Two S.I. Sheepdog Titles Decided

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 7

Two S.I. Sheepdog Titles Decided

W. E. Hazlett, of Mossburn, Southland, put up the feature run of the day to win the South Island short head and yard title at the national sheep dog trials at Tai Tapu yesterday.

With his dog. Geordie, Hazlett was the 131st of the 148 competitors to run in that class. Many onlookers then forecast that his run would not be beaten, and their opinions were vindicated by the result. Geordie’s performance was described as the smoothest of the day. Only a quarter of a point behind Hazlett was N. W. Briggs, of Pleasant Point, who, with Glen, put up another excellent run. By a margin of half a

point, J. A. Rodgers, of Martinborough, with Lass, won the South Island long head from R. M. Wilson, of Kirwee, with Patch. Only two points separated the first seven placings. J. E. Hay, of Masterton, with his three-legged collie, Ike, took fourth placing. This dog will be seen in action again today when the New Zealand titles are decided.

All but three competitors have completed their first runs in the zig-zag huntaway event, which drew 116 entries. The last three will be run first thing this morning, thus completing the South Island title.

The seven leading dogs In the long head, short head and yard, and zig-zag huntaway will then compete for the New Zealand championships, beginning at 9 a.m. Yesterday’s results were:—

South Island Long Head (139 entries).—J. A. Roger’s (Martinborough) Lass, 971 points, 1; R. M. Wilson’s (Kirwee) Patch 97, 2; G. J. Brennan’s (Feiilding) Dick, 9M, 3; J. E. Hay’s (Masterton) Ike, 96J, 4; W. W. Ross’s (Rangiwahia) speed, 86, 5; R. Dixon's (Rangiora) Ben, 95i, 6; W. W. Ross's (Rangiwahia) Jet, 95i, 7. South Island Short Head and Yard (148 entries). —W. E. Hazlett’s (Mossburn) Geordle, 971 points, 1; N. W. Briggs's (Pleasant Point) Glen, 97i, 2; W. W. Ross’s (Rangiwahia) Jet, 97, 3; R. H. Davis’s (Ngongotaha) Dick, 961. 4; R. H. Davis's Boy, 951 5; 1.. J. Knight’s (Te Kuitl) Trek, 95i, 6; D. P. Harold’s (Pongaroa) Blue, 951, 7. The seven leading dogs in the zig-zag huntaway event, after 105 competitors had run, were: B. W. Murphy’s (Taranaki) Gleam, D. S. Morris’s (Cheviot) Vow, R. J. Christie's (Gore) Sharp, R N. Connor’s (Waipukurau) Jim, W. D. McSporran’s (Waipukurau) Guy, M. A. Lott’s (Garston) Jim, J. A. Rogers's (Martinborough) Wag.