Merv Cameron and Grace proved a hard act to follow in the sheep dog trial challenge at the Dargaville Field Days last Saturday.
The Kaitaia man and beast combination were on point throughout, locking in a lovely 95 point run to emerge as Friday's top qualifier before going on to win the final by a comfortable margin over the other contenders.
A veteran triallist, Merv noted the final started at midday where it soon became obvious the sheep hadn't slept well.
"Held overnight on the grounds they were quite empty and with a strong wind blowing, were also touchy," he noted, adding all the competitors were in the same boat in that regard.
With around 50 dogs put through their paces in the qualifying rounds on the Tux Yarding Challenge-styled course, the sheep from Steve and Delwyn Osborne were described as being relatively consistent throughout - at least in presenting most dogs with a pretty stern challenge.
"All aspects of a dog's work was seen and plenty came up a bit lacking in some areas," Merv noted.
"Again that run-out and lift was crucial. A close head was fatal as the sheep were not overly happy in being held in the starting point and dashed out on those dogs and so the points flew off in the head and pull ...
"The run to the U-section of the Maltese cross was the most difficult to control and the answer was to let the sheep head off to the right; suffering a penalty in doing so but giving the handler time to shut the gate and get across to cover their side of the cross entrance. If the sheep were lined up from a distance they went through easily but any tight turn made at the cross entry and they just milled around, hence problems," he said, adding that dogs which had strong contact and moved quietly at the final pen completed but those that ran off or arced off, lost ground.
Other highlights from the three day event, which started 10 years ago, was that it attracted another decent crowd, the annual people-and-no-dog contest in which a team of three humans endeavoured to guide three sheep around a shortened course, and a lovely agility display by Erin Ball of Maungaturoto and her five "very well trained" dogs.
Then there was the Turkey of the Weekend award which went to Tony Comins for going home without his dog (although it all ended well with Jill being fed pies while awaiting her pick up).
Results were, open, judge Colin Jay: M Cameron and Grace 91, 1, C Robertson with Street 81, 2, G Robertson with May 80, 3, A Ross with Bruce 77.5, 4, E Ball with Speed 73, 5; intermediate: Cameron with Grace 94, 1, Ross with Bruce 89.5, 2, G Smith with Kay 87, 3, maiden: S Munford with Tess 1, Cameron with Roy 2, K Easterbrook with Meg 3, and novice: C Morgan with Sam. As well, Thursdays top qualifier was Andy Ross and Bruce with a solid 89.5 point run.