GORE SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Southland Times, Issue 23794, 17 April 1939, Page 3

GORE SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Championship Events

DECISIONS IN CHIEF CLASSES ’

The Gore Sheep Dog Trials Club’s annual fixture was concluded on Saturday when the two Southland championship events, the open huntaway and long pull events, were held. The titles were won by A. T. Miller’s (Clifden) Alex, which won the open huntaway, and E. •P. Healy’s (Mossbum) Puff, which won the long pull. The work was of a high order in both events and in the long pull event only four points separated the winning dog from the fifth placed dog. A more clear-cut win was secured by Mr Miller’s dog in the open huntaway, Alex giving an outstanding performance and almost scoring full points. There was a big attendance of spectators at the trials on Saturday afternoon and the events were followed with keen interest by those present. At the end of the trials the president of the club, Mr J. S. Waddell, congratulated the successful competitors and thanked the public for its attendance.

Results are aS follows:— OFDN HUNTAWAY. Dog to huntaway and slew and bark as directed by judge. First prize £5 and Chittock Cup to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, second £3, third £2, fourth £l. Time, 10 minutes. Points: Hunt, 25; noise 15; command 10; slew 10; total, 60. A. T. Miller’s (Clifden) Alex 25, 15, 10 9 59 1 W. E. Stiven’s (Heriot) Ding 24, 15, 8, 8—55 2 S, Peterson’s (Clinton) Crib 17, 10, 8, 7—42 3 J. Waddell’s (Waikaka Valley) Glen

16J-, 10, 8, 6—401 4 Also ran: D. Lawlor’s (Waikaka) Rave 40, and Kate 31, E. Anderson’s (Pembroke) Rose 37, J. Brown’s (Mandeville)' Sharp 36, D. McMeeken’s (Otama) Jack 30, J. Milne’s (Otautau) Meg 33, G. Potter’s (Greenvale) Type 39, J. Lawlor’s (Waikaka) Toss 39j. Alex hunted well throughout, show-

ing fine style, good punch and commanding the sheep well from start to finish. It was altogether a fine performance, very near to perfection. Ding hunted well through the first poles and did fine work through the second poles, but the sheep were allowed to get a little low and missed the right-hand pole of the third set. The dog brought them back, however, and completed the course in fair style. Crib displayed fine work through the first poles, but had trouble with the free sheep going to the second poles. The sheep raced about and after getting them settled the dog made a good hunt through the second poles. He failed to complete the course on time. Glen put up good work through the first poles. The sheep were split slightly

between the first and second poles and the dog found the going hard approaching the second poles, one weak sheep causing trouble. He failed to negotiate the third set of poles. LONG PULL (for all-comers). Head, pull and hold in ring. First prize £8 and cup valued at £5 5/- to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, second £5 10/-, third £2 10/-, fourth £l, fifth 10/-. Distance, about 500 yards. Time, 10 minutes. Points: Out run, 20; pull, 25; hold in ring, 5; command, 10; total, 60. E. P. Healy’s (Mossbum) Puff 17|. 24, 5, 9—55?,- 1 G. P. Johnston’s (Oamaru) Southern Cross 19, 23, 3|, 9—54?, 2 V 7. E. Stiven’s (Heriot) Skookum 19, 22, 3, BJ—S2J 3 P. Whyte’s (Otama) Roy 17, 23, 5, 7—52 4 J. D. Smith’s (Wendon) Nell 17, 21, 4|, 9-51| 5

Also ran: J. Milne’s (Otautau) May 39, and Cap 10, J. Waddell’s (Waikaka Valley) John 19, E. Anderson’s (Pembroke) Moss 39, J. B. Queale’s (Lochiel) Bess 46j, and Roy 51, L. P. Healy’s (Mossburn) Laddie 46, E. P. Healy’s (Mossburn) Lass 44, A. T. Miller’s (Clifden) Dusky 46, and Len 51, W.

Hickey’s (Greenvale) Kippax 50 and Bradman 39, H. White’s (Otama) Ken 48, G. Potter’s (Greenvale) Dart 41, D. J. Watson’s (Lochiel) Millie 10, J. Johnston’s (Maitland) Help 36, • and Madge 47, G. Barclay’s (Kaiwera) Smart 45, J. Brown’s (Mandeville) Ned 44, J. Henderson’s (Gore) Chief 25. Puff was cast on the right and was redirected several times, but made a good head in 2min 12sec. He lifted fairly

and began to pull, waving the sheep slightly, but thereafter making a fine pull to the ring and completing in good style. Southern Cross made a good out-run on the right hand cast but moved the sheep slightly before heading in 2min 13sec. The dog made a fair lift, but allowed the sheep to get off the line in the pull. He did fair work at the ring. Skookum was cast io the left to make

a non-stop out-run, heading closely in 2min 7sec. He pulled fairly, but did erratic work at the ring. Roy went out on the right-hand cast, was redirected several times and did not make a good head. He headed in 2min 40sec. He made a nice and did fair work at the ring. Nell went out on the right, but did not keep the cast very well. She made a close head in 2min lOsec. In pulling she allowed the-sheep to drift, otherwise her course was fair. She held in the ring.