SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16559, 25 May 1914, Page 3

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB

CONCLUDING DAY,

The Christchurch Sheep Dog Trial Club’s eighteenth annual competitions which took place at the Cashmere Hills were brought to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon. On the first two clays the weather conditions were very unfavourable, especially from a spectator’s point of view, since shepherds and their canine assistants aro supposed to be indifferent to climatic conditions, heavy rain accompanied by snow and hail having commenced on Wednesday. night and continued intermittently throughout the two following days. On Saturday morning, however, although there were not wanting those signs which indicated the probability of more rain, there was a great improvement, the rain having, ceased, and consequently the third day's operations were commenced under conditions which, by comparison any rate, must ho described as satisfactory. Nevertheless, forty-eight hours’ rain left the ground, grass and tussocks in a soaked state, and despite tho occasional glimpses of sunshine, the whole scene gave an impression of winter and the bleakness inseparable from that season.

On tho second day the first class, the heading, bringing back, holding in ring and yarding, was concluded, and a start was made with the huntawny, in which ten dogs went over their course, or rather as much of it ns they were ablo, as on'iv one reached the goal beyond the third set of poles. On Saturday that class was continued, there being still thirty-one to run. There was a small attendance when the trials commenced, but towards the close of tho competitions there were considerable accessions, including some ladies.

The following details:— HUNT AW AY, WITH SLEW, about 500yds. First prize £2O and champion medal, second prize £B, third prize £4, fourth prize £2, fifth prize £1 and club certificate. Time —9min. Points—Haulaway 6, un'der command 10, noise 8, style 0, total 30 points. Mr J. Chartres’s Rock took the sheep quietly through tho first poles, showing littlo forcing powers. Trouble commenced at the ditch, where the sheep were indifferently responsive, one repeatedly falling down from one cause or another. The sheep were still below the second poles when time was called.

Mr J. R. Macfarlane’s Toss took the sheep quietly towards the first set of poles, but then turned them on to the fiat, the dog being essentially a heading one rather than a huntaway. The full time was occupied in useless gyrations on the flat.

1 Mr H. G. Watters’s Yale worked nervously on the flat, but at this stage the sheep gave him little trouble, worki ing steadily and without much guidI mice towards the first poles, which were threaded in good time. The dog appeared dependent on his owner’s directions for every step he took, showing no initiative. Throughout lie acted under good command, and guided the sheep towards the seeoud set of poles, at length passing them through just below the upper pole. _Ho then showed a disposition to head, and some time was lost before much progress was made. The expiration of the time allowance saw the beep still a considerable distance from the winning post. i Mr A. -Erie’s Dark hunted the sheep vigorously through the first poles, which were threaded in 58sec. At the ditch tho sheep became troublesome, and it was not until the expiration of three minutes that this was successfully negotiated. An unnecessary detour to the right followed, and for some time the exhibition was somewhat farcical. Then the sheep bolted on to the fiat to the right and after 6min llsec, tho owner recognising defeat, left the ring.

Air T. Sheridan’s Bob kept at some distance from the sheep, his farcing not being strong. The sheep at this stage showed no disposition to contrariness, and tho first poles were passed in fair timo. The dog hunted the sheep some distance along the ditch, then crossed, hut throughout showed carelessness. In due time tho second stage of the journey was completed, this distance occupying 7min. When time was called the sheep Were half way between the second and third sets of notes.

Mr J. B. Purdue’s Tip worked widely on the flat, but the sheep required little persuasion, and the first polos were passed in good time. The ditch was passed without hesitation, and good progress was made for the second set. These were threaded by. two in excellent time, but one sheep passed outside. A second attempt had a similar result, and Mr Purdue retired after Cmiix Bsec.

