SHEEP DOG TRIALS 6.. 6 ..6..6..666

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 282, 21 April 1913, Page 8

SHEEP DOG TRIALS 6.. 6 ..6..6..666

TARATA CLUB.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING,

The sixth annual mcetm" 0 f tho larata Sheep Dog Trial Club was held on Mr. Guildford's farm at Tarata on lmrsday and Friday, and proved Iho moat successful held in the district to date. Keen interest was taken in the competition by sheep men from all parts of larai,:iki ] )eijl »- brought ifom as far south as Waverley and as far north as Awakmo. The club has made remarkable progress since its inception, "Inch should be sufficient commentary on the management. In 1908, the openi'(wo yC -A HmJ! 11 " 11 ' 01 ' of en tries was 32; 1909, »0; 1910, 70; 1911, 04: 1912 84 and 1913, 117. Indeed, to such dimensions have the trials grown that it was h T ke( 'j. } . m n r matters moving briskly that the officials were able to get ail the competitions completed in the two flays Hie officials all worked well, a " ort ] of praise being due to .Mr. A. Tar-1 7' for tlK> speed with which he got his sheep away, he being ablv assisted on the second day by Mr. \y. foppin-'. There .was a little delay on the second daJ in 1 i 8 ee I' on tlle ground for the Huntaway events, as the holding pens were some distance away, and it was necessary to bring the sheep to trial ground in small lots by means of a cart. his a method that can easily be improved, and probably will before next meeting by the erection of a holding yard just on the outside of the tri-fl ground proper, Mr. H. Waite, as dog steward, kent the CQinpetitors well up to starting time file flag stewards, Messrs. H. Lambert a K(Kxl gras ' ) of their duties, wlwcli were efficiently attended Ar'ji, timekeepers were Messrs. W Matthews and X. Standish. Mr. 11. p u tt I \", c '' al 'ge of the sheep gnessiV com-1 petition, and the result of his "efforts should materially assist the club's finances. As secretary. Mr. P. L. Street ,l.ad everything right u P to the moment.' ill, H. Sander, the chairman of the general committee, proved a very effective organiser and kept everything working smoothly. The work throughout was very good, some of the canines presenting almost human intelligence. A prominent feature was the handling 0 f the dogs displayed bv many of "the .young .r competitors. The judge, Mr. W. B. Grant, of Westown, is very thorough m his work, and pays strict attention to detail. He kept his associate, Mr. A. Monk, very busy taking notes of the yar■nus runs, a copy of which was handed to each competitor at its conclusion. This is a practice which is worthy of commendation, as it enhances the value of the trials «s a schooling ground, and. ; gh'es the shepherd an opportunity of thus ascertaining where he and his dog fall short, and it is his own fault if he does not take steps to remedy the defects.

The attendance on both days and at the evening social functions was very good; the work of the dogs and men be> ins; keenlv followed and criticised. Indeed. the am a. tour judging produced nineteen competitors, 'whose work was so goxl that the judge was over two hours deciding on the first three, who were only one, two and three points respectively out iti their computation, from his own decision on three dogs. Among those present on the rst day was Mr. J ,B. Hine, M.P. The catering was in the hands of Mrs. Guilford, and a capable staff, who provided a splendid luncheon. The morning and afternoon tea brought out on the ground; pach day to the judges and officials was much appreciated. The following were the results of the competitions:— Head, Bring Back, and Hold in Ring, about 300 yds (maximum points, heading 7, bring back 8, command 8, style 4, hold in ring 5; total, 32. J. Hunter's Wobbler 66743 (26) 1 P. G. Goldfinch's Kitty, 76732 (25) .. 2 A. Taylor's Loop, 55635 (24) 3 J. Blair's Bob, 68522 (23) 4

P. 'locker's Chum 22, A. Taylor's .Gather 22. J. Blair's Fovt 22, J. A. Robertson's Soda 22, 11. Lambert's Dyce 20, A. Corrigan's Marvel 20, C. Haskell's Smut 19, F. J. Webb's Sandy 18, I>. J. Goldfinch's Tess 17, J. Greavc's Colin 16, F. M. Standisii's Smut 15, J. Drummond's Laddie 13, T. Hannah's Maori 13, R. Patterson's Glen 13 and eight others competed. In this event the shepherd had to stand in the ring, start his dog, who would head the sheep, haul them to the ring and hold in the ring to the satisfaction of the judge. Time allowed', 10 minutes. The judge's notes on the place takers were as follow:—

Wobbler.—Cast to right; went out free; good line; headed in 4-isec. Headed a little too close. Started nicely; let sheep off course; brought sheep back on to course in good line and good style. Lot slice]) out of ring four times. Good style of hauling, good command at ring, eventually- held well.

