australia and not long after I had the pleasure to see her work at the National field Days Utility Trial in October 1999.

I was standing talking to well known trialist Bill Luff (Cotway Kelpies) when Chris and Capree Pinky came out to make their run. Capree Pinky was doing a great job on the small mob in the paddock, I think there were sixteen sheep and then she also put up a very good performance in the yard section. She was very stylish and covering the sheep well. Bill Luff was standing with us and mentioned that Pinky had just won the National Kelpie Trial in Western Australia but he hadn't seen her work and didn't know her pedigree. After a minute or two he said " No wonder she won the National". Bill was very impressed with her work.

Chris was on the last leg of the trial where he had to take five sheep away from the yard to the pen. Some of the sheep broke away and they raced back to the yard and little Capree Pinky was technically disqualified for coming between the handler and the sheep. Very disappointing to see that happen after such an excellent performance. I spoke to Chins Stapleton after the trial and he felt he had sent Pinky the wrong way to block the sheep running back. You only have a split second to analyse the situation and make a decision and sometimes it doesn't go to plan.

Mary and Stephen Bilson Noonbarra Kelpie Stud

May 1999 -