| Mr W. Robinson’s Glen, with plenty J of noise, hunted the sheep towards the ; first poles, but one passed outside, and 1 some wild manoeuvring followed in attempts to rectify this partial failure, the sheep covering much ground. The dog’s style was unsatisfactory. After : extensive evolutions the first poles were I at length successfully threaded, but not i without the loss of much valuable time. The sheep were taken by a good line towards the second poles, the dog working more steadily than in the early stages, and tlieso were passed in good style. Just afterwards time was called, j Mr, S. Kennedy’s Glen worked at ! some distance from the sheep, showing ! a lack of style. The sheep were allowed to wander at their own sweet will, and virtually without guidance they passed through the first set of poles. Over the ditch the sheen were allowed to go too far to the right, and considerable time was lost ere any further progress was made, the dog’s work not being attractive from any point of view 'Satisfied that there was no' prospect of completing the course, the i owner left the ring after 7min 3sec. Mr R. Innes’s Wag worked some disi tance from tho sheep, and some con- | eider able time was lost before the first i pc le.s were passed. Then good progress was made upwards, hut the sheep were taken rather too far to tho right, and the second poles were threaded in good ■ time" Progress was interrupted immediately afterwards, the sheep refusing to proceed, and tho sheep wore far from the goal when tune was called, i Mr W Carney s fetorm was . inclined ; to*view tlio sheep from a distance, but they rrave littlo trouble, and the | first stave of the course was completed | in aood'timo. Dilatory work followed j ! a t the ditch, tho sheep standing for a j considerable time.. When the clog came into close proximity to them he , hunted them,far to tho right and the return journey was somewhat tedious i tho dog working at a distance, and j time was called when tho sheep wero j SiM en route for tho second poles. Mr J F. Lang’s Clyde’s huntaway \ prowess was not prominent in tho early I 1 .+ rif tho proceedings, but the sheep Tor. kindly Sisposnd and the first polo, j * nneecd in fair tune, iho dog cWed slackness after passing the ditch S°d allowed the sheep to get too far ana .. Thcv became stuck be'and were still there i *;«ia wns called. > W Af 1 \\ W Trotter's Quid experienced 1 +l".nnhle in getting the sheep through t fir<;t poles, and thereafter he huntthc first 1 oyer t | le Then the Vlg hncame stubborn, and some time sheep b fore they could bo induced was lost overcoming this difficulty, t 0 proceed. Ujver towards t ,f 0 > he wot fijgjj wero threaded withsecond P° 'ff or t. Some progress upout g rea ac j c the dog showing more wards wasi n»aac, opeiling) b £ t did n not F rinit ° f th ° COllrS ° beinS finished.

Mr M. B. Forrester’s Bright rushed the sheep about a little as soon as they were liberated, but little time was lost in negotiating the first poles. After a momentary pause at the ditch, fair progress was made towards the second poles, which were passed in good time. The dog then left the sheep, recovering them after they had wandered uphill some distance. One of the trio was apparently weak, and showed a disposition to drop out. The dog, however, persisted, hut all the sheep missed tile poles. Mr R. W. Trotter’s Roy convoyed the sheep through the first poles in good time, and without experiencing much trouble. Only slow work was made towards the second set, tlm dog separating the sheep. The second poles successfully passed, ho worked uphill with plenty of noise, but the course pursued was not a good one, being too far to the right, and the course was far from complete when time was called. Mr G. M’Aughtrie’s Bob hunted the sheep with considerable zest, and passed the first pole with little loss of time. Tiie sheep wore then allowed to get too far to the right, and some time ivas lost in getting them back to the proper course. The second poles wore duly threaded, but then the sheep were allowed to get too low down, but they were gradually worked uphill again, the sheep being placed in a good line. The dog did not show much strength, letting the sheep get somewhat high. Brought back, the sheep wore convoyed through the final poles in Bmin 44sec. Mr J. Lang’s Boxer was lucky in getting the sheep through tho first, poles, as lie lent no assistance to that end. He then brought tho sheep back on to tho fiat, where there was a farcical display which evoked loud laughter. The exhibition closed after 3min 4oscc.

Mr R. Weir’s Clyde passed the sheep through’ the first poles on an angle, then separated them, and the owner left the ring after 2min 40sec. Mr H. T. Little’s Laddie got the sheep through the first poles after some mi necessary runs, and they were quickly placed on the far side of the ditch. The sheep were separated, and in passing the second poles one went outside, after which the three were again brought down to the pen, and My Little then left the ring after Gmiii 20sec. Mr T. White’s Tome showed much vigor, but little judgment, immediately scattering tho sheep, and tho owner left the ring after a mediocre effort, extending over 3min 34seo. Mr J. F. Lang’s Chance had an easy task as far as the first polos were concerned, the sheep passing through virtually unaided. Over the ditch the dog separated tho sheep aud scorned indifferent about reuniting them, showing no style, being rather inclined to head than to huntaway. The' sheep then got to the right and the owner left tho ring after 6min Slsec, tho sheep being then wandering various ways in units. Mr J. Fisher’s Gyp hunted the sheep quickly through the first poles and crossed the ditch after some delay. His control of the sheep was not strong, and they were not slewed sufficiently early, being allowed to ascend too far. The result was that the sheep missed the top polos and the attempt to complete was abandoned after Gmin 6sec.

