3-Legged Dog Excels

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31085, 14 June 1966, Page 3

3-Legged Dog Excels

Ike, a dog with only three legs, belonging to Mr J. E. Hay, of Masterton, was among the seven best dogs of 27 which ran in the short head and yarding event when the national sheep dog trials began yesterday.

The events are held on the properties of Mr D. P. Graham and Miss A. Welsh, between Tai Tapu and Motukarara.

Ike, named after President Eisenhower, tore the ligaments in his right front leg in an accident in April, 1964, and had tb have it amputated. Last year, at Wanganui, in the short head and yard and in the long head, he scored full points in each event for his outrun and this was equalled by only one other dog. On his three legs he has also won four open events at trials. Mr Hay said there had been some criticism of his running the dog with only three legs but Ike was a lightly built dog and he enjoyed taking part. It is likely to be Friday before the 148 competitors in the short head and yard event have run. The placings will then be determined for the South Island championships and the top seven dogs will have to run again next Saturday so that the national championship can be decided. The first South Island championship—the straight Huntaway with 118 competitors —is not likely to be decided until tomorrow. Dogs yesterday hunted three half-bred wethers up a hillside and through two markers near the summit. Another dog named among the best seven in the short head and yard yesterday was Bell, owned by Mr A. G. Stead, of Hastings. The Christ-church-born president of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association, Mr Stead was a competitor in the first national sheep dog trials at Hawera in 1936 and he has missed only one since. Mr Stead said there were only about half as many entries at the first national trials and the three events held then were all run on the one course. Also There Another competitor was also at the first national trials. He is Mr R. M. Wilson, of Kirwee. His Mac was second then in the New Zealand short head and yard and his Fly and Miss Mac were third and fourth respectively. Also with a dog at Tai Tapu yesterday was Mr J. F. (Fred) Wilsher, who in 1940, at Cambridge, 1941, at Blenheim, won both national heading titles in successive years with Roy. A veteran competitor who Is missing from the trials this year is 84-year-old Mr H. H. Harris, of Taihape, who is

unwell. Last year he won the Australian national championships at Canberra. Although conditions underfoot were excellent, a yellowish wintery light at times made it difficult for competitors. This was particularly so on the long head course. Poor visibility early in the day dilayed the start of the event until the middle of the morning. By late yesterday, with late entries, the total number of entries for the four events being held this week was over 520. Leading competitors and dogs, not necessarily in order of placing, at the end of the day in the three events which began yesterday were:— Long Head (with the first 27 out of 139 competitors having run). —D. McPherson’s (Waimate) Guy, W. W. Ross’s (Rangiwahai) Jet, F. A. Henricksen’s (Dannevirke) Boy, R. Dixon’s (Rangiora) Ben, G. J. Brennan’s (Feildlng) Dick, P. Gibbs's (Nelson) John, and G. Woolaston's (Taihape) Queen. Short Head and Yard (with the first 27 competitors having run out of 148). —J. W. Laugeson’s (Kaikoura) Laddie, D. McAloon’s (Taranaki) Bill, D. W. Lane’s (Blenheim) Chance, A. G. Stead’s (Hastings) Bell, W. W. Ross’s (Rangiwahai) Jet, J. E. Hay’s (Masterton) Ike, and L. J. Knight’s (Te Kuiti) Trek. Straight Huntaway (with 41 competitors having run out of about 118).—D. P. Harold’s (Pongaroa) Dick, C. J. Crutchley’s (Naseby) Syd, M. L. Kerr’s (Walkaia) Dan, D. W. Calder’s (Little River) Turk, R. J. Christie’s (Gore) Sharp, R. S. Booker’s (Takapau)’ Bruce, and R. N. Connor's (Waipukurau) Jim.