Men, dogs set to outwit the sheep
A frequent participant at sheep dog trial championships, Fairlie resident Steve Kerr, brings a lot of experience to the competitive arena.
Kerr has been competing in trials for more than 20 years and this year he has two dogs – Bully and Dodge – competing in the New Zealand and South Island Sheep Dog Trial Championships at Waihi Station, near Geraldine.
‘‘They are both huntaways. In the past I have reached the New Zealand finals, and North and South Island finals, and I have been in eight runoffs.’’
The comradeship and competit- iveness keep him coming back, year after year.
‘‘While the competition is stiff, I have met so many good people who compete every year,’’ Kerr said.
Kerr believes the sheep make a difference to the outcome of the event.
‘‘You do not pick your own sheep,’’ he said.
‘‘They let three sheep out and the old sheep are no good.’’
Winning runs in the family though, so Kerr might be in with a chance.
‘‘My father won the South Island championships in the ’70s,’’ he said.
Kerr was helping to run and organise the straight hunt event at the trials.