N.Z. DOG TRIALS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29228, 11 June 1960, Page 7

N.Z. DOG TRIALS

Strong Winds Affect Running

(From Our Own Reporter)

BLENHEIM, June 10. Strong winds affected running in the long-head class at the New Zealand sheep dog trial championships at Blenheim today.

While there was bright sunshine all day, the north-west wind was funnelled up the valley and caused the sheep being handled on the hill to veer off course, making control by the dogs extremely difficult. Liberation of the sheep was hard to make evenly. In the long head, there were no runs today which equalled those of the top dogs in the previous three days. The short head and straight huntaway events were relatively unaffected by the wind. The two heading events are virtually completed and the final runoff for the New Zealand long head championship is scheduled for 10 a.m. with the short head at 12.30 p.m.

The straight huntaway is also nearing the end and the run-off is likely to begin early in the afternoon.

Running was speeded up today on the heading courses and the judges began calling off competitors with heavy losses of points in the early stages of the run.

Conditions in the long head were "atrocious,” the judge (Mr R. M. Wilscn said, "Anyone striking the draw today was unlucky. It was tough for the liberators, and they did a great job under the conditions.”

With seven entries to go, the top seven dogs in the long head class so far are unchanged from yesterday. In the short head class, Mr F. Stedman (Taihape), the judge, said there was a big Improvement in the sheep which allowed for better work and the wind did not affect the sheep or the dogs. The general standard was improved. With seven entries to go, the top dogs so far are: T. E. Barwell (North Canterbury), Fay; H. W. Dorset (Manawatu), Jane; A. G. Stead (Hastings), Patch; C. J. Crutchley (Ranfurly), Bob; C. R. C. Mackay (Gore), Wait; L. C. Gallien (Waipukurau), Don; J. D. Boon (Taihape) King. The judge of the straight huntaway (Mr T. S. Latter, Oxford), said more good work had been done today. “It was a very successful event so far with probably 70 per cent, of the dogs completing the course. The standard was generally high. The sheep were light but were behaving well with careful handling.” With 89 runs completed out of 116 entries the top seven dogs are: L. M. Kerr (Southland), Mac: K. L. Stachwell (Waipukurau), Rusty; R. M. Wilson (Kirwee), Tip; R. U Harris (Kaikoura), Tim; E. F. Burch (Te Awamutu), Wag: N. T. Barton (Blenheim). Typo; E. W. Brown (Waipukurau), Lomond.