Courtney Moir's Muster Dogs win fuels passion for dog handling, motherhood
Courtney Moir and her dog, Blossom, have claimed the top honour in Muster Dogs. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
In short:
West Australian farmer Courtney Moir and her dog Blossom have been crowned winners of Season Four of Muster Dogs.
This season delivered a fresh twist on the original format, with six rookie trainers and their pups put to the test.
What's next?
Ms Moir said she hoped sharing her personal story on Muster Dogs would empower more women to speak up about female isolation on farms.
Four years ago, Courtney Moir watched the very first season of Muster Dogs from her couch in rural Western Australia.
She has just been announced as the winner of season four alongside her border collie, Blossom.
The duo were paired up for this season, which challenged six rookie trainers and their pups to compete for the top spot.
Courtney Moir says Blossom kept her energised throughout the competition. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
"I was shell-shocked when I found out I had won this season during filming, lost for words to begin with,"Ms Moir said.
"When they announced it on the television, all of those feelings came up again.
"I am so proud of myself and for stepping outside my comfort zone and doing it."
The 32-year-old farms with her husband and his family near Wellstead, about 460 kilometres south-east of Perth.
The Moir family farm is located near Cape Riche in Western Australia's Great Southern region. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
Ms Moir said she discovered sheepdog training through the series while searching for a greater sense of purpose on the farm.
"I sat down and watched the first season of Muster Dogs back in 2022 and thought I could do that, and it would be really beneficial for the farm," she said.
Courtney Moir worked in banking before moving to her husband’s farm. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
During the filming, and while building her confidence in dog handling, Ms Moir discovered she had a serious fear of cattle.
To overcome it, she bought some three cows and named them Tina, Bec and Kerry after "three strong agricultural women" who helped her on her journey.
"I think that's actually helped me with the fear, like it's personalised them and I know their character and their personality, and it made them not as scary to me," she said.
The dogs and their owners completed an intensive training program. (Supplied: Muster Dogs)
Finding an identity
Ms Moir moved to the farm years ago from Albany in the Great Southern while she was about to become a first-time mum.
The former bank employee said the transition left her feeling isolated and unsure of her identity beyond motherhood and farm life.
"I put so much into becoming a mother that I stopped doing things for myself," said Ms Moir, who now has two children.
"It was also not all that easy moving out to a lifestyle that is so different, when you've had all the entertainment of living in a city or a big town.
"I did find the transition quite difficult, so working dogs became the thing that would fill my cup and be my outlet."
Courtney Moir moved to the family farm a month before her son was born. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
Since appearing on the show, Ms Moir said she had received a lot of feedback from women who had also experienced the challenges of moving to a farm.
"I don't think people quite realise that moving to a farm — it's a lifestyle that is built for someone else, and around someone else," she said.
"When I rocked up here for the first time, I had a dog and a car — that was all I had in my name."
"I think other rural women understand that feeling of trying to find your own identity on a farm, and that sense of belonging."
Courtney Moir says she is excited to have her children grow up surrounded by rural life. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
Ms Moir said she hoped sharing her story would inspire more women to speak openly about their own experiences.
"It's hard to put it into words, I feel like all of a sudden my story has been accepted across Australia,"she said.
The champion said she and Blossom would continue to compete in trials and refine their skills.
"I really think I've found my passion, and what I'm going to be doing for years to come and with my kids," Ms Moir said.
"I hope this opens the door up for more experiences, and that my story can help people navigate their emotions."
Stream the new series of Muster Dogs free on ABC iview.