ARARATA SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 8 June 1912, Page 6

ARARATA SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

(From a Correspondent.) At the Ararata sheep-dog trials, run under the auspices of the Egmont Sheep Dog Trial Club, on Wednesday, June 5, the weather was rough and the attendance small, but enthusiastic. The ground was nicely sheltered from the *md, and everything went off without a stop, and the three classes were got through before dark. The work done was of a very high standard. In the class for maiden man and dog, the dogs in every instance gave promise oi mucn better things if their owners had more command. The winning dog in this class put up a vary creditable run, and the second dog had hard luck in getting one sheep stuck in a bog they had to ■cross. ■, ~ In class two for maiden dogs the winner will undoubtedly be beard of agam. In the open class the work was the best heading seen in the district tor -a long time, and was a capital ob]ect]esson~in showing what a sheep-dog can do. The placed dogs in this class will probably all be competitors at the New Zealand championship meeting at Taka■pau during this month, and, judging by the work done here, they should not disgrace Taranaki. The following are the"results, with the judge's comments: CLASS I.—Judge, Mr T. A. Winks. Robertson's Spring, 1 (39 points).— Ban out slack. Took a little hunting out. Headed quietly in 3.20. Started pulling very quietly. Made one rash turn about half-way down the hill. Bit slack at'ring. Wink's Guide, 2 (24 points).—Ran out quietly, too slow. Crossed head in 3.5. Started sheep rashly. Pulled fairly well, with noise. One sheep got stuck in creek, which had to be crossed. Dog called off. Young's Lassie, 3 (23 points).—False start. Ran out quietly without assistance from man. Headed well in 2.5. Ringed sheep. Sheep made stubborn through dog working too close. Dog called off. Lindsay's Rough, 4 (19 points).—Ran out fairly well. Headed quietly in 2min. Started to pull rashly, with noise. Separated on.c sheep below the bush. Dog called off. CLASS 2.—Judge, Mr J. Hunter. W. Roberts' Glen, 1 (24 points).— Barked at start, but ran straight and free. Headed quietly in 1.10. Fast time. Slack, but steady in pull. Held very well but noisy. Completed in good time. Command fair. A very useful dog. T. A. Winks' Rough, 2 (23 points).— Ran out fair; barked. Headed quietly. Rash at start of pull, but did good work rest of run. Command fair. J. T. Young's Lassie, 3 (20 points).— Ran fair; headed close, but quiet; turned well, pulled steadily. Good style at times. With better command should be heard of later. W. Lindsay's Rough, 4 (19 points). —Ran fast and true. Almost a perfect head. Started well, but through lack of command owner was unable to get t\a best out of a dog with excellent qualities. CLASS lll.—Judge, Mr J. H. 'Baker. T. Winks' Nigger, 1 (41 points).— Ran out freely, slewed neatly, and headed sheep well. Pulled well, but barked several times. Fair command. Fair at ring. J. Blair's Flip, dead-heat, 2 (40 points^.—Ran out fairly well. Let sheep "iack wher» slewing. Headed a little too soon. Pulled well. Held well in ring. Mr J. Hunters Wobbler, dead-heat, 2 (40 points).--Ran out well. Slewed neatly. Pulled quietly and firmly. Good comma?id. Failed to ring on account of weak «Jieep. ( P. ( Tocker's Chum, 3 (37 points).— -Started well. Let sheej) go when slewing, cut one sheen off, but got it back. Headed well, pulled quietly, did good •Kork at ring, fair command.

Dun lop's Mac, 3 (37 points). —Started slack, tacked about, getting off the course and inclined to stop. Let sheep ito too far before heading, pulled fairly well, but let sheep off course, worked well at ring, fair command.

At the conclusion of the trials all liands assembled at the residence of Messrs Larcom Bros., on whose property the trials were held, when Mr James Baker, in a happy and neat -speech proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Larcom Bros, for the annual use of grounds and for their hospitality in providing hoe luncheon and afternoon tea to everyone, and to the ladies who so kindly assisted with the luncheon and tea v After a vote of thanks to Mr Tom. Winks for use of sheep and for boosting the trial along, all went iwrae satisfied that the trial was a thorough success in every way. Mr O. Robertson acted as timekeeper and Mr J. Blair as secretary. A feature of the meeting was the "entire satisfaction given by ihe judges in each class.