Kittv.—Cast to right; went out free; good line; headed in 32see. .Made good head; sheep came through fence before being headed; let sheep slightly off course while coming to ring. Brought sheep slightly on side; lost control of sheep while holding. Let sheep out ol ring three times. Good command; fair stvle.

Loop.—Cast to left too wide; went out free; came back on to course, stopped and re-cast; headed nicely in 47sec. Started nicely; barked while hauling; let sheep off course when coming to ring. Brought into ring in good time. Let sheep out of ring slightly once. Dog too "inch in ring. Holding well, good style, fair command. ■*

Bob.—Cast to right; went out free in ,\'ood time. Dog failed to keep out when told. Headed in 38see. Made fair head, started niculy, brought down hill and into ring in good time. Let sheep out of ring. Let sheep right away from ring. 1)0'4 at times slightly slack. Command fair, stvle fair.

1 lend. Pull, Driving and Yarding Event; about 300 yards. Maximum points, ■command 8. style 6. driving 7, yarding 4. head 5. bring back (>; total, 36. J. Dlair's Flip, (i1i730."i (32) 1

I'. looker's Claim, 75(i2.")(i (;il) .... 2 •T. Hunter's Wobbler, 84(i04."> (27) .. 3 P. J. Goldfinch's Kitty, (1400,>,"> (2(i| 4

T. Hannah's Maori 2'i. 11. Lett's L-t-wie 24. J. Blair's Fo.vt 23'/ 2 . V. M. Stamlish 22'/., J. Blair's Bob 22. W. Tlmvlinson's Hoy 22, A; Taylor's Gather 22, J. A. Robertson's' Soda 22, IT. A. I'iiilav 21, A. Corrigan's Marvel 1!), li. "l'atorson is' C. Haskell's Smut IS, P. ,T. Goldfinch's Tess

IS. TI. Wflitfi's Boss 14, F. J. WehVs Sandy 11 and five others started. In this event, the competitor had to stand at a flag ami start his dog, head sheep, haul lo Hag, drive Hironyli and leave dog in charge, open gate at pen and yard (he sheep. Time allowed. 10 minutes. The judge's notes on the place takers \vere:~ Flip.—Cast to left, good head, started nicely. (Little Irash coming through fence, round Hug at first attempt. Oood line round first and second stump. Little fast to first hurdle, Liut in good line and through first attempt. Man and dog in good position. Through second hurdle ditto. Coming to pegs dog started sheep without being told, one sheep missed peg. Let sheep past pen. Yarded in good style. Good work at | vard. Command fair.

Chum.—Cast to right, good head, brought to flag in good linp. Round first stump in good line. Lot sheep slightly off course going to second stump. Tlirouirh first hurdle at first attempt, I>ut slightly oil' course coming to pegs. Left sheep in good position and dog took up good position on his own. Brought sheep to pen in good line and in good style. Yarded sheep at twice. Let one round pen. Command good, style good. Wobbler—Cast to left; made failhead. Brought to first flag in fair line but slightly off course. Brought to second flag in good line and steady. Brought to second stump in good line and style. Through rst hurdles in good line and J style. Man and dog in good position. j • r.nt sheep off course at second hurdles, j Through at second attempt. Let sheep slightly off course coming to pegs. Left I dog and sheep in good position. Coming I toqien missed pegs and time called. Com- | mtind good, style good. Kitty.—Cast to left and made good head. 'Dog little slow at start. Brought to first flag in good line and style, but a little slack. Brought to second (lag and also to stump in good line. Through first hurdles at first attempt. Dog too far away from sheep coming to second hurdles. Through second hurdles first attempt. Brought sheep to mouth of pen a little on one side. Let sheep past hurdle. Let sheep right round pen, then past pen and back on course from end of J pen. Command good; failed to yard. \ Huntaway Competition, between 3 sets of flags, on a zig-zag course, about 350 yards. Maximum points, hunt away 8, command 10, style 6, noise 6; total, 30. J. Blair's Clusky, 8966 (29) 1 J. Armstrong's Spot, 7966 ( 28) 2 J. Hunter's Tar, 6966 (27) .... 3 S. George's Darkie, 5946 (24) 4 R. McMullian's Lassie 23, P. Rolfe's Don 23, F. Lambert's Boss 22, J. Hunter's Dime 21, P. Tocker's Joe 19, P. Tocker's Scot 17, J. A. Robertson's Rum 15, H. C. Bateheldor's Squire lo and six others also started. The competitor had to take charge of the sheep, and the dog must hunt away to the satisfaction of the judge, and must bark before going through second set of flags, otherwise will not qualify. Time allowed 12min. Judge's -remarks on the placed dogs were as follows: Clusky—Got through first flags first attempt in good line and good style. Onod line to second flags. Through first attempt. Bad turn going to fence. Put throu'h first attempt. Good style, good command, good noise, Spot.—Got through' first attempt. Through second flags in good line and good style. Sheep went up to fence in good line. Dog too far away and look ing back too much. Got through fence first attempt. Good style and fair command.

