SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 25

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

FIXTURES. Palmerston South. —June 15, 16, 17. ‘ Ashburton.—June 18 and 19. NGAPARA. The sixteenth annual trials commenced last week on Mr R. Fincham’s property. The weather was sflelightful, and; there was a satisfactory attendance of ■the public. Excellent arrangements had been made, so that the competition was started .punctually and proceeded, without a hitch. Competitors who intend attending the championship trials at Warepa were given the opportunity of an early Tun, a courtesy that was greatly ■appreciated. The catering was undertaken by the local 'ladies’ 'committee, and was most favourably commented upon. Mr Adam Elliott,-of Waitaki South, is judge, and his decisions have been accepted without cavil. Tuesday’s work attained a fairly good 'standard considering that the Sheep were not too kind. 'The 'first event was the short pull and yard, in Which there are 'an open and a maiden class. The open class attracted 38 entries, -and there were 11 -competitors an the maiden. The points were awarded as follows:—Heading 8 points, palling 8 points. Work at yard 6 points, yarding 4 points, and command 10 points; total 'B6 -points. For the -open -event the judge .placed the lending dogs, as under: — C. 'Smith I'Gamaru), Chance, 8, 8. '6, 4, 9—35 points .. -.. .. • • 1 J. M 'Crutchlev '(Kyeburn), -Moss, 8,7, 6, '4, 8—33 points .. .. , 2 J. Anderson -(Bog Roy), Toby, 8,7, ■'4, 4, '9 — ; 82 points ' . ® J. Anderson (Bog Rov), Toby -Junion, 8,7, 4. 4, B—3l '.points .... 4 Tn his remarks 'the judge said: — Chance cast on the right and went out cm good line, making -a good head in Imiu 15sec. Tie lifted quietly and pulled on a fair line to the yard. The work at the yard was good, and he yarded in 7mui 22sec. Moss cast 'on 'right, went 'out on good course, and made a good head in Imin ssec; lifted well -and pulled jerkily on a fair course to the .yard. Work at yard •good, and yarded in Turin 38sec. Toby- -cast-on Tight, went out freely on good line, and made a fair bead in Imin 16sec; pulled-on fair line to the yard, but split-sheep at yards; yarded in Bmin -9sec. Toby Junior cast On right, went out on a good line, and made a good bead in Imin 30sec.; lifted well, pulled on a good line, but was a little fast on the •■flat; split sheep at pen three times; yarded in 9min -55 sec. For the Maiden class the following awards were made:— W. Hazlett’s '(Southland') Fan, '5, 7, '4, 0,7 —'23 points .. . . 1 E. Dunstan's (Hakataramea) Chance, '6, 6. '3, 0, '7—22 points 2 J. Tiddy’s (Otematata) May, '6, 6,3, 0,'6—21 points . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3 W. M'Kenzie’s (Hakataramea) Kep, 5,5, 2, 'O, points .. ..... .. 4 G. -P. Johnston’s TAlma) Red, 6,5, 2, 0, 's—lB points i The judge commented as follows:— Fan east on right, went out wide and over-nan sheep.; <came in and made a -slack head in 2niin 36sec; pulled on good line

