After three years of Covid and major flooding the MDOC July Obedience & Rally Trial finally came to fruition. The rise in popularity and accessibility of Rally Obedience for a greater range of competitors, led to the MDOC Committee incorporating a Rally Trial into our annual Trial schedule. In previous years, the July Trial incorporated a Retrieving Ability Trial for Gundogs (RATG) which required a much larger space and hence our Trial was hosted at the Tocal Agriculture College. The Committee decided to streamline our Trial schedule and incorporate Rally and remove RATG from the July Trial, which allowed us to move the Trial back to our grounds at Ernie Jurd Oval, Largs.

This event was a resounding success, thanks to the combined efforts of exceptional judges, our loyal DogsNSW representative, dedicated volunteers, remarkable dogs, and enthusiastic participants. I would like to extend my personal thanks to Ms Lynne Christie our DogsNSW representative who generously gives her time and expertise to watch over proceedings for the entire weekend and give guidance and wisdom to help ensure our trials are the best they can be. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our esteemed judges, Mr Darryl Turley, Mrs Pauline Hartwell, Mr Phill Evans, Mrs Vickie Harris, Ms Mandy Choice, Mrs Veeni Craig, Mrs Patricia Ohm, and Ms Rebecca Braid who brought their expertise, fairness, and keen insights to the competition. Their well-thought-out courses, evaluations and constructive friendly feedback were instrumental in making this trial a valuable learning experience for all participants.

The backbone of any successful trial is its volunteers, and we were truly blessed to have an amazing team. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the smooth execution of the event. From ring stewards to the hospitality team, from setup to tear-down, your unwavering commitment contributed to the seamless flow of the trial. A special mention to our youngest members Kaley and Simon who volunteered their time on both Saturday and Sunday, assisting Judges with their ring set ups and running around doing all the roust-about jobs. Thanks, you were amazing!!

The true stars of the show were, without a doubt, the incredible dogs that displayed their talents and abilities in both obedience and rally disciplines. Their strong bond with their handlers, combined with their impeccable training, was a joy to witness. Each team's hard work and dedication were evident in every performance, and it was inspiring to see the progress made by these remarkable canine companions.

While the trial was filled with moments of triumph and celebration, we also experienced some bittersweet moments in the Utility Dog (UD) and Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) categories. The challenges presented in these advanced levels are a true testament to the dedication and perseverance required. To those teams who faced setbacks, please know that your efforts and determination have not gone unnoticed. Remember that every step forward is a victory, and your journey serves as an inspiration to us all.

In conclusion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this Dog Obedience and Rally Trial an unforgettable experience. To the MDOC committee, judges, volunteers, handlers, and their exceptional dogs, your passion and commitment to the sport of dog obedience and rally are truly commendable. We are humbled and honoured to have been a part of this event.

Thank you once again for your participation and support. We look forward to future trials and the opportunity to continue celebrating the incredible bond between humans and their canine companions.