Girl, aged 12, dog trialist

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32634, 16 June 1971, Page 19

Girl, aged 12, dog trialist

CN.Z. Press Association) WHANGAREI, June 15. The appearance of Claire Thompson, aged 12, with her dog Tweed in the straight huntaway event, was a highlight of the opening day of the thirty-third New Zealand Sheep dog trials at Te Ahu Ahu yesterday. Claire, whose father, Mr G. Thompson, a noted Northland dog trial enthusiast and one of the officials in the championships had a particularly good run. She has been training sheepdogs for the last three years but this is the first year that she stepped out into competition, let alone the national championships. She qualified for the championship by gaining places at both the Broadwood and Mangonui trials. More than 300 competitors, and at least 600 entries are in the championships. It is expected that 140 dogs will run each day until Friday. Results

Class 1. long head.—J Mant’s Speed (Pate); H. Corklll’s Lou (Te Awamutu), R. M. Ries’s Sue (Kalwaka), E. A. Prall’s Dick (Taumarunui), R. M. Wilson’s Patch (Klrwee), B. F. Hill's Criba (Hastings), G. Woolaston’s Glen (Talhape). Class 2. short head.—R. S. Whiteman’s Keen (Talhape), M. B. Leslie’s Spring (Ohaupo), W. V. Kerr’s Sly (North Otago), R. O. Berkahr’s Peg (Hastings), A. G. Dixon’s Dictator (North Canterbury), F. A. Henricksen’s Chief (Dannevirke). W. W. Ross’s Midge (Ranglwahla). Class 3, zig zag huntaway.—T. Dewe'a Chief (Taupo), R. S. Guthle’a McHardy (Masterton), W. J. Cunningham’s Buck (Geraldine), I R. Churchhouse’s John Bull (Dannevirke), T. E. Hayes’s Dark (Pio Pio), D. A. B. Morrison’s Clan (Pahlatua). J. L. Bartlett’s Plug (Huntervllle). Class 4, straight huntaway. A R. Clayton-Greene's Rex (Wairoa). G. Woolaston’s Rough (Talhape), D. E. Woodhill’s Dock (Akaroa), W. B. Donaldson’s King (Taumarunui), B. P. Gower’s Turk (Eltham), J. G. Calder's Jack (North Canterbury), K M. Black’s Black (Napier).