Mr A Ede’s Maid, after some running about, threaded tho poles iii good time, the dog showing somo stylo. There was a slight stop at the ditch, but once this was crossed steady progress was made towards the second set, although tho lino was not a good one. Tho second stage of the journey was responsible for an unattractive display, .much rushing being included. Ultimately the sheep returned to the flat, and tho owner left the ring after Gmin 52sec.

Mr Fitzgerald's Lassie at once rushed the sheep to the right and the owner left the ring after lmin 17sec. Mr G. Lang’s Fly let the sheep get far to the right, and the owner’s quaint directions evoked peals of laughter from the spectators, who thoroughly enjoyed the comic element. The exhibition lasted 4min lOsec.

Mr W. Carney’s Meed showed but little forcing power, but the sheep were not troublesome, and tho first polos were negotiated in fair time. Then the sheep worked towards the second polos, tho dog’s, assistance not being material or specially well directed, and those were threaded without incident. Fair progress was made towards the final poles, and the course was completed in Bmin 59$ec.

Tho following are the judge’s awards: —

j. Morgan’s Cope, 6, 10, 8, 5 . .29 J. W. Pollock’s Mattie, 6,9, 8, 5 .28 M. Carney’s Meed, 6,9, 8, 4 . .27 G. M’Aughtrie’s Bob, 5,9, 8, 4 .2G M. B. Forrester’s Bright, 5,9, 7 . 25 R. M. Trotter’s Roy, 4,8, 7, 4 .23 R. M. Trotter’s Quid. 4,8, 7, 4 .23 H. G. Waters’s Yale, 4. 8,7, 4 .23 T. Sheridan’s Bob, 4,8, 7, 4 . .23 R. R, Pollock’s Clyde, 4,0, 7, 4 .21 T. Sheridan’s Tyke, 3, G, 4, 3 . . 16 R. Innes’s Mag, 3. 6,4, 3 . .16 J. W. Clarke’s Gaol, 4,5, 4, 3 .16 J. Craig’s Sharp, 3,4, 4,2 . ,13 M. Robinson’s Glen, 2,4, 4,2 .12 M. Hogg’s Noel, 2,4, 4, 1 . .11 G. M’Aughtrie’s, Brandy, 0,0, 0, 0 0 R. Weir’s Clyde, 0,0, 0, 0 . . 0 S. Kennedy’s Glen, 0,0, 0, 0 . .1 0 J. R. Macfarlane’s Toss, 0,0, 0, 0 . 0 A. Ede’s Dark, 0,0, 0, 0 ' . . 0 J. B: Purdue’s Tip, 0,0, 0, 0 . . 0 J. Chartres’s Rock, 0,0, 0, 0 . , O W. Carney’s Storm, 0. 0,0, 0 ,0 JF. Lang’s Clyde, 0,0, 0, 0 . .0 W. Grieve’s Swift, 0,0, 0, 0 . .0 G. Lang’s Boxer, 0,0, 0, 0 . .0 T. Johnston’s Scott, 0,0, 0, 0 . O H. T. Little’s Laddie, 0,0, 0, 0 ,0 T. White’s Tarrie, 0,0, 0, 0 .0 JF. Lang’s Chance, 0,0, O, 0 .0 A. Edo’s Maid, 0,0, 0, 0 . . 0 J. Fitzgerald’s Lassie, 0,0, 0, 0 .0 G. Lang’s Fly, 0,0, 0, 0 . .0 J Fisher’s Gyp, 0,0, 0, 0 * . 0

Oh! health is wealth, and life is long, And earth is fairer, too; When man is fit and well The skies are always blue. So guard your health, your joy increase, Your life from ills secure; From pain and trouble win surcease With Moods’ Great Peppermint Cura, 9