to the yards; work at yards fair; 'failed to yard. Chance cast on right, crossed cast at foot of hill, then went out and made a fair head in Imin 30sec; lifted quietly and pulled quietly on a good line; sheep split at yard; failed to yard. May cast on right, went out wide, then made a running head in 2min sse'c; pulled a little fast on hill on a good line to flat; very last across flat; work at yards poor; tailed to yard. The Open Huntaway event was completed on Tuesday. 'The standard of work was very high, and many of the dogs made excellent run. 4. Results: — OPEN HUNTAWAY (points—huntaway 8, noise 8, slew 6, style 8, command 10; —total 40). Fourty-four entries. C. M‘Erlane« (Ranfurly) Romp, 8,8, 6,8, 10—40 points 1 G. M'Aughtrie’s (Kurow) Sharp. 7,8, 6,7, 10 —38 points 2 lan Anderson’s (Bog Roy) Speed, 7, 8,6, 7, 9 —37 points 3 TV. M’Hardy’s (Waitaki South) Dick, 71, 7, '6, 7, 9 —361 points 4 Romp hunted through the first flags in good line; through second set of flags in good line; completed course in good line; work very good. Time, -6min 59sec. Sharp hunted rashly across flat; through first flags in fair line; through second flags in good line; completed course in good line. Time, 6min 27sec. Speed hunted across flat in fair line through first set of flags; through second flags in fair line; completed course on fairly good line. Time, Turin 7sec. Dick hunted across flat slowly; put sheep through first flags in fair line; through second flags in fair line; completed course in 7min llsec. The chain stepping contest resulted as follows.—First day': P. Kane 1 G. Cant 2. Second day: A. H. Gibson I.’ R. Newlands 2. I'he sheep guessing contests resulted as follows: First day: L. H. Sumpter and J. Stewart (Livingstone) equal 1. Second day: J. Anderson 1, N. Newiands 2. The concluding events were completed on Wednesday. The total number of entries was 138, constituting a record for the club. Appreciation was expressed of the action of Mr and Mrs Fincham in placing their property at the disposal of the club foi the trials and also for their many kindnesses throughout the trials. Mr Adam Elliott (judge) carried out his exacting duties to the general satisfaction of the competitors and spectators. Results:- — Long Pull (35 entries). —J. Anderson’s Toby (39 points) 1, J. Anderson’s Risp (38| points) 2, A. Henderson’s Star i3B points) 3, C. Smith’s Chance (37 points) 4. Toby cast on the right and went out on a good line, making a good head in Turin 25sec. He pulled on a fairly good line to ring. His holding was good and moving good. Maiden Huntaway. Twenty-five entries —J. M'Aughtrie’s Sweep (35 points) 1, A. Henderson’s Tiger (34 points) 2, J. Trotter’s Mac (33 points) 3. G. M'Anghtric’s Black (32 points) 4. Sweep hunted across the flat, through the first flags on a good line; second flags on a good line, and completed the course on a very fair line in Amin 12sec. The Corrigal Cup, for most points in classes 1 and 4, was won by C. Smith’s Chance, with 72 points. J. Anderson’s Toby was second with 71 points. WAREPA. •Under fine weather conditions, though with a cold south-west wind blowing, the annual trials of the Warepa Collie Dog Club were opened on the property of the president of the club (Mr W. S. Thomson) at Warepa on Wednesday. Included on the club’s 'programme this year are the Championship Head and the Championship Huntaway which are conducted annually under the auspices of the Southern Association, being allotted in rotation to the trials of the various clubs affiliated to the association. In 'the circumstances, therefore, more than ordinary interest 'attaches to the meeting, and the championship events have drawn 'competitors from all parts of Otago and Southland, practically all the leading breeders and sheep dog men of the two provinces being present. Owing to the fact that trials were nlso being held -at Ngapara on Wednesday, nt which -a number of leading dog owners were competing, it was decided not to hold the two big events until yesterday in 'order to -give these men 'an opportunity 'of entering their dogs for the championships. The trials on Wednesday were confined to the Maiden Head and the Maiden Huntaway. Th# first was completed by the afternoon, and the last dog -in . the Huntaway finished the course shortly after 10 a.m. yesterday, when the Championship Head was started. The entries in the club events constitute a record. 30 dogs being entered for the Maiden Head and 22 for the Maiden Huntaway. Despite this, however, the runs have been put through in good time, the arrangements, under the supervision of a capable band of officials, being carried out without -a hitch.

The Warepa course is generally admitted to be one of the finest in Gtago. It consists of a broad, fairly steep tussock face, rising from a rolling paddock, from which the hunitaway events are started, and upon which in the heading the doge are required to hold their sheep and yard. The sheep this year, which have been supplied for the trials by Mr W. ’S. Thomson, are Corriedale-cross wethers, and, being frec-Tnnning and inclined to be touchy in handling, they proride a good test of a dog’s ability to maintain control under all conditions. The wind on Wednesday and yesterday also made the task of the dogs more difficult, the sheep being harder to keep on a good line. Despite this, the work 5n the two opening events was of a really high-class for maiden dogs, and in the huntaway in particular the opinion was expressed that -a better standard bad never been -set in this class on the chib’s course. Some well-known dogs were entered in the championship head, in which the work was well up to what might be expected in such an event. -Some splendid runouts were made, but in a 'number 'of -cases the wind made the sheep very intractable, and it was practically impossible either to. hold them -in the -ring or to yard. »For this 32 dogs were entered, making it impossible iu give all a run last night, and

the event -will be continued thia morning, after which the ehampionship huntaway will be held.

