Cool for competition start
After the recent heatwave that hit the country, Whangamomona Sheep Dog Trials struck it lucky with cooler conditions on Friday and Saturday making it more bearable for competitors, dogs and sheep.
In the first trial of the Taranaki season, three of the four open events were won by Taranaki competitors and locals featured prominently in all events, taking
16 of the 20 Open places. Mangaehu-Stratford’s Tony Price and his dog, Bill, took out the very challenging longhead with
95.75, Whangamomona’s Dan Murphy and True won the shorthead and yard with 97, and Wanganui competitor Bruce Parkinson and Tune won the zigzag hunt with 96.5.
Bernie Gower, of Mangamingi, won the straight hunt with his dog May with 98 points, with the next four placings in the event going to Whangamomona club members.
The next Taranaki trials are to be held by the Mangaehu-Stratford Club in the Tututawa Valley on February 16-17. These trials are also the Humes Taranaki Centre Championships with a run-off to be held on Sunday, February 18. Results:
Event 1 (Longhead) Open
1. T. Price, Bill, 95.75; 2. S. Murphy, Sharp, 95.5; 3. B. Gower, Hone, 95; 4. L. Bishop, Range, 94.25;
5. R. Dobson, Cruise, 94.
Event 2 (Shorthead and Yard) Open
1 D. Murphy, True, 97; 2. K. Lobb, Slim, 95; 3. R. Dobson, Tinka,
94.5; 4. R. Young, Thorn, 93.5; 5. C. Journeaux, Frost, 92.5.
Event 3 (Zig Zag Hunt) Open
1. B.Parkinson, Tune, 96.5; 2. G. Brown, Tempo, 96; 3. S. Kerkoff, Ned, 95.75; 4. L. Bellringer, Boogie,
95.5; 5. S. Murphy, Savvy, 95.25. Event 4 (Straight Hunt) Open
1. B. Gower, May, 98; 2. J. McFarlane, Nemo, 97.5; 3. C. Journeaux, Alice, 97; 4. L. Bellringer, Tahu, 96.75; 5. D. Murphy Strobe 96.5.