WHEN you love dogs, what better hobby to have than one spent travelling the state managing the dog section at agricultural shows.
This is what professional dog show convenor Valley Horne does when she’s not working as a support worker.
She lives near Kingaroy in the South Burnett region and has driven as far at 10 hours one way to put on a dog show.
On Wednesday she was at the Claremount Show and she’ll be at the Boonah Show on Friday.
“I was at Roma a couple of weeks ago and after Boonah I’ll be coming home to change then off to do the Gin Gin Show early Saturday morning.
“I’ve done Goomeri and Proston shows too.”
Valley said she’s been showing dogs since she was nine-years-old and is soon to turn 69.
“I was taught by a senior All Breeds judge how to handle the process and be a steward,” she said.
“I’ve been stewarding since I was 15 and show managing since I was about 18. It’s my hobby.
“I’ve always loved my dogs and that’s why I am still doing it.”
Her role includes organising judges for an event and making sure the right paperwork is filed.
“I send paperwork with a schedule to Dogs Queensland specifying what’s happening,” she said.
“That gets published on their website and then I buy the trophies and turn up a day before the show.”
Serious competitors take part in agricultural show events to accumulate points that go towards championship titles, but it’s more than points driving Valley.
“I’ve always loved ag shows, I really do enjoy them,” she said.
“There’s also always so much interest from the public and I enjoy promoting it all.”
The canine aficionado wouldn’t be drawn on her favourite agricultural show.
“I like them all, each one is different and run by people who are passionate about their town’s show,” she said.
“The people on the committees know I have things under control and the dog section will run well.