lhe judging is being carried out by Mr M, ahey, of Evan’s Flat, who has the assistance of Mt G. Maze, of Kakapuaka. ilie 10l lowing are the results to date: — MAIDEN HEAD.—About 400 yards Joints: Headinsr 8, pulling 8, command 8, style at yards 4, yarding 4— 3'2 Tb ize: Frist £3, second £1 , T V III / 1 15s. Time, lOmin. z and Sons’ Dark, 7, 6. 6, j«i. - 7,’ 6, 53, 13. 4-24 2 I. Watts Meg. 6,5, 6J, 2. 4—233 .. 3 Also ran: C Kerr’s Flash 23, W. Kennedy s Spider 23, A. D. M'Kenziek Fleet 22 a , W. S. Thomson's Gyp 22. A. G Perkms s Roy 22, W. H. Monk’s Rough 21-., J. Kellahan s Waddell 21, L H I'7l- -’ S J 20i. G. Maze’s ’ Kyp Beat 20 C w" I yl,e ?°’ H ' neat 20, G W. Johnstone s Scott 19 J Sharp 19 W. Ridlej’s Fern IR Seed 17 J°R 17 ’> H ' Woilk « S • S’ Ant le«'«on’s Glen 163, W S Thomson s Pat 16. F. Golightly’s Tweed Qi nV • , • Bruce 7 U,’ Shoulders s Bluey 7. W. R. Down .eh Jed Ben 0 A E rg G,A Ke "’ P c 5 ’ H ' W ‘l‘’Wres tanec’s Flirt' 0. IbXh 'fme' his Xe? in good" rtyle'Tn ftn nJ l^pliMris^r lls, p,rf1 ' in a gffod Hrie ’’ ‘I’"! Xk at +he eep C i m,ng off tke hiilcXmand n-s’i i <fS "‘ aB gOOd ’ as was 1 - e K "eeeeded in vardiu" his Sheep m 4min 55.ee. Jed ran out well on a good cast and He mlit T' ? ad ’ but - rtom lie split bis sheep coming off the hill but recovered and pulled "n a fair line vardl g a° 0< co ; n “? at,d ' His work at the va dtl Iri 8 i Slaf l< ’ Ut lle bat ked al "l .'aided fits sheep m 9mm 45sec. sever?! 7 1 ’ out . on . a fair ,ine - but stopped HoweJj H’ to ” lg tl ? 1C 011 tlle rlm Ollt - Houcier. she recovered and made a good head in Imin susec and stopped. She £he.n ;\ CT she fI ?P in ,. Piling, and allowed them to go off the line. Her work at the yards was fair and her command good. She yarded in Simin. MAIDEN HUNTAWAY.— Points: Hnntaway 8, noise 8, command 8. slew 6, style 6—total 36. Prizes: First £3 lOmh? fl 1OS ’ tihld ' 15s ’ Time ’ •L Ke.llahan’s Help. 7. 63, 6j, 4. 5—29 1 W, J. Kennedy’s Spider, 5,6, 63 4 4—25 j ...... .... ... .. .. " ’ o J. Duugey’s Moss, 5, 6. 4J, 5,' 3 Also ran: J. Cuttanee’s Fan 243 R Anderson’s Glen 22. J. A. Nelson’s" Roy 7 1 ’. /V", Kenziek Don 20, F. GoJ'o' b w 's Help 18, A. D. M’Kenzie’s Coy X - r ? 00I !^ s Ja P IL G. Ro.s’s Baldy X?’ « Glwi A- J- Crawfordk Clyde 13, A. Dagg’s Beat 13, R. Downie’s o ag . , Wa ? fs Xe, l 12 « J- Waddell’s Rock 10, J. Stemring’s Black 10 W Rooney’s Ned 8, W. S. Thomson’s Roy o.' D. Morgan s Bill and R. J. Hodge’s Fred did not run. Help hunted Iris sheep through the first set of poles on a good line, although he was rather slack. He drove Iris sheep through the second poles, but his line was now not so good. -Approaching the third set of poles, Help was driving in good style, but was -keeping rather far off his sheep. He completed the course in 6min lasec. Spider hunted on a good line to tire second pair ‘of poles, where he made the wrong 'slew. He failed twice to push his sheep through, but on the third occasion he succeeded. From then on he drove on a good line, but, like the first placed dog, he kept too far from his sheep when going through the last poles. He completed the course in smin 45sec. Moss missed the first set of polos at his first attempt, but -went through on his second trial. He made a good Hire to the second poles, hunting wide, but split his sheep going through the -last pair, and finished the course in 7min 45sec.

