SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16558, 23 May 1914, Page 17

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB,

SECOND DAT. Tho Christchurch. Sheep Dog Trial Club’s eighteenth annual competitions were continued at tho Cashrooro Hills yesterday morning, commencing at nino o’clock, when tho remaining dogs in tho heading, bringing back, holding ill ring and yarding class wore given an opportunity to demonstrate heir working capabilities. On tlm first day twenty-five dogs.passed in review under tho judge’s experienced eyo, and of these but three succeeded in accomplishing tho full task of penning tho sheep, many of the dogs giving mediocre displays. The night proved an unusualiy boisterous ono for tho time of the year, rain, snow and hail falling at intervals, with the result that when morning dawned the outlook was far from encouraging, tlm country being in a thoroughly soaked condition. During the morning showers fell at intervals, and when the trials were resumed at nine o’clock the prospects were anything but bright. However, it was decided to continue the competitions, and the signal was given to commence operations. The tussocks on the hillside where tho work was done were in a saturated state, making the dogs’ work far from pleasant, but whilst this was the case tho effect on the sheep was to make them much less sprightly, and consequently the clogs’ working powers were not called into such frequent and constant requisition as would have been tho case had other conditions prevailed. The weather was somewhat less cold than on the previous day, but a canopy of fog hung over the hilltops during tho greater part of tho day. Naturally the weather conditions detrimentally affected the attendance, and when the trials commenced the spectators were limited almost entirely to officials and competitors, but in the afternoon a number, braving the elements, put in an appearance, although necessarily tho attendance was much below that of previous years, and what it would undoubtedly have been under more auspicious circumstances. The remainder of the dogs in the first class were put through their trials, but only a solitary one, Mr J. W. Pollock’s Chance, . succeeded in completing the course, thus making four out of thirtyeight in the class. When the judge announced his decision it was found that two dogs had tied with 35 points, and then followed one wjth 33, one with 31 and two with 28, and these, according to the rules, wore required to have a second run. Mr J. W. Pollock’s Bob was tho first to essay the task, and gave a good performance, scoring 38 points, which, added to those obtained in his first run, brought his total to 73, immediately placing him in a very strong position. Mr Robinson’s Jem also gave’a good performance, securing 25 points. Mr J. K. Purduo’s Lochic) Ivop was not a success, only securing G points. Then came Mr R. W. Trotter’s Storm,, who secured 36 points, his performance being an excellent one. Mr R. R. Pollock's Border Tweed scored 36 points, which ultimately placed him in the second position. The last to run was Mr J. W. Pollock’s Chance, who scored 15 points. The final result placed Mr J. W. Pollock’s Bob at the head of tho list with 73 noints, second place going to Mr R„ 'R. Pollock’s Border Tweed with 67 points.

The following are details: — HEADING, BRINGING BACK, HOLDING IN RING AND YARDING, about 300 yards.—First prize £2O and champion gold medal, second prize £B, third prize £4, fourth prize £2, fifth prize £l. Time—ls minutes. . Points—Heading 8. under command 8, bringing back 8, holding one minute in ring 6, stylo at yard 6, yarding 4; total 40

points. Air Jt. It. Pollock’s Border Tweed made a wide east to the left and ascended the hill very deliberately, and headed the sheep in 2min lOsec. Avoiding the rocks the sheep were brought down rather too far to the loft, tho dog keeping rather far away from the sheep. On the flat tho dog work- ' ed quietly and with judgment, and the ' sheep were ringed in. Grain 32sec,. At tho pen the sheep were circled round | the yard several times, and showed much stubbornness, although tho dog I worked well throughout. Tho sheep were never in a position where penning appeared likoly to result, and they were still unyarded when time was called. Mr H. G. Waters’s Coil, working under fair command, ascended the hill rather too far to tho right. He crossed in heading, turning the sheep in 2min .'3l sec, ana they were then fairly high up. The clog worked jerkily when coming down and scattered tlio sheep, but reunited them. He. was fortunate in having good sheep, otherwise probably greater trouble would have eventuated. When tho sheep reached the flat they were in a fairly exhausted condition, and some wild rushes took place. So far the dog was decidedly lucky. The sheep were steadied in the ring in Bmin 3Gsec. Between the ring and *he yard the clog rushed tho sheep considerably, splitting them, but luck continued to attend him, reunion being quickly brought about. One sheep momentarily collapsed from exhaustion. Tho call, of time put an end to a mediocre performance. Mr J. W. Pollock’s Chance made a good cast, keeping a nice line, nnd headed in Train 33sec. The clog brought tho sheep down by an excellent line, working, however, somewhat too fast. Complications were narrowly averted at the ditch, the sheep becoming parted, but once they wero reunited they were expeditiously conveyed to the ring, where they were steadied in 6min 44sec. The clog worked steadily at the yard, never letting tho sheep circle the pen, and several times it looked as if yarding would be accomplished early. However, the owner’s patience was ultimately rewarded, tho sheep being penned in 12min 12sec. This competitor was the fourth clog to complete, the course.

