COLLIE TRIALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8884, 21 March 1907, Page 3

COLLIE TRIALS.

ANNUAL MEETING AT CASHMERE

The eleventh annual competitions in working sheep with collies, under the auspices of the Christchurch Sheep-dog Trial Club, was commenced this morning on the usual grounds at Cashmere Hills. Tlie weather was very fine, and there was a good attendance. There are altogether about 120 entries, about fifty dogs being put to work. The first competition was heading, bringing back, holding in ring and yarding, the distance being about 300 yards. Some special interest attaches to the fact that among the dogs are three belonging to Mr A. E. M'Leod, of New South Wales, who have come to the colony with a substantial reputation. The performances were as follow : — R. MA dams Bruce headed the sheep well in 2min 13sec, but split the sheep on the way down. They were got together again and were held in the ring successfully, and Avere yarded on the first attempt in 13min 15sec. F. Richardson's Bosun's sheep got away, and gave him a long run before they could be headed. They were turned on the top of the hill in 2min 33sec, but the sheep got back to theAarting yard, and the dog was called om G. R. M'Rae's Rock headed well in 2min 13sec, but was very slow in coming down the hill, though a good line was preserved. The limit of time was passed before tho holding ring was reached. J. Bunting's Pride lvent straight for his flock and headed them in Imin 48sec. He worked very wide on the pull, and at the ring as well, and so lost time. He had very quiet sheep to work with. Time was called before the yard was reached. G. Lang's Fly, commencing to the left, crossed the mob and headed from the right. They were headed in 2rnin 22_ec, and came down fairly well. The sheep bolted across the flat and were subsequently split, and the attempt was given up. J. S. Kennedy's Boy headed in Imin 57sec, and selected a good line in coming down. The sheep were ringed in smin 54sec, but got out before the minute was up. The dog worked very wide, and there was not time to yard them.

A. E. M'L-od's Bareft (New South Wales), worked by Mr O'Brien, found the sheep badly, striking far to the right and crossing them. He headed in 3min 25sec, and though the pull was started quietly the sheep nearly got away and came down in a poor line. In 6min 50eec the sheep were lost.

A. Harper's Rollick made a good run for the sheep, heading in Imin 26sec, and commenced bringing down in a good line. They came down the hill fast, and were put in the ring in smin 43sec. One sheep was yarded, but came out again, and the mob got out of control, so that the dog failed to yard within the fifteen minutes.

J. B. Purdue's Jack had some difficulty in finding the sheep, but headed in 3min 3osec. He brought down very erratically, .and did not get the sheep in the ring till Bm in 58sec. They got out before tho minute was up. The dog was too keen at the yard and spoiled some good chances by rushing the sheep. Time was called before the yarding was effected.

D. M'Kay's Admiral Togo crossed in heading, turning the sheep in 2min 20sec. He brought down badly, taking 14min lOsec to get to the ring, and time was called while the sheep were still there.

A. Turpin's Lady headed in 2min9sec. She worked the sheep down to the flat very fast, and was rash at the ring. They wero put inside the pegs in 6min 41sec, and held well. In the attempt to yard th© sheep tried to argue with the dog, and in the prohibition of hostility by the dog, held her at bay till time was called.

J. P. M'lntyre' s Lass worked under good control and headed in 2min 7see. She brought the sheep down in a good line and ringed them in 7_ii-n. 13sec, but lost them directly. They were brought back, and Lass took them quietly to the yard. She yarded them very nicely on the third attempt in 13min, 19_ec, being the second successful competitor. ' A. E. M'Leod's Tweed of Roxburgh is another of the New South Wales dogs. He headed in 2min, having made a good cast, and brought the sheep down nicely over a good line and fast. He ringed in 6min. 50sec. He worked very neatly but slowly at the ring, showing a peculiar style of squatting most of the time. He held the sheep beautifully, only letting them get out of position when one of them, more pugnacious than the others, charged him and upset the formation. He used up all his tune manoeuvring at tlie yard. R. R. Cowan's Glen headed in 2min 28sec. He behaved wildly and was noisy on the way down, and on reaching the ring split the mob. At Bmin 24sec the attempt was abandoned. R. C. Wilson's Glen crossed from the left in heading. He had to make a long run, and headed in 2min 12sec. The dog spoilt his work by rashness, and the sheep getting out of control the dog wag called off in smin 35sec.

H. T. Little's Doon headed in Imin 13sec, and came down nicely and acted quietly. The dog worked close, ringed in 6min lOsec, and made some good attempts to yard. The sheep were rather wild, but the yarding was done at the third attempt in 13i_in. 22sec.