Tar.—Through first flags first attempt ip;. good line. Turned sheep slightly back after passing first flags. Round stump in good line. Dbg little too much on one side. Through second flags first attempt. Dog a little too far away from sheep. Took sheep to fence in fair line, a little too much on right side. A little slow in getting sheep through fence. Good style, command and noise; little slow at getting through fence.

Darkie.—-Through first flags first attempt. Bad line to stump. After passing betwee.i second flags dog turned with tail to sheep. Sheep went up to fence in good line. Dog too far away and let sheep off line a good long way before go: ins through fence. Style, command, and noise good. Local Event, about 250vds. Maximum points, head 7, bring back 8, command 8, style 4, yarding 5; total, 32. F. M. Standisii's Scot, 50(144 (25) .... 1 ,'H. Lett's Bruce, 47637 (22) 2 11. Lett's Lassie, 65622 (21) 3 A. Taylor's Loop, 65520 (18) 4

R. MeMullian's Roy 17. A. Taylor's Gather 16, H. Putt's Rov 10, 11. Rolfc's Jack 1G and thirteen others also started. The judge's notes were as follows: Scot.—Cast to right. Went out free, a little wide. Came right in on cast. Headed too close in 35sec. Started a little rash. Brought down in good line, a little fast and sheep split slightly. Brought sheep down past pegs. Dog rather rash and let sheep pass pen, Dog little too keen, but good work at yard.

Bruce.—Cast to right and .went out free; cut in on east. Stopped just before heading in 40sec. Started nicely and brought sheep down in good time and steady. Let sheep slightly off course. Dog inclined to keep on one side.' Dog Mid sheep were in good position when man opened gate. Dog made rash turn starting from peg and let

sheep past pen and back from pen three times. Good command; style and yard-

ing fair. Lassie.—Cast to right and went out free in good time. Made good cast after sighting sheep and headed in 33sec. Started nicely, but let sheep off course while hauling. Brought back steadily.

Let sheep back on course. Dog barked and turned tail to sheep. Let sheep round pen four or five times. Fair command; fluked sheep into pen, dog being at back of pen while sheep went in. Loop.—Cast to left and went out free but too wide and slowed down before heading in 46see. Started nicely. Dog came a little too far in front of sheep coming down hill and barked. Brought sheep down out of line. Left dog and shepD in good position while opening gate. Turned tail to sheep two or three times. Dog not firm enough at yard and let out from mouth of pen. Failed to yard. AMATEUR JUDGING.

Mr. W. Topping's special prizes were competed for by .nineteen amateur judges A very close competition resulted, being a great improvement on the previous year. A. McMullmn 1 K. McMullian 2 J. Blair 3

SPECIAL PRIZES. Mr. F .M. Standish's 'Scott secured the spacisil prizes awarded by l)r .Gault and M. King for dog scoring most points, in I, classes 1, 2, jind 4; liortlr.vick and Soil's special fur local dug under best command iuid Patterson Bros.' cup fur dog competing in local event within prescribed '.im its.

J. Hunter's Wobbler annexed Mr. .J. B. Iline, M.l'.'s Challenge Cup for most points in class 1, F. Lett's Lassie secured Mr. Greincr's medal for dog scoring most points without winning a urize. Mr. .T. Hunter's special to local dog-j scoring most points in liuntaway went to Mr. .1 .Armstrong's Spot. T. Hannah's Maori obtained Mr. F. M. Standish's special for dog scoring most points in class 2 that his come a distance of over 20 miles and has never won a prize. Mr. F. Virgin's special for boy under IS sliowmit best «tvl» of working dogs mvs won b- A. Corrigan. Two small boys, Masters I), and W. A. Lambert were also presented with special prizes, subscribed at the smoke concert to encourage them in working their does at which thev showed such promise. SHEEP GUESSING COMPETITIONS.

These produced keen competition. On the first dav the sheep weighed 521b, and Miss Irene Patterson and Mr. C. Hamerton each guessed the correct weight and divided tlie money. On the second day Mr. J Armstrong guessed the exact weight, viz., 70y 2 lbs. CONCERT AND DANCE. On the first evening a very successful concert and dance was held in the Hall which was crowded. Our report of the function will appear to morrow.