FAIRLIE MACKENZIE COLLIE TRIALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21304, 25 March 1939, Page 3

FAIRLIE MACKENZIE COLLIE TRIALS

Annual Fixture at Burke's Pass Results of First Day Two Events Decided Ideal weather favoured the first day of the 49th annual collie trials of the menced at Burke’s Pass yesterday. The entries in most classes were excellent, and the standard on a par with recent years. The trials have always been noted for the high standard which they set and yesterday’s events gave ample evidence that the working collie in the Mackenzie still knows its job. Two classes were decided yesterday and two others partly completed. The meeting opened with the huntaway and slew, and although there were a good number of entries the results were announced shortly after lunch. A start was made with the long pull and steady and the drive and yard, but these were interrupted, while Mr T. D. Burnett’s driving event was decided. On the whole the various competitors were put through their events expeditiously and the programme decided well up to schedule. This was due to the efficient organisation of the secretary, Mr J. H. Willetts and the following officials who conducted the trials: Patron, Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P.; president, Mr lan Mackenzie; vice-presi-dents, Messrs C. Hayter, J. Nesbitt, W. Mackintosh, L. P. Mackenzie, A. J. McKinnon, R. Rapley, C. Kilgour and T. J. Seay; judge stewards, Messrs W. Scott and A. Ballantyne; flag stewards, Messrs J. McKinnon and J. Williamson; ball committee, Mesdames Kilgour, McKinnon, W. Mackintosh, Scott, Willetts, Whyte and Ballantyne;sports committee, Messrs G. Dunn, Geo. Cowan, J. McDonald, R. J. Creighton and J. Cassie; general committee, Messrs A. W. Smith, J. Casey, J. Whyte, A. Ballantyne, F. Creighton, P. Allan, R. Cowan, R. Allan, N. Seay, A. Allan, C. Bryant, D. M. Robertson, J. Cassie, A. D. Waters, J. Williamson, S. Mitchell, B. Aitken, D. Urquhart, D. Mackenzie, R. McLean, P. Quill, A. B. Ross and Geo. Ross. Mr A. S. Smith, a competitor at the original trials in 1891 was. again a competitor yesterday. The judge of the huntaway event was Mr R. Innes of Springfield. He expressed satisfaction with the running of the dogs, but considered that in a good many cases there was room for a

lot of improvement. The general standard was up to other years however and there was certainly the material available for a definite improvement in succeeding years. Mr T. D. Burnett who judged the driving event for which he gave a silver cup, said that the competitors appeared to be getting a better idea of what the-judge required in this class. The trial had been put on, he said, to encourage reasonable handling and treatment of sheep on the roads and during mustering. Competitions were coming nearer to the object of the trial each year. After the decision was announced Mr Burnett presented the cup to the winner, Mr R. Wilson who won the event last year also. The sheep which were lent by Mr T. J. Seay of Mount Dalgety were eminently suited for trial work and fully tested the capabilities of the dogs. The course lay over good rugged country and provided a stem test. The results of the two events decided yesterday were as follow: Huntaway and Slew) First Division (Open) R. Wilson’s Jock, 56 points 1 R. Wilson’s Clown, 54 points .... 2 L. Campbell’s Lass, 53 points .... 3 (District Dog) (Second Division) L. Campbell’s Lass 1 A. W. Smith’s Glen 2 A. W. Smith’s Dust 3 (Maiden Dog ) (Third Division) A. Morrison’s Mac 1 Points were allotted as follows: Hunting 25, style 10, command 10, noise 15, making a possible of 60. Jock set the sheep going nicely, but they went across the mouth of the poles. He recovered standing well up to the sheep. The dog missed the poles and brought the sheep back down to the right. He recovered and went through the first poles in three minutes. After passing through, the sheep went slightly off the line, but went through the second poles nicely in 4min 25secs. Here, however, the dog took the wrong turning and the sheep twisted off to the left half-way to the top poles. They twisted back to the left again, but the dog brought them round and they went steadily to the top poles. Jock slewed a little as he was almost through and finished in nine minutes. The time allowed was lOmins. His points were: Hunting 25, style 8, command 8, noise 15, total 56. Clown took the sheep out nicely and went through the poles beautifully in Imin. He took the sheep right off the site, but recovered and let the sheep pass the second poles. He recovered again and put them through in five minutes. He did nice work between the

second and third poles to finish in Bmin 25secs. His points were: Hunting 25, style 7, command 7, noise 15, total 54. Lass had to recast after starting owing to his keeping a little far off the sheep. They drifted rather high throughout the trial and the dog stood a little too far off. He went through the third poles at 7min 25secs. Points were: Hunting 25, style 8, command 5, noise 15, total 53. The performances in divisions 11. and 111. showed a slight improvement on last year. (Mr T. D. Bumett’s Driving Event) R. Wilson’s Gyp and Jock, 90 pts. .. 1 J. Milligan’s Miss Mac and Lone, 89 pts 2 M. McPherson’s Queen and Sam, 85 pts 3 The conditions were that two dogs should drive the sheep over a difficult course. Time allowed was lOmins and the possible points 100. The competition saw a distinct improvement over former years. All the dogs worked well and there were no “passengers.” The difficulty of driving a small number of sl.eep down hill on a hard course fully tested’the dogs and all stood up to the work well. Each competitor displayed good judgment and complete control. To-day the long pull and steady and the drive and yard will be completed and the short pull and yard decided. The Fairlie Athletic and Cycle Club will conduct a sports meeting during the afternoon.