Air J. Chartres’s Rock made a wido cast, and ascended the hill by a zig-zag course. Ho crossed in heading., and it was not until tho expiration of smin Gsec that the sheep wero turned, much time being lost in unnecessary evolutions, tho work done so far being poor. Coming down bill the dog worked better but at the ditch he allowed the sheep to get much too far to the right, and the owner left tho ring after an indifferent performance extending over Drain 4(hoc.

Mr H. T. Little’s Ken mado a good cast, although slightly wide, and after covering much unnecessary ground headed the sheep in 4min 45sec—a slow head indeed. From this point tho dog worked tho sheep downwards, hut they soon separated, and worked to tho right, where they entered the rocks. After Grain 35sec Air Little left tho ring.

Air J. Fitzgerald’s Bob mado a slow east, wandered erratically on tbo hillside, hung round tho upper yards, but at long length found tho sheep and crossing in heading, turning iheni in i min lOsec. 110 lost tho sheep among tho rooks for some time, but soon after recovering them tho sheep separated. Getting them together again lie rushed them on to tho flat, and the sheep wero steadied in the ring in 14rniu. Tho course was not completed when time, was called. Mr T. Sheridan’s Joel ascended tho hill by an almost direct line, but before reaching tlio sheep went to tho right lor some distance. The sheep were headed in 2min 3sec, but the dog crossed in doing so, and worked down steadily, tho dog having tho sheep well in hand. They wero ringed in Grain s sec. At the yard tlio dog’s control of tho sheep was weak, and ho showed some independence of command. When

time was called tlie sheep were still outside. Mr A. Edo’s Rock made a slow cast by a fair line, and headed in 3min 48scc. Tlie sheep wore brought down by a fair line, without any unnecessary running ahead, and they wore steadied in the ring in 9min 20soc. At tlio yard tho dog worked rashly, chasing the sheep about considerably. Stylo was entirely wanting. When time was called the sheep were still outside. Tho following are tho judge's points:— J. W. Pollock’s Bob, 7,7, 7,5, 5, 4 35 J. W. Pollock’s Chance., 7,7, 6, 5 6, 4 . . . . .35 J. B. Purdue’s Lochiel Kep, 7,7, 6,5, 5, 3 33 R. R. Pollock’s Border Twqed, 7,7, 7,6, 4, 0 . . . . . 31 W. Robinson’s Jem, 7,6, 6,5, 4,0 28 11. W. Trotter’s Storm, 6,6, 7,6, 3, 0 28 J. W. Pollock’s Sharp, 7, (5, 6,5, 3, 9 27 G. M’Aughtuc’s Tyne, 8,5. 3,3, 4, 3 26 T. Sheridan's Jed, 3,5, 7,5, 5, 025 W. Luinsden’s Lochiel Speed, 8,6, 6,0, 4, 0 24 A. Edo’s Rock, 5,5, 6, 4, 3, 0 . 23 AY. Chartres’s Moss, 3. 5, G, 5,4, 0 23 R, W. Trotter’s Border Chid, 7,6, 3,6, 0, 0 . . . . 22 A. Houliston’s Clyde, 8,5, 4,0, 0,0 17 T. Sheridan Tib, 8,4, 3,0, 0, 0 . 15 J. Fitzgerald’s Boh, 2,4, 4. 5,0, 0 15 H. G. Waters’s Coil, 3,3, 4. 3,2, 0 15 J. Morgan’s Joy, 7,4, 3,9, 0, 0 . 14 H. T. Little’s Ken, 0, 4. 2,0, 0, 0 12 J. B. Purdue’s Glen, 6,3, 2,0, 0, 0 11 W. Robinson’s Cluel, 8,3, 0,0, 0, 0 11 E. V. Chapman, juu.’s Tip, 2, 4 5 0,0, 0 . . . . . 11 J. Chartres’s Border Moss, 7,3, 0,0, 0. 0 .... 10 R. R. Pollock’s Tip, 7,3, 0,0, 0. 0 10 H. G. Waters’s Scott, U, 3,0, 0, 0, 0 . . . ’ . . .9 J. Forrester’s Novas, 3. 3,2, 0. 0, 0 S J. JO. V. Chapman, jnn.’s Help, 5,3, 0. 0. 0.0 . . . .8 J. B. Purdue’s Lochiel Don, 3,3, 0. 0,0, 0 .. . . . 6 R. W. Trotter's Littlo Lady, 0,0, 0,0, 0, 0 . . . . .0 S. Kennedy’s Boss Junior, 0,0, 0, 0, 0,0. . . . . 0 W. Grieve’s Cash. 0, 0. 0. 0, 0. 0 . 0 H. T. Little’s Jack, 0,0, 0,0, 0. 0 0 J. Chartres’s Rock, 0,0, 0,0, 0,0 . 0 According to tho club’s conditions tho six dogs scoring tho most points aro given a second run, and tho prizes are awarded to tho fivo dogs scoring tho highest aggregates in tho two ruiis. Tho following aro details of tho second runs:—