The sheep-guessing competition on Wednesday, which drew 19 entries, was won by Messrs J. Dungey, W. Ridley, and W. J. Kennedy, who divided the prizemoney, being nearest with guesses of 1111 b each. The correct weight was 1191 b.

■Practically perfect weather conditions prevailed on Friday morning for the, final runs of the Southern Association’s championship head at the annual trials of the Warepa Collie Dog Club. Shortly before noon, however, -rain commenced to fall, and a heavy shower continued for about an hour and a-half, when the clouds lifted, the weather from then on, although cold, being all that could be desired from the point of view -of competitors. There was again -a good attendance, and the morning’s work in the heading 'was of a higher standard than that of the -previous day, due largely to the fact that there was an absence of the wind which on Thursday made things rather difficult both for the dogs and the competitors. The exhibition given by the final six dogs, in particular, was of a 'very high order, as was only -to be expected from the pick of a championship field, and in the final summing up of the points not a great deal separated the placed dogs. The course, -although, as has been mentioned before, one of the best in is not an especially hard one, but -the dip between the edge of the tussock and the ring -and yards proved the undoing of more than one 'good dog, which, after pulling in -a perfect line down the hill, allowed his sheep to get off the line in the hollow, and 'consequently lost valuable points. This is by no means a reflection upon the course, -ns the short period during which the dog is more oy less out of sight, and must, therefore, be left largely to take command himself, provides a good test of his ability to maintain a good steady pull without the need of constant checking. Perhaps the outstanding feature of the heading was the success of the dogs of Mr J. Anderson. Upon the count for the first round Toby, jun„ was leading with 35i points from Toby, who had scored 341, but in the final run the more experienced dog gave a splendid exhibition, and secured 364 points to his companion’s 32J, bringing his total up to 71, and giving him the championship from W. Hazlett’s Glen with 68J. Toby, jun., was next, half a point behind, these two dogs gaining for their 'owner two out ‘of the first three places. The huntaway championship drew 27 entries, and a «tart was made in thn

rain shortly before dinner. The sheep for this event, which were also provided by the president of the club (Mr W. S. Thomson) were big-framed crossbred ewes of mixed ages, which, although fairly free running, required a certain amount of nursing over the last pinch and tested the steadiness of dog and owner alike. It is rather surprising to notice that a number of competitors year by year succumb to the temptation to push their sheep too hard, even when they have plenty of time, and by their lack of patience spoil what would otherwise have been a very fine run. The last slope at Warepa is fairly, steep, and if there is one weak sheep in . the bunch the dog which keeps too close on to Ins charges is almost bound to strike trouble. Taken as a whole, the work of the dogs in the huntaway was of a remarkable standard throughout yesterday afternoon. The number of dogs entered made it impossible to decide the championship by last night, and the final runs will not therefore be made until this morning, after which the open head will be held. The sheep-guessing on Thursday was won by Mr J. Anderson (Bog Roy), who guessed the correct weight, 1091 b. The following is the result of the championship heading:—

CHAMPIONSHIP HEAD.—PuII, hold in ring, and yard; about COO yards. Points: Heading 10, pull 10, command 10, holding 4, style or work at yards 4, yarding 4;—total. 42. Prizes: First, 50 per cent, of the entry money; second, gold medal, phis 25 per cent, of the entry monev; third. 124 per cent, of the entry money; fourth, fl 10s: fifth, £1 Is; sixth, 15s. * Time, llrain.

