SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 5

SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Strong Wind At Waikari

The strong r’ind through Pyramid Valley yesterday made conditions very difficult for dog owners competing in the Canterbury provincial dog trial championships on Mr K D. Anderson’s property. “Braemyle.” Waikari.

The heading and huntaway events were held yesterday, but neither was completed. When they have been completed today the first six placings will be run off before the yarding and straight hunt events are held.

The Waikari Sheep Dog Trial Club which is holding the trials this year —its sixtieth jubilee year—received about 300 entries from more than 90 competitors. Some of the competitors came from as far as Marlborough, the West Coast. Otago, and Southland.

The Canterbury championship finals will be held on Friday, and further yarding, heading and straight huntaway events will be held on Saturday Sheep for the trials were lent by Messrs J. Arres, A. O. C. Rutherford, H Inch, and F. Francis.

There were some good runs, but many failures in the huntaway event, which could be attributed to the boisterous conditions, said the judge (Mr H. Roxburgh, of Waiau) A large percentage of the dogs failed to complete the course, only six reaching the end of the slew in the required eight minutes.

“The sheep tended to be jumpy later in the day.” said Mr Rox*burgh. “Maiden and local dogs were predominant in the draw, and we still hope to see some more good runs when a few more of the open dogs compete tomorrow.”

He said it was the best huntaway course he had seen on the Waikari ground. The most successful of those who competed yesterday were Messrs T. Gorrie (Dick), R. M. Wilson (Lassie), and P Gibbs (Roy).

Heading Mr J. Fulton, of Loburn, who judged the heading event, said that the work generally was poor. “There have been no outstanding runs at all yet, but the halfbred hoggets have been working wonderfully well.” he said. The wind was the main cause of the poor performances. Conditions were so blustery that the dogs could not hear the commands and whistles of their masters.

Of the 47 competitors who had runs yesterday, 20 completed the course. A further 20 entrants will compete today. The most successful yesterday were Messrs K. Neill (Dust), H. Inch, (Speed), R. M. Wilson (Trump), T. Barwell (Haig), and J. A. Harris (Pryde). The other huntaway judge will be Mr D. Sutherland, of Palmerston. Mr P. Gibbs, of Wakefield, will judge the yarding event, and Mr F Fieken, of Tai Tapu, he handy event.