DOG TRIALS AT TAI TAPU

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27073, 23 June 1953, Page 12

DOG TRIALS AT TAI TAPU

IDEAL COURSE FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

HEADING EVENTS BEGUN YESTERDAY

Dog trial enthusiasts from as far south as Tuatapere. Southland, to as far north as Kohukohu, Northland, competed in the first events at the South Island sheep dog trial championships at Tai Tapu yesterday. All the dogs which are competing at the trials have had to qualify at collie club trials. Several competitors who rah their dogs at the New Zealand championships last week also competed yesterday. The course at Tai Tapu is ideal for championships, as there are two courses running separate events, which can be seen simultaneously by spectators. The South Island Sheep Dog Trials Association considers that it was fortunate in being able to secure such a suitable course so near Christchurch. and one where events could be run and watched at the same time. Although the flat ground from where competitors worked their dogs was in a very soggy state after heavy rain during the week-end, the weather was fine.

A start was made on the long head and short head events, in which there were 62 competitors in each. The course for the long head event fully tested the ability of the dogs. Sheep were released on the brow of a hill which ran steeply down to the flat ground from where the dogs were sent on the 500 yards’ climb. It was a rigorous task, for by the time they had reached the top of the hill, they were at some disadvantage if the sheep became startled. Many dogs saw their sheep as soon as they were released from the top of the hill, and as a result these competitors made good casts but dogs which had not recognised the sheep tended to make their casts too short, and had to be redirected. Twelve minutes were allowed for completing this course. Although the sheep used were active hoggets, very rarely did any of the competing dogs split them apart during the drive down the steep hill face. Nevertheless, a considerable number did not keep the sheep on the move, a mistake which was one of the main causes of lost points in this event. Some very good work was also done in the short head event, which was run on a course of about 250 yards. As in the long head, sheep were released on a hill with an easy slope, and provided a much easier task for the dogs. At the foot of the hill, the sheen had to be guided through a number of pegs approximately a chain apart, through two hurdles and finally into a small pen This last task was the test of a dog’s skill and command, but practically all were able to finish in this event. Winner of 92 Awards One of the best-known dogs competing yesterday was Mac Again, owned by R. M. Wilson, of Kirwee. Now 12 years of age. Mac Again has won 92 first awards at district and championship trials during the last nine years. Included in these awards are three South Island championship titles, which he won in 1947, 1948 and 1949. In 1950 he came second in the same event, which was run at Tai Tapu, but he was at a disadvantage on this occasion. because of a badly injured foot. Mac Again never managed to win a New Zealand title, for he met the strongest competition from General Haig, a dog which won nine championship events, and was considered to be the best dog in New Zealand at that time. The appearance of Mac Again was watched with keen mterest. and he was undoubtedly an experienced veteran among many younger dogs. Another well performed dog at the trials was G. J. Brennan’s Bruce (Feildlng). This dog ran successfully in the long head championships at Taradale last week. M. A. Matheson (Middlemarch) was competing with his dog. Snow, which won the North Island short head championship last week, and gained third placing in the New Zealand event. W. E. Hazlett (Invercargill) was competing with Vic 11. which gained second placing in the North Island short head championship last week. The seven leading dogs in the first half of the long head yesterday were: N G MacKenzie’s Moss (Kohukohu, Northland), G. J. Brennan’s Bruce (Feilding), I. Anderson’s Clyde (Omarama), R. M. Wilson’s Trump (Kirwee). S. Herbert’s Boy (Palmerston North). E. Haines’s Moss (Burnham), and M. J. Greaney’s Spec (Oamaru). Leading dogs in the short head event were: G. Diver’s Spark (Otago). R, M. Wilson’s Trump. I Anderson’s Clyde, M A. Mathieson’s Snow (Middlemarch). W. E. Hazlett’s Vic II (Invercargill). J. H. Peter’s Peggy (Blenheim). Both the heading events are expected to be completed today.