That practice has its rewards was evident at the Tux Challenge Show ring dog trials at Ohingaiti. Paul McGlade's Ally, an 8-year-old bitch from Owhango who has the advantage of a course at home, won the 16-dog final on the fourth day of the trials.
Local Wanganui centre dogs filled the first day of competition at the end of which Rob Mather' Sheen, Jim Wilson's Jed and Duffy, and Peter Boyce's Guide and May were the five that went on to the final. The second day on fresh sheep, Bruce Parkinson's Brook, Adam Coleman's Brew and Don Wickham' Berk joined them as finalists. Saturday the outside competitors from Hawke's Bay, King Country, Wairarapa, Taranaki and Northland competed. The only woman to reach the final was Diane Ryder, from Waipawa.
The final showcased 16 dogs. Less than two points separated the top five dogs and on the other end of the scale two did not complete the course. The chill breeze did make the shorn romney wether hoggets just less than perfect to work, nevertheless the comment from all competitors was that over the four days they were some of the best sheep they had competed on.
The winning run of the trial by McGlade's Ally had a small penalty after the "U" obstacle and they went to and fro at the mouth of the pen. Ally won the NZ title for this event in 2008. Dave Wallace's Blue from Gisborne was second. Blue's run did not flow as well on the drives. Parkinson's Brook (Raetihi) seemed to have it won until his sheep turned back at the pen. He had let them go too wide on the second leg of the maltese cross.
Donovan Morris a novice competitor from Te Pa Station, in his first attempt at the challenge, scored 95 points with his maiden dog Bones to win the novice prize and come second in the maiden. This was by far the most points scored by a novice at Ohingaiti in the 12 years of the trial.
RESULTS: P McGlade, Ally, 97.5, 1; D Wallace, Blue, 97, 2; B Parkinson, Brook, 96.7, 3; J Wilson, Jed, 96.2, 4; P McGlade, Rob, 95.8, 5. Maiden dog: W Hayes, Deck, 97.5. Novice: D Morris, Bones, 95.