SHEEP DOT TRIALS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 2

SHEEP DOT TRIALS

EXCELLENT WORK AT TARATA EDUCATING THE SHEPHERD. SUCCESS OF MR. LIND’S MYRT. Dog trials, particularly when they are well conducted, always make a special appeal to even the most casual spectators, who cannot fail to appreciate the wonderful in-telligenee shown by the -sheep dog in interpreting his master’s gesture or whistle. Indeed, at times he appears to anticipate what is required and handles even the most obstinate of sheep with an almost uncanny precision. Co-operation between the shepherd and the dog, too, is another powerful feature. In a sheep district, however, sheep dog trials possess even a greater significance. The handling of sh'*p is their livelihood axid part of their daily vocation, and the more intelligent the dog and the more experienced the shepherd, the more expeditiously and economically will the woi'k of the Sheep run be carried out, and the sheep will ibe landed at the market in better condition, thus realising a higher price to their owner. Trials, therefore, have a great educational value as well ae providing a day. or two away from the ordinary routine of the station.

The Tarata Dog Trials, as the outcome of the high standaid set by -the officials during the past 20 year..,, have gained a well-deserved reputation, so it was no surprise to find that, despite the countei'attraction of a sports meeting in a neighbouring district, a large crowd assembled yesterday for the opening day of the Tarata Sheep Dog Club’s annual trials.

Y’esterday was the twenty-first annual meeting, and it proved in all respects quite up to the high standard set in the past. Indeed, from the viewpoint'of the standard of work shown it is doubtful if there has ever been Birch a high average attained at Tarata. Entries were large and very representative, competitors being present from all parts of Taranaki and as far away as Hunterrille. The trials were held on Mr. R. Paterson’s property, which was again -placed at the club’s disposal, and so complete were the arrangements made by the committee, and so well did the officials work, that splendid progress was made, the first event, the long head, pull and hold in ring, being completed early. About half the Tuns in the yarding event were also decided. The weather proved pleasant though occasionally during the day the wind rose and made the Sheep a little jumpy. ALMOST THE POSSIBLE. Twenty-eight dogs competed in the head, pull and hold -in ring, and some idea of the high standard of work may be gleaned from the fact that the judge deferred his decision till the close of the day, when he' had carefully checked his points. The winning dog, F. Lind’s (Ararata) Myrt, scored Within one point of the -possible, and no less than 13 dogs secured 85 per cent, or more points. From the form shown in the second event (head, pull, drive and yard), it looks as though the judge will 'have equal difficulty in deciding to-morrow. 'Subsequently, in an interview, the judge (Mr. T. Muir, of Mataroa,' near Tai'hape), who was making his first visit to Tarata since he competed with success at the opening trials there 21 yeai's ago with his. well-known dog Speed, was greatly, struck With the quality of the work shown, and the manner in which the sheep were handled. As the points indicate, the work was of a , very even nature. The. work, he said, compared more than favourably with that at other trials: he had visited throughout the North Island, and a number of the dogs equid compete with success at any meeting. The ground, though perhaps a little -short for ah ideal trial ground, was sufficiently difficult to try out the merits of the dogs. The sheep, he considered, were exceptionally good and admirably adapted tor trial work. The sheep were provided by Mr. 6., George.

The various officials, all experts in their respective departments, kept mattex's merrily moving. They included: Messrs H. Lambert, ground marshal; W. Topping, flag steward; S. George, dog steward; J. Hirst, mounted steward; J. Groove, timekeeper; G. Clark, J. Drummond, D.- Muir and R. Swan, sheep stewards; ■A. Muir, .judge’s clerk. Mr. A. Corkill, the club’s president, together with the-'Committee,--Meisers H. Lambert, W,,, Topping, S. George, R. Swan, J. Hirst, G. Clark and D. Muir, and particularly the honorary secretary, Mr. I. Macrae, and the honorary treasurer, Mr. A. Muir, are to be congratulated on the success achieved. A feature of the meeting was the catering, the dub again having toe services of a committee of the ladies of the district, who provided a bounteous repast. They included Mesdames M. E. Macrae, F. Muir, F. N. Standish, S. George, J. Drummond, A. -Smith, J. Hirst, W. Topping and a Levy of helpers. The results are as follow: —

CLASS I—Head, Pull and Hold in Ring. About 300 yards. Time, lOmin. Points: Heading 17, bringing back 17, holding in ring 4, command 12 —total 50- points. First prize £B, second £3 10s, third £l, fourth 10s. F. Lind’s (Ararata) Myrt (17, 17, 4, 11), total 49 points 1 J, Hirst’s (Tarata) Tweed (17, 16, 3J, 11), total 47i points 2 J. Scott’s (New Plymouth) John Pee-1 (17, I's’A, 3, llj),,total 47 points 3 H. R. Scott’s (Hawera) Meg (16, 16, 3J, 11), total 46J points 4 J. Edwin’s (YVaihi) Jed (17, 15, 3, 11),, total 46 points 5 H. R. ' Scott’s: fright aty.i 15J, -3. , ,11), 46 poliits 8 Forreete-r’B (Rawhitxroa). Kias (16J,

15, 4,T0), total 45J points ...... T A. Murphy’®-(Whangamo-mona) Nigger (16J, 15, 3, 11) J 45J S. George’s (Tarata) Black (10. 15, .. 3J, 10) 45J F. England's (Hunterville) Black (16, 16, 2, 10) 44 J. Lindls Boss (15, 15, 4, 10) 44 W. V. Mclntyre’s (Inglewood) Nap (16, 16, 1, 10) 43 A. Rolfe’s (Matuu) FTy (16J, 15, 3, 8) 42J The judge remarked:— Myrt.—Went out freely on a nice clean cast and made a good head in oSsee. Pulled on good line at an even pace throughout, arriving at the ring with sheep in good order, where, they were well handled and a very nice even tun completed in Omin ssee. Tweed.—'Went out beautifully on the left and made a good clean, liead in 48sec, and pulled straight to the ring, where the sliecp stepped over the line; otherwise they were held beautifully with the dog under g*ood control. It was a good, even performance. and was completed in Omin 50sec. John Peel.—Dog made a good clean head in Imin 2sec, and stood nicely over the sheep. Pulled nicely on the hill but got a little off the true line on the flat and was a bit too fast. Two sheep got over the border during the ring test; otherwise they were held well without being let out. The dog was under good control throughout, and completed in 6min lOsee. Meg went out freely on a good line and headed a little elose in Imin. Pulled a little off the line on the hill but improved on the flat. The sheep came to hand in good condition and were driven round the ring at a nice, even gait, the dog making only one slight mistake when turning the sheep for the second round. Completed in 6min 57see. The sheep-guessing competition wae controlled by Mr. -6. George. The actual weight of the sheep was 1391bs and J. Edwin (138’Albs) and D. Patereon (139 J lbs) were equal in their estimates. The trials will be concluded to-day and the prizes will be presented at a gathering in the hall to-night. Tlxe Tarata Hall was crowded last night on the occasion of the annual dance, an enjoyable time being spent. Jhe music was provided by Feek’e orchestra, ivhilst Mtesrs S? George and A. Muir nia-de capable Mi’sG.