The Wabba Kelpie Stud was well known for winning sheepdog trials in both the traditional Arena as well as the newer farm type trials usually referred to as Utility Trials. One of the best known of the Wabba kelpies is Wabba Rip who won the National Kelpie Utility Trial in 1982. The Wabba Stud Kelpies also were used by a number of other breeders and handlers as well.

Wabba Rip and Wabba Kelly were both used by Geoff & Sandy Meller of the UD Stud, Malcolm Peake of the Barambogie Kelpie Stud used Wabba Rip and always thought very highly of him. Steve Weyman of the Wundurra Kelpie Stud and one of the leading handlers of the 1980's used Wabba Kelp and Barambogie Chad, a son of Wabba Rip and Liscannor Kay. Bruce Lang had Wabba Shade and Geoff Poultney had Wabba Sasha. Neil McDonald of the Sherwood Kelpie Stud in South Australia also had a lot of success with Wabba Kelp.

"I have always been interested in dogs and horses and when I was younger watched the dogs competing in the NSW Championship in Sydney for hours. After working around the bush for a number of years I'd had a few pretty handy dogs and decided to buy one with a bit of breeding.

I contacted Les Tarrant (Rockybar Stud), who had nothing available but put me in contact with Mick Doughty (Chondo Stud) at Goondiwindi. Mick sold me a little blue and tan bitch pup I named Chondo Trick (Kalari Joker and Elgovers Cutey). Same breeding as Chondo Chance. She turned out a very good mustering and paddock bitch with a beautiful natural cast. I eventually sold her to Mike Donelan (Bullenbong Stud) who used her as a brood bitch.

About the same time I bought Trick I saw an article in 'The Land' about a formation of a breed association for Working Kelpies. I contacted Barbara Cooper and became a foundation associate member. I later registered a prefix and became a governing member." - Don Williams in article to Mary Bilson

Don Williams was also a member of the NSW Sheepdog Workers Association and later became president of that organisation.

" In 1968, I got the job of Ranger with the Narrandera Pastures Protection Board (Now R.L.P.B.) and moved to that town. In 1969, I met Gordon McMaster (Wyreema Stud) who was manager of Pine Lodge, Jerilderie at that time. I saw two of Gordon's dogs, Wyreema Ned and Rockybar Bassey, who I thought then, and still think, were outstanding dogs. I decided that I wanted to incorporate as much of their blood as I could into my dogs. I purchased Wyreema Rocky (Wyreema Ned X Rockybar Bassey) as a six week old pup. Out of Bassey's next litters by Scanlons Butch, Gordon gave me a black & tan bitch pup, Wyreema Dinah. All my dogs since then have had a concentration of this blood." - Don Williams 1999

WYREEMA ROCKY

WABBA RIP

(Wyreema Rocky x Wabba Shade)

Wabba Rip was another Kelpie we saw work. However it was not until late in his life when he was owned by Geoff & Sandra Meller of the UD Kelpie Stud near Manildra NSW. He was in semi-retirement at their Stud and mainly used to sire a few litters. He ended his days at the UD Stud on the 20th October 1986.

He was bred and trained by Don Williams and proved himself to be an outstanding dog both as a sire and a worker. He was the sire of Wabba Kelp, Barambogie Clem and Barambogie Chad. Barambogie Chad was owned by Steve Weyman and did well in trials for him.

Wabba Rip made a big name for himself when he won the 1982 National Kelpie Utility Trial.

1978	3rd	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Novice	CootamundraChampionships	68
1978	1st	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Novice	Narranderra	91
1982	1st	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Open	Boutham Arena Trial	87/80
1982	5th	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Open	Holbrook Field Trial	92/X
1982	3rd	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Open	Berrigan Show Trial	77/63
1982	1st	Wabba Rip	Don Williams	Open	National Kelpie Utility Trial - Uralla

The National Kelpie Trial of 1982 was actually held in January of 1983 because it was postponed due to the severe drought conditions at the time. So sometimes Wabba Rip is credited with winning the 1982 trial and sometimes the 1983 trial. The true 1983 Trial however was held at Tottenham and won by Malcom Peake's Liscannor Kay.

It is interesting to note that the 1981 National Kelpie Trial was won by Malcolm Peake's Liscannor Kay as was the 1983 National Kelpie Trial. In between those two, the 1982 National Kelpie Trial was won by Wabba Rip. Don Williams thought highly of Kay and after the 1981 Nat. Kelpie Trial said, "The winner of the trial, Liscannor Kay, is a bitch anyone would be proud to own and is the type of dog I believe Kelpie breeders should be striving for." Malcolm Peake too also said that Wabba Rip was an outstanding dog.

Malcolm and Don then mated Wabba Rip To Liscannor Kay and produced a number of excellent Kelpies including Barambogie Clem and Barambogie Chad. Wabba Rip was also the sire of another very successful trial Kelpie, Wabba Kelp.

BARAMBOGIE CLEM

(Wabba Rip X Liscannor Kay)

Born: 25th July 1983

In the final of Caringal Utility Open Trial of 1990 - Barambogie Clem was poised to long cast when the sheep broke north over a hill into pine trees. The judge ruled "Let them go! More sheep". So Don Williams cast Clem onto a 2nd group of five sheep. (The general opinion seemed that Clem hadn't even seen the first five sheep). But Clem cast so wide that the judge rules he was "Out of bounds". Anti-climax, everyone was disappointed that the favoured dog had bombed out.

Next, Clem appears over the hill with the first five sheep and joins them with the second group of five and then brings the lot. The judge, Mr. Geoff Poultney re-considers and declares a re-run. The large crowd broke into spontaneous applause.

This same dog can soft or heavy force, bark, back, cover, is obedient and tough. There are others in the same league although naturally they are a minority. One or two are his progeny. No one will ever know if he crossed on the other side of the hill, the important thing is he got all ten sheep. He is by a National Kelpie Champion X from a National Kelpie Champion. He competes regularly exposing his reputation to criticism or praise. He has won Arena, Utility and Yard competitions - Bruce Lang (Reprinted with permission)

WABBA KELP

(Wabba Rip X Joes Gyp)

Born: 10th April 1984

We were fortunate to have personally been able to see Wabba Kelp worked by two different owners and both top dog handlers, Steve Weyman and Neil McDonald. Steve Weyman (Wundurra Kelpie Stud) worked him in the 1986 National Kelpie Utility trial at Toowoomba in Queensland. He took 2nd place in the Open final. He was sold later to Neil McDonald of the Sherwood Kelpie Stud in South Australia. Wabba Kelp then worked in the 1990 National Kelpie Trial at Keith in South Australia. We both thought Wabba was an excellent dog on the two occasions we saw him on the trial ground. He was a dog that stood out with a bit of class.

In 1987, Neil McDonald with Wabba Kelp was awarded the Coleman Noakes Trophy for highest scoring Novice dog at the National Kelpie Trial.The trophy is in memory of Paddy (Coleman) Noakes who run the Woombi Kelpie Stud.

 WABBA SHADE

(Wyreema Ted II X Wyreema Dinah)

Born: 18th March 1975

Wabba Shade was owned by Bruce Lang, a well known sheepdog handler and breeder near Leeton in the Riverina district of NSW. Bruce always had a high opinion of the Wabba Kelpies. You will see some of his remarks in the Barambogie Clem section. Wabba Shade was also the dam of Wabba Rip.

1977	4th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Novice	Narrandera Championship	86
1977	4th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Novice	Murrumbidgee Championship	85
1977	4th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Novice	Barham-Koondrook	66
1977	5th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Open	Nat Kelpie Trial- Jindabyne	63/60
1977	Award	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Bullenbong	Nat Kelpie Trial- Jindabyne	-
1978	2nd	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Novice	Narranderra	83
1979	6th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Open	National Kelpie Trial	73/64
1979	4th	Wabba Shade	Bruce Lang	Novice	Narrandera Trials	?

In 1977, Bruce Lang with Wabba Shade were awarded the Bullenbong Trophy for highest scoring Novice dog outside the final of the Open event at the National Kelpie Trial.The trophy was donated by the late Mike Donelan of the Bullenbong Stud.

(Wabba Rip X Liscannor Kay)

Born: 26th July 1983

Barambogie Chad was owned by Steve Weyman of the Wundurra Kelpie Stud. At the time (1980's) Steve was the handler to beat. He won three National Kelpie Utility trials and dozens of major championships. He was the owner of the famous Barambogie Mack among others. Chad worked well for him and he wasn't far off getting another national title in 1985 at Gulgong when he took 2nd place in the Kelpie utility trial.

Steve Weyman wrote of Barambogie Chad in his Kelpie Stud notes: "Big dog at 12 months. Steady going with good force, stregth and cover. Will back in shed and yards. Will start to trial in 1984-1985. Both of Chad's parents have won the National Kelpie Championship Trial. Kay has two, Rip has one. Chad will make a good dog with trial ability."

"I have only ever had a very small Stud, breeding no more than two or three litters a year. My aim has always been to breed a all round type dog that will adapt to the type of work their owners require. I think temperament is the single most important feature. It doesn't matter how much ability a dog has got, if his temperament is not right then it is very hard to get a good dog." 

"I am lucky to have owned and bred a few good dogs over the years. Probably the two best dogs I have had, both as trial dogs and for general work were, Wabba Rip (Wyreema Rocky and Wabba Shade) and his son, Barambogie Clem. Clem was out of Malcolm Peake's bitch, Liscannor Kay, so was a half brother to Barambogie Chance and Mack. I also had Clem's sister, Barambogie Holly, a very good paddock and trial bitch." - Don Williams in article to Mary Bilson (Noonbarra Kelpie Stud)

(Wyreema Rocky X R.E. Penny)

Born: 25th May 1982

Wabba Kelly was another stylish dog from the Wabba Stud. She didn't win any major trials that we are aware of but she put up some good performances. In 1987, she took 2nd place in the Open Trial at Narrandera. She was worked by Geoff Meller of the UD Kelpie Stud. She was only beaten by Don Williams working Barambogie Clem.

Another Barambogie Kelpie with Wabba blood was Barambogie Dot who was from Wabba Sue. Wabba Sue was owned by Malcolm Peake and did well in Sheepdog Trials. She was 3rd at the Culcairn Yard Trial in 1986. Barambogie Dot was used in the breeding program for the Avenpart Kelpie stud in western NSW. She was described in the Avenpart catalogue as: " This bitch is a beautiful type red & tan with natural break out in cast and good balance. Will bark on command anywhere and will back sheep in the yard."

Mary and Stephen Bilson Noonbarra Kelpie Stud