Copyright 2000 Windrush Photo

Vern and Susan Thorp established Windrush Kelpie Stud in 1982. They are producing working Australian Kelpies that fit their stringent requirements for a stock dog. Their breeding program started with two quality imports, *Clovaville Oak and *Scoriochre Emma II, producing their first litter of top-notch working Kelpies in 1984. They have made several trips to Australia since their first visit in 1988, bringing back additional bloodlines to enhance their breeding program.

Vern and Susan farm near Oskaloosa, Iowa. Aside from 1000 acres of corn and bean production, they run a purebred Fleckvieh Simmental cow/calf herd, a purebred Dorset and a commercial sheep flock. The dogs are used daily with livestock chores gathering from the pastures, moving stock from lot to lot and working in the barns.

Vern and Susan plan and host many herding events and are founding members of the Iowa Herding Dog Association.  In furthering their efforts to provide educational seminars and clinics on the use and training of stock dogs, they and other dedicated stock dog enthusiasts formed the Australian Fund. They have been members of the Working Kelpies, Inc. since 1986, serving the breed association in several capacities from President to National hosts. They are also long standing members and the Midwestern United States overseas representatives for the Working Kelpie Council, Inc. of Australia. Subscriptions to Australia's The Working Stock Dog Magazine are available through them.

They occasionally find time to kick back from their busy daily schedule and what do you think they do for fun? Watch for them at various herding functions and trials across the United States.