SMEEP-DOG TRIALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 5

SMEEP-DOG TRIALS

MARLBOROSJGH-NELSON CHAMPIONSHIPS STIFF TEST FOR BOGS WIN FOR. KAIKOURA * COMPETITOR A stiff test was sot the dogs ;n C.ass 3 (huntaway and s.ew) ol the Miuiffi..-ougii-Nelson Sheep-dog A asocial ion s trials which was decided at Mi' A. E. Max's property at lirightwater yesterday. According to the judge, Mr R. Lines of Springfield, it was a really good huntaway course, providing a difficult test for the dogs, and exceptionally fine work was done. Only two points separated the first lour placed lOinpotitors. The trials have been a great source of interest to country folk and some townspeople too. T here have been lai ge entries to get off, seventeen competitors in the first class, 39 in the second, and 41 in the third. Glorious weather has favoured the trials, and yesteidaj was beautifully fine and calm. A long line of cars ranged across Mr Max s paddock and the dogs’ workings were followed with critical comment. A pleasant afternoon can he spent in the beautiful country surroundings, with the mountains standing out sharply in the clear, autumn air, watching the dogs shepherding the sheep up die hillside between the poles alert tor every whistle and gesture ol their masters' The experienced dogs worked cautiously. following their masters command's, but one or two younger ones were in frisky mood and tried to m.-ui their charges through in a moment. Some sheep were in stubborn, lighting mood, and gave the dogs trouble Tn one ease they gained a ledge am o stinatolv refused to budge. It the clog approached too near they pmved at him and even charged. Then the tune lnnu expired, and as if with deliberate peiverseness the sheep went through the Decs as docile as lambs. . i The final class (head, bring back and yard) was decided to-day in glonous Vesterday's event resulted as follows:

Class 3. Huntaway and slew. Ist £lO, 2nd £5, 3rd £2 10s, 4th £1 ss, sth 12s 6d. and cups. Points, hunlinvav 25. slew, command 10, noise 15, to . II Riddle’s (Kaikoura) "Tip : 20.91, 10, 15, 59£• F Lines’s (Sherry River) Jock . .15. '94, 94, 15, 59 . TV-v; a Giles’ (Clarence Bridge) Risk . 25, 94, 9. 15, 584 '.v j u Mead’s (Iliwipsngo) Joan . 25, 9,9, 15, .58 J Borlaee’s (Spring Grove) l.m ( 25, 9, 84, 15, 574. : " The following special pnzes h.im bC Mr Ml'ilope's special of 10s for maiden competitors scoring most points m class 1: Mr C. W. Christian. \j r G \Y. McDonald s cup lot J lCa^ maiclcn dog in .class. 2: Mr John Brown’s “Nod Kelly. Mr 11. D. Pa ton’s challenge cup. tor novice competiton m class 2: M. ''mi- B. Stalker’s snecial of 10s for maiden competitors: Mr Ivor llawkes. notes on the winners CLASS 2 First Mr J. Brown's (Totara Hat) “Ned Kelly” : The dog was going out well but stopped a quarter of the MS up. It stopped near the slip, and went out a little bit wide to the Jolt ed just before the lence and headed in 2min 30sec. Tice sheep came away rruh- «■ fast, due to no fault ol the dog. he do" was lifting very carelully, but me sheen broke to'the right. The dog then recovered but was inclined to come too much to the left, swinging the sheep to the r>'ght. The sheep landed on the fiat nice and quiet and entered the ring at the front door. They were steadied at- the first attempt in Bmm 20sec. Second, Mr F. Barclay s (Little Liver) “King”: The dog cast to the leit, but stopped at the foot of the lull. It wa s redirected and was going steadily on a good cast. The dog took the sheep up through the middle of the slip, was inclined to overrun the sheep and headed in 3min 37see. The sheep were racing but the dog blocked them at the rocks. It was not listening too well to the commands. The sheep were racing onto the fiats and took the wrong tun. after passing the stones. .The dog stopped the sheep on the right. hand corner of the ring; it was too light m the ring and steadied in 6miu slsec. Third, Mr S. Barclay's (Little River) “Rax” : The dog cast to the left, redirected, and was too tight outside the ring. It was going in oil cast at scrub, stopped and redirected. It was going in against command at the tree, got out again, in under slip, checked, redirected. but was inclined to go in oil cast. It headed in 2min 2Jsec. inn sheep started nicely, going in on lair line and then got a shade oft the line but the dog was holding well. llm sheep raced over the flat past the hue.-, of the ring, were caught, worked nicely into the back of the ling, and steadied in 7min. CLASS 3 First. Mr 11. Riddle’s (Kaikoura) “Tip” : The dog took them straight from tiie pens through the polos, and had a good grip of the sheep all the wav through, and completed the course in 7min 22sec. , , Second, Mr F. Lines s (Sherry luvei) “Jock” : The sheep went through tho middle, between the first poles, in 5j seconds. The dog made good progress through tho middle, of the second notes in 3iiiin lOsee. The dog was not doing any unnecessary work, hul the sheep were sticking the dog up between the second and third polos, but the dog was standing up to I hem well and got. t hem away. Tt, had to nurse them reaching the third poles, and one was inclined to knock up. They were through the top poles in Bmin 35scc.

MARLBOROUGH-NELSON ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

The annual meeting of the Marlbor-ough-Nelson Sheep-dog ’irial Association was held at Bright water last- evening. I\lr n. V. Monro, president, was m the chair, and there were also present : Messrs It. C. Grigs:. M. B. Hope (Blenheim), J. Jdilligan (Oiniln), A Adair (Kaikoura), A. Kinzett, G. Biggs (lapawera), R. C. Gibbs (Maruia), Barclay (Little River). F. Lester, J. T. Eden, W • Martin, C. W. Mead, G. Eden (Wakefield), J. Thingev, D. Brown (Seddon), R. T. Laidlaw, ' and G. R. Western (joint secretaries). The president gave a short report on the first year's working of the association, and thanked all committeemen who helped to make the first year a success. The following officers were elected: President, Mr 11. Y. Monro; vice-presi-dent, Mr W. Martin ; secretaries, Messrs R. T. Laidlaw and G. R. Western; auditor. Mr A. Hodgson. It was resolved that only cups that

cannot he won outright shall be called challenge cups. It was deeided’that the association give a miniature cup with all cups that cannot lie won outright with one run excepting those for second and third places. An endeavour is to he made to prevent dates for provincial championship trials clashing. It was decided that if the association is allotted the South Island championship next year tUev be held in Blenheim and the provincial championships in Tapawera, and if the South Island championship is not allotted to Hie association the provincial be held in Scddon The provincial championships are to bc held later in the season if possible. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr M. B. Hope for attending the delegates’ meeting of (lie S.l. Association at if akatin amea. It was resolved that each club nominate two judges to he submitted to a selection committee of five for final choice. The following committee was set up : Messrs A. Giles, J. T. Eden, R. C. Gibbs. A. Adair, and G. Biggs. A vote of thanks was accorded the secretaries for their work during the year.