Happy to plough on through new challenge
WHOEVER said it is impossible to teach an old dog new tricks, was wrong.
Dale Truscott (64) reckons it is possible — you just need the right treats.
The semiretired Geraldine diesel mechanic took up ploughing for the first time recently, and now he is one of many from around the South Island competing in the Middlemarch, Taieri and Tokomairiro ploughing matches in Sutton this weekend.
‘‘It’s a difficult skill to learn. Very technical. I’m struggling with it, but I’m getting there.’’
He had never ploughed a paddock before, and his motivation (or treat) for learning was that it would keep his social life active in retirement, he said.
‘‘It’s the people. Socialising is probably 90% of the reason I do it.’’
He bought a late 1940s Massey Ferguson TEA vintage tractor from a Cromwell orchard packing house, and after making some adjustments and repairs, it has become his pride and joy.
‘‘I bought it because they’re
. . . easy to get parts for and easy to fix.’’
Behind it, he tows a modified old horsedrawn plough when he competes in the vintage categories.
The matches include the latest in tractor and ploughing technology, as well as right back to horsedrawn ploughs.
Mr Truscott said this year’s event was much bigger than usual because it was three different matches rolled into one.
The Taieri and Tokomairiro ploughing clubs usually hold their own matches separately, but because the ground conditions are so wet, they decided to combine them.
The matches started yesterday with the Tokomairiro event, and the Taieri and Middlemarch events are being held today and tomorrow, concluding with a Clydesdale ploughing match at the Sutton ground.