Weather adds to challenge at Egmont club’s trials
Flooding kept one judge from his job and delayed the start of an event at the Egmont Sheep Dog Trials Club’s 109th annual event.
Heavy overnight rain meant Taranaki centre president Loyd Bishop was unable to get out of the flooded Mahaku Valley in Eastern Taranaki for the March 8-9 contest.
Bishop had been in line to judge the shorthead and yard and was replaced at the last minute by Mangamingi’s Bernie Gower.
With a bridge on the course submerged, the shorthead and yard was unable to begin until 10.30am but was eventually won by Whangamomona’s Steve Murphy and his dog Sharp.
Bryce Jensen (Waihi-Waitara Club) with his dog, Rebel, won the zig zag hunt with 98 points, heir first win of the season.
The next Taranaki trials are to be held at Tarata on March 30-31.
Results
Event 1 (Longhead): 1st L. Patterson, Ridge 92, 2nd L. Bishop, Flame 91, 3rd S. Whiteman, Reign
90.5, 4th K. Lobb, Slim 90, 5th D.Stuart, Jip 89.5.
Event 2 (Shorthead & Yard):
1st S. Murphy, Sharp 97.5, 2nd L. Patterson, Ridge 96.5, 3rd J. McFarlane, Lace 94, 4th G. Northcott, Julz 93.5, 5th D. Murphy, Flight 93.
Event 3 (Zig Zag Hunt): 1st B. Jensen, Rebel 98, 2nd G. Brown, Brew 97, 3rd M. Duffy, Shield 96.5,
4th J. McFarlane, Rex 96, K. Jacobs, Gin 95.5.
Event 4 (Straight Hunt): 1st D. Stuart, Gus 96, 2nd I. Healy, Abbey
95, 3rd S. Murphy, Savvy 94, 4th A. Gilbertson, Jax 93.5, 5th R. Donson, Boom 93.25.