Mr J. W. ■ Pollock’s Bob (35 in first run), headed in Imin 44sec, reaching tho sheep by an excellent line. Ho got tho sheep into a troublesome place at tho ditch, but safely overcoming this tho sheep wero brought to the ring steadily, where they wero steadied inTrain lOsec. At the pen ho displayed much keenness, and tho sheep were penned in llmin lOsec. Mr W. Robinson’s Jem (28 in the first run) went up slowly, allowing tho sheep to get far to the left, but headed in lmin 47sec. Some time was lost before the downward journey was commenced, and some trouble was experienced at the rocks. Once away from those tho sheep were headed down hill, but the course followed was by no meins good, the dog’s pulling style being poor, and many of the evolutions were resultless. Later the sheep got beyond tlio yard, and it was not until 9min 42sec had elapsed that tho sheep wero steadied in the ring, but they 'were not hold. The call of time found the sheep outside. Air J. B. Purdue’s Lochiel Kep (33 in the first run) mado an uneven cast, and came round below tho sheep, which ho did not.seo for some time. Ho ultimately headed in 3min 2osec, and shortly afterwards the sheep separated, but were soon reunited, only to separate again. Air Purdue left tbe ring after ffmin oOseo.

Air R. W. Trotter’s Storm (28 in the first run) ascended tlio hill by a fairly good line, hut after reaching the sheep lost some time before turning, this part of tho task occupying 2inin 26sec. The dog worked downhill slowly, but steadily, the sheep giving little trouble. Tho ring stage was successfully passed after an effort extending over Drain 2Gsec’. The dog worked under good command and tho sheep were yarded in 13min 29see. Air R. It. Pollock’s Border Tweed (31 in the initial run) mado a wido cast, and headed in 2min 20scc. The downward journey was not characterised by speed, the dog generally remaining at ft distance from the sheep. AYhen near tho flat tho speed became slightly accelerated, tho sheep, however, giving little trouble. They were steadied in the ring in Train 15sec, but broke away immediately thereafter. At tho pen tho dog worked gently at first, but later there was somo rushing about. Tho sheep wero penned after Llmin 39soc.

Air J. AV. Pollock’s Chance (35 in tho first run) was tho last dog to run. Ho mado a good cast, covering littlo unnecessary ground, and headed tho sheep in lmin lOsec. Tho sheep were brought down by a good lino as far as tlio ditch, where progress was impeded owing to ono of tlio sheep dropping out. Shortly afterwards two broke away to the right, and Air Pollock left the ring after Grain 34sec. Tlio final result was : J. AY. Pollock’s Bob, 8,7, 7,6, 6,