First Run. J. Anderson’s Toby, jun.—S, 8, 84, 3, , 4, 4;—35| • •• •• 1 . J. Anderson’s Toby—9, 7,8, 34, 3, 4; — 344 2 J. B. Purdue’s Spot —8,8, 8,2, 4, 4; — 34 3 W. Hazlett's Glen—64, 9, 74, 24, 4, 4;—334 4 J. R. Anderson's Fan —9, 64, 8,3, 24, 4;—33 5 A. T. Miller's Kip—9, 84, 9,3, 3; — 324 6 Also ran: W. Hazlett’s Moss 31, J. B. Purdue's Sweep 31, L. Charleston’s Skip 31, J. C. H. M’Erlane’s Ned 304, P. Cliirnside’s Jed 304, W. E. Aubrey’s Moss 30, L. H. Tilson’s Don 29, J. Anderson’s Roe 29, J. Trotter’s Hazel 264, R. Anderson's Scott 26. L. Charleston’s Vale 26, J. Waddell’s Bob 244, J. B. Purdue’s Snap 24. W. S. Thomson's Toss 234, J. A. Nelson's Kate 224. F. Golightly’s Mick 22, A. T. Miller’s Runt 214. J. Allan's Sweep 21, L. H. Tilson’s Tip 20, J. Allans Don 184, J. Anderson’s Risp 174, W. E. Aubrey's Jack 17, C. H. Smith’s Chance 1. W. Hazlett's Fan, J. R. Anderson’s Bruce, and E. M’Leod’s Nellie failed to get onit. Toby, jun., ran out on a splendid line, but over-ran his sheep, and stopped before heading. He pulled off the hill on a good line, but shouldered his sheep, and pulled rather fast coming to the ring. Hie work in the ring was good, though he let his sheep out once. His yarding work also reached a high standard, and he penned his sheep in 94 minutes. Toby ran out fast on the right, headed and stopped in Imin 19sec. At the commencement of his pull he split his sheep, and was inclined to be a bit too fast coming off the tussock. He also shouldered his sheep badly while coming down and again near the ring. However, he held well in the ring,"hie yard work was good, and he yarded in 7min 55sec. Spot ran out on the right, taking a good line. He stopped twice, but completed a good head in 2min 6sec. He pulled steadily on a fairly straight line, but lost time when the sheep were out of sight. He was slack in ring work, but recovered at the yards and yarded, his command being very fair. Glen ran out on the right, coming in on his cast, and he had to be redirected several times. He ran too wide before heading, and over-ran his sheep. He pulled steadily on a very good line, held his sheep well in the ring, though he let them out. His yard work was very good, and he yarded in 9min. Fan ran out on the right, taking a splendid line, but stopped twice, and was a little wide. She completed her head in 2min 4sec. Her pulling down the tussock was very good, but she let the sheep get off the line coming to the ring, in which she held them well. She ran off her sheep at the yard, but penned them in 9min 33sec. Kip took a great line out to the right, but slowed off before heading, which he completed in Imin 51sec. He lifted his sheep quietly, and pulled in good style coming off the hill, but allowed them to swerve when down. He held well in the ring, and his work at the yards was very good, though he failed to pen the sheep within the time.

Final. J. Anderson’s Toby—94, 84, 84, 4,2, 4;—364 (344) 1 W. Hazlett’s Glen —8,8, 8,4, 3, 4; —- 35 (334) 2 J. Anderson’s Tobv, jun.—9, 84, 84, 34. 3, —324 (354) 3 A. T.- Miller’s Kip—9, 74, 84, 2,3, 4;—34 (324) 4 J. A. Anderson's Fan —74, 84, 84, 24, 2, 4;—33 (33) .. 5 J. B. Purdue’s Spot—7, 74, 8,2, —; — 264 <34) 6 Toby took a beautiful run out on the right, going clear round and stopping in Imin 29sec. He pulled a little hard coming off the tussocks, and was a little off the line coming to the ring. He held very well in the ring, but at the yards he dived and split his sheep. He yarded in lOmin 40sec. Glen ran out on the right on a good line, stopped once and came in a little on his cast, requiring to be redirected once. He moved his sheep before heading, completing a running head in Imin 44sec. He pulled rather fast coming off the hill, and did not take the best line. He held well at the ring, and, although he turned tail once, his work at the yard was very good, and the sheep were penned in 9min 47see. Toby, jun., took a good line out to the right, but came in slightly on his cast. He finished a good head in Imin 32sec. He was inclined to pull slightly on the top side after lifting his sheep and swung them coming off the tussock. From then on he made a good line, and held very well in the ring, but, although

his work at the yards was good, he failed to pen his sheep. Kip took a beautiful line out to the right, but slowed off before heading, and did ont go clean round his sheep in doing so. He lifted them quietly, and swung them a little coming off the tussock, and also let them off the line coming to the ring. His holding in the r?tig was fair, and he did very well at the yards, penning his sheep in 9min 45sec.

Fan ran out' too wide on the right and over-ran her sheep before heading, which was not as clean as it might have been. She swung her sheep a little coming off the tussock, and. let them get off the line when out of sight, but her pull was steady all the way. She split her sheep both at the ring and the yards, where her work, however, was fair. She yarded in 9min 54sec. Spot ran out on a good line to the light, but stopped twice and slowed off before heading, going clean round as he did so. He pulled steadily on a good line, but lost time when the sheep were out of sight. He was slack at the ring, but his yard work and command were both good. He failed to yard.