Despite being down on entries after their 100-year anniversary last year, Paparangi was pretty well supported by triallists and dogs doing the Whangamomona/Tututawa circuit, finishing up at Paparangi, inland from Kai Iwi, last weekend.
This year, the huntaways competing far outnumbered heading dogs and, overall, 307 runs were put through.
A club member and steward on the shorthead course, Brian Burke, won the shorthead with