I—3S; first run 35—73 . . 1 It. R. Pollock’s Border Tweed, 7,8, 8,4, 5,4 —3 G; first run 31 —G 7 . 2 It. AY. Trotter’s Storm, 7,7, 8,4, (>, 4—30; first run 28—34 . 3 AA T . Robinson’s Jem, 8,6, 5,3, 3, 0 25; first run 28—53 . . .4 J. AY. Pollock’s Chance, 8, 4. 3, 0,0, 0—15; first run 35—50 . 5 J. B. Purdue’s Lochiel Kep, 3,3, 0,0, 0, 0—0; first run 33—89 . 6

HUNT AW AY, WITH SLEW, about 500 yards. First prHe £2O and champion medal, second prize £B, third prize £4, fourth prize £2, fifth prize £1 and club certificate. Time—9min. Points—Hiintnwav 0, under command 10, noiso 8, style 6; total 30 points. Mr G. M’Aughtrie’s Brandy passed tho sheep betAveen the first poles almost without effort in 50sec, but at the ditch they i>roved refractory, coming to a standstill and ignoring the dog’s efforts, and the second sot of polos Avere still in tho distance when time was called.

Mr M. Hogg’s Noel, after some rushing about, threaded tho first poles in ssec. Somo difficulties were overcome at tho ditch '” and somo progress was mado towards the second set, through which they were piloted in 4min 7sec. Tho sheep then worked back, but after a time Avere again brought intp proximity of tho second poles, and tho course was not moro than half finished Avhen tho owner abandoned the trial, calling off his dog after eight minutes.

Mr T. Johnston’s Scott paid much moro attention to his master than to the sheen and instead of hunting away the sheep brought them back to tho yard, and tho attempt was abandoned after 2inin losee.

Mr J. Craig’s Sharp kept at some distance from the sheep, *Avhich, lioavever,- worked steadily towards tho first poles, which were threaded in 3min 12sec. Tho dog showed Aveak forcing powers, exercising control over tho sheep, which, hoAvever, missed the .second set of poles, and tho call of time immediately afterwards ended tho performance.

Mr R. R. Pollock’s Clyde experienced no difficulties in passing tho sheep between the first poles in lmin 35sec, hut left them soon .afterwards. On recovering them a moA r e was mado toAvards the second set of poles, which wero successfully negotiated in 4min 7sec. Below the rocks tho dog made some unnecessary excursions, leaving tho sheep meamvhile. After getting tho sheep above the rocks littlo progress was made, and the call of time saAV tho sheep a considerable distance from the goal. Mr W. Grievo’s Swift rushed tho sheep away to ilto left! and tho oAvner ga\ p e up tho attempt to complete the course after Irnin 14-sec. Mr T. Sheridan’s Tyke was not asked. to extend himself in tho early part of tho journey, tho sheep passing through Avithout any trouble. From hero Tyke Avorked steadily, but there Avns a lack of speed. One of the sheep then began to slioav tiredness, and a disposition to drop out, thus impeding progress. Tho second poles A\'ero negotiated in smin 30sec. The dog then separated the sheep, and somo Avild manoeuvring followed, but they Acero still sundered when time, Avas called. Mr J. Morgan’s Cope passed tho sheep through tho first poles almost Avithout effort in quick time. At tho ditch tho dog, momentarily lost tho sheep, and on finding them they Avero on. the point of threading the second sot. Tho sheep took a good lino for the third set of poles, but going rather high. Howevor, they Avere brought back and successfully piloted to the end of the course in 7min 35sec. There was a considerable element of luck in fho whole performance.

Air J. AY. Clarke’s Gael passed the first poles Ayith comparatively little trouble, and with no loss of time. Oneo over tho ditch the sheep wandered to tho right, the dog's, efforts to prevent them proving unavailing. Slow progress A\-.as made tOAvards tho second poles, AA-liich Ave-re ultimately passed. Immediately afterwards time A\*as called. Mr J-. AY. Pollock’s Tip Avont out as the light AA'as beginning to fail. Virtually AA’ithout assistance tho sheep passed between, the first poles, and then they steadily worked uphill. The dog then headed and split them, later passing them through tho second set of poles. Then ono of tho sheep fell, hut later recovered. Tayo first passed through tho final polos, and later the third followed suit, the A\diolo course occupying 9n\in 12see.

Tho competitons will bo continued at nine o’clock this morning, and it is expected that they Avill be completed shortly after noon.