Dogs full of life at yarding
NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association competing at Te Oranga Farm, Dannevirke
The New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association, in conjunction with sponsors Tux, holds a series of yarding challenges throughout New Zealand every year from June, culminating in a grand final in January.
For a number of reasons, mainly Covid-19, the Ohingaiti challenge was cancelled but thanks to local Dannevirke farmer and dog trialist Bernard Arends, it was rescheduled for July 2-4 with the final on July 5 at his property Te Oranga Farm, Dannevirke.
The competition was blessed with three glorious mid-winter days although the opening Thursday was about as bad as winter could produce.
Under atrocious weather conditions on Thursday, July 2, in the maiden competition all three local Pukemiro cadets excelled themselves against competition from all over New Zealand.
All their hard work and training paid off. James Noble-Campbell and his dog Bry won the prize for the top maiden dog of the day and went on to become the overall winner of the maiden man/maiden dog of the trial.
He now qualifies to go to the North Island finals at Taupo¯ in
January to compete in the maiden section. The other two lads Connor McIntyre and Zane Rogers both did themselves and their dogs extremely proud.
From Friday to Sunday the weather conditions could not have been better. Once again local competitors, this time in the open competition, excelled. Guy Peacock and Slim from Dannevirke were the overall winners, Bob Bruce with Jaco from Hawke’s Bay was third, Bernard Arends with
Jazz and Lindsay Schmidt with Jed both from Dannevirke were fifth and sixth respectively. A just reward for Bernard and Lindsay who both put a lot of effort into the smooth running of the trial. Seventh was Howard Ingles from Hawke’s Bay with Lou. Also in the final 15 was Jim Wilson from Hawke’s Bay with two dogs Cap and Jed.
There were other experienced and respected competitors with local connections including Brian Dickie, now resident in Whanganui, but a long-time farmer in the Waitahora and Wendy Schmidt, a recent arrival in Te Rehunga with many national titles in dog trialling, recently retiring as a national judge
and with a great reputation for making the best dog coats.
The top three competitors in the open have also qualified to compete at Taupo¯ in January in the open section.
Normally only the top two go forward, but because of the large number of entries being over 200 dogs (255 dogs entered) three go forward to Taupo¯ .
The National Party’s Wairarapa candidate Mike Butterick was a welcome visitor spending time during Thursday’s chill.
Final results:
1 G Peacock Slim 94.5, 2 M Utting Fern 93.5, 3 B Bruce Jaco 92.5, 4 I Burling Mate 92, 5 B Arends Jazz 90.5, 6 L Schmidt Jed 87.5, 7 H Ingles Lou 72, 8 R Mead, Gum 71, 9 J Wilson Jed 58, 10 G Walker, Lace 57.5, 11 K Oliver Shy 56.5, 12 J Wilson Cap 56, 13 G Northcott Jay 55.5, 14 G Wellington Rachel, 15 L Philburn Meg 31 Maiden Dog Thursday: James Noble-Campbell, Bry 88 Maiden Dog Friday: J Morrison, Dazzle 84 Maiden Dog Saturday: A Savage, Queen 93.5