Go Getta Brue - bred and trained by Joe Spicer of Glenthompson - won the inaugural Dean and District Yard Dog Trials with a score of 184 out of a maximum 200 points.

Brue took the honours from Darryn Hannah's Karaka Zinzan (180 points) on Sunday, while Mr Spicer finished third and fourth with Go Getta Package and current Victorian yard dog champion Go Getta Basil (178 and 177 points respectively). 

Brue was runner-up Australian yard dog champion last year after winning the title in 2013. The five-year-old red kelpie is also Victoria's reigning champion farm dog from Sheepvention in Hamilton. 

"He's a very special beast," Mr Spicer said. "He has all the power in the world but he treats the stock with respect.

"Some kelpies can be a bit independent but he is so biddable and trainable and that's why he is a great dog."

Mr Spicer said there was little to separate the top dogs in the trials - Dean's first for yard dogs - even between his own entrants. 

"Brue was more positive, while Package was a bit more careful," he explained. "What we want to see with trials is you want constant forward movement with the sheep having a low stress state of mind." 

About 30 handlers with an overall total of 60 dogs competed across three sections at the Dean Recreation Reserve for cash and prizes. Sheep were provided by event supporter TB White & Sons.

Mr Spicer said the quality of the event and the venue itself did not go unnoticed by competitors who had travelled from across the state. 

"The event couldn't have been better," Mr Spicer said. "Any sport is about the people and atmosphere, and it was just a warm friendly atmosphere. 

"It is great to see a community looking after and appreciating a community asset. The condition of a recreation reserve can reflect on the community and the recreation reserve." 

Yard dog trials were brought to the Dean Recreation Reserve this year following the introduction of the Old Sniff Classic Three-Sheep Dog Trials two years ago.

Organiser Adrian Ryan said the organising committee was encouraged by the level of support for the event.

"It was a fantastic result. Everything went as planned," Mr Ryan said. 

"The standard of competition is extremely high, and having a competitor like Joe Spicer, who is a national champion, gives the event real credibility.

"We are encouraged to run the event again next year, for sure, given the support from the dog trialling community and the local community. We had a good crowd around lunch time. 

"We might try to do things next year. After running the event for the first time you have a better idea for next time."

The next event on the Victorian yard dog trial calendar is at Patchewollock in the Mallee this coming Saturday.

Dean & District Yard Dog Trials

RESULTS

OPEN

1. Go Getta Brue, Joe Spicer 184 points

2. Karaka Zinzan, Darryn Hannah 180 

3. Go Getta Package, Joe Spicer 178

4. Go Getta Basil, Joe Spicer 177

5. Sam, Roland Powell 164

NOVICE

1. Jud, Robert Hart 180 points

2. Duke, Luke Crouch 179 

3. Jim, Robert Hart 89

4. Apple, Luke Twigg 88

ENCOURAGE

1. Shiva, Tania Rowe 72 points

2. Daisy, Dwayne McKinnon 67

3. Roger, Terry Sim 50

4. Rocket, Adrian Ryan 49