DOG TRIALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 89, 21 May 1914, Page 10

DOG TRIALS.

FIRST DAY: The eighteenth annual trials of the Christchurch Sheep J>og Trial Club were, commenced on the Cashmere Hills to-day. More unpleasant weather could scarcely be possible, the work of the officials of the club being rendered most difficult and trying. The veteran judge, Mr W. O. Rutherford, of Montrose, again judged the contests. The timekeepers were Messrs G. Murray-Aynsley, R. M. D. Morten, and Captain M'Loan; flag stewards, Messrs J. Evans and D. M'Laughlin. The sheep used were a strong running lot of merino wethers bred on the Claverly Estate, Kaikoura, and were lent by Mr J. Gillanders, of Waddington. The first event was the Heading, Bringing Back, and Yarding, the points allotted being as follow:—Heading 8, under command 8, bringing back'B, holding in ring 6, style at yard 6, yarding 4—total, 40. Time allowed, 15 mimites. The six dogs scoring mostpoints in this, event are to be selected for the ' second 'run, and the five prize-winners made from these. : r ■: . '

The.first dog. to run was J. Morgan's Joy, which went out well hi 2min tsec, and did good work. It split the Sheep before reaching the flat. '■■:... J. Sheridan's, Tip went out fast in lmin 20sec ; but was inclined to rush; after cleverly negotiating the rocks, he split the sheep, but recovered them again* They were then brought back in good line to the ditch, the dog-going wide at the.; turns. One of the sheep . stopped in the ditch and lost its mates; and the, run had to be; abandoned. J. B. P.urdie's Glen was the next to go, and headed in 2min 16sec. .By obeying commands the dog saved a cross in heading, as' the sheep were working: away to the left. The sheep were brought "back to the ridge of the rocks. That proves rather a good test, and Avas'to this dog, for the sheep lodged themselves securely, and Glen was called off. A. Houlstori's; Clyde went out with a gpo4 cast, and headed quietly .in liuin 47sec, the sheep standing quietly. Clyde" brought the sheep back slowly, but began to push.them rather fast, and one sheep fell into a waterhole, and the rim .was abandoned. J. Forrester's Novas was. the next ...to go, and crossed in heading, which was accomplished In 2min issec. The dog had a good deal of luck in getting the sheep off the rocks, but soon after -separated them completely, and was called off. W. Lumsden's Lochiel Speed followed, and headed the sheep off in- lmiri 40scc, and brought them back quietly and in a good • line, the sheep going straight to thei ring, but the dog did not hold at all well. ' J. W. Pollock's Bob, a noted prize-winner, had to make a fairly long head, and turned his sheep in 2inin lOsec. They ; came back steadily, and were in the ring in 9min 52sec, where they weYe held with one'break: He worked well at the yards, and. the sheep were secured in 13min 35sec. '" ■ The run was well worthy of this dog's record. G. M'Aughtrie's Tyhe followed,, and had his' sheep turned home in a, second under two niinutes. The dog was rather noisy in bringing back, but brought them to the ring in 6min 55sec, but allowed them to escape once. At the yards his style was poor, but after several attempts the sheep went in the pen in 14min 45"-ec.

W. Robinson's, Jem made a wide cast aid headed the sheep in 2min oOsec, and they were brought down in a good line, being forced freely. The sheep were well held in the ring, which was' reached in Bmin 18sec. At the yard the dog was steady, but frightened the sheep and failed to pen. R. R. Pollock's Tip struck a heavy, hail squall for his run, and took 2min lffsec to head". The' sheep travelled badly, and the run - was given up while they, were still on the face of the hill. .

J. B. Purdue's Lo.chiel Kep -made a good head in the quick time of lmin ssec, the sheep standing well after liberation. The dog puljed well, arid brought them down to the ring in good line, the ring being reached ■in 6min 54sec. It took 12niin 32scc to pen them.- . R. W. Trotter's Little Lady only ma*naged to head two of her. sheep, one breaking away, and. the run was abandaned.... ~, r S. Kennedy's Boss Jun. tl last year's winner, had. the bad luck to lose his sheep, two 6f them racing away over the hill as he Was approaching to head them, and the" dog was called, though he had followed and recovered tho two sheep. A drenching rain, accompanied by hail storms, was prevailing at this time. W. Charte's Moss went out very slackly, and crossed in heading, which was. accomplished only after 3min ssec had elapsed. The line taken bringing back was not good. The sheep were in the ring in 9min 16sec, but were allowed out once. At the yard the dog was not as steady ,as he might have been,, and though his style was good; the sheep were not penned when the timekeeper called. J. E. V. Chapman, jun.'s Help went out rather badly, and got beyond the sheep after heading them in 4min 35sec.' He raced them and split them, and was unable to get them together again. ■ W. Grieve's Cash failed to head his sheep as they divided before ho reached them, two. of them bolting away. R. W. Trotter's Border Qhiel went out a .bit slack, and headed in 2min 53sec. After getting the sheep off the-rocks he crossed in attempting to turn them, but finally got them clear. At lot of time was wasted in bringing them back. Though the sheep were kept on a good line, they were worked very slowly, and were not placed in the ring until 12min 30sec had elapsed. They were well held, but time wjbs called before the yard was reached.