N.Z. Sheep Dog Trials

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 14

N.Z. Sheep Dog Trials

The New Zealand and South Island sheep dog trial championships will be held from Monday to Saturday about 12 miles from Christchurch on the main highway to Akaroa between Tai Tapu and Motukarara on the properties of Mr D. P. Graham and Miss A. Welsh. Here, within a short distance of Christchurch, city and country 7 people alike will be able to see New Zealand’s top sheep dogs in operation. The dog plays a vital role in New Zealand’s livestock farming and the sort of tests that dogs and their owners have to go through at the trials are the basis of sound stock handling on the farm.

About 200 sheep dog trial men from all parts of the country will come to Tai Tapu for the trials. Some of them will have three or four dogs competing. Many will have two. To be able to compete dogs must have gained at least five qualifying points at club trials earlier in the season. A win at a club trial earns the necessary five points whereas a fifth placing earns a single point. When entries closed on May 13, 478 entries had been received for the four events which will be held during the trials, but entries for dogs qualifying after the official closing of entries will be accepted up to the first day of next week’s trials, and it is likely that entries will ultimately exceed the 500 mark. The courses for three of the events will be on Mr Graham’s property and for the other event the course is mainly on Miss Welsh’s property. The short head and yard and the straight huntaway will begin on Mr Graham’s property on Monday morning and the long head on Miss Welsh’s. The zig zag huntaway will follow after the straight huntaway on the same course. The first seven placings in each event will represent the placings in the South Island championships and on Saturday, June 18, the seven top dogs in each event will run again and the points they score in the second run will be added to those gained initially to determine their placings in the New Zealand championships. June 18 will, there-

fore be the occasion of the battle between the champions and will be a very special occasion for spectators. The judges will be Messrs S. H. McDonald (Nightcaps) for the long head, C. D. Perry (Aria) for the short head and yard, G. Woollaston (Taihape) for the zig zag huntaway, and I. Anderson (Kurow) for the straight huntaway. Each judge will have a caravhn to work from. The grounds for next week's trials are considered to be one of the best in the country with all events being held in close proximity. Arrangements for the trials are being made by the Tai Tapu Collie Dog Club with the assistance of other clubs in Canterbury. A member of the Tai Tapu club will act as marshal for each event and he will have with him a steward from another club in the province. Spectators will be able to view the progress of the trials from a natural grandstand and for the comfort of spectators shelters made out of bales of straw with tarpaulins over the top are being erected. Three carcase and offal burners are also being provided- 'by the makers as heaters. A company that makes fencing material and metal pens is providing docking yards to hold the sheep that will be used for the trial and the four local freezing companies are providing meat for competitors’ dogs which will be stored in killing houses provided by the makers. There will be full catering facilities on the

grounds. Some 600 ewes and 600 wethers will be used during the trials as in each event the same sheep may be used no more than once. The ewes for the heading events are being lent by Mr M. A. Tilson, of Broadfields, and the station wethers for the huntaway events have been purchased by three Tai Tapu club members—Messrs Tilson, D. J. Haines and C. N. Gebbie. On Thursday afternoon Mr R. M. Wilson, of Kirwee, will judge what are called the bench dog classes, which are show dog classes. They

are open only to dogs competing in the championships. Before dogs may compete in the trials owners will be required to produce certificates showing that the dogs are free of hydatids. This is being enforced to protect other dog owners and the owners of the sheep and properties on which the trials are being held. Visitors to Canterbury for the trials will be entertained at a social which will be held in the Winter Garden next Wednesday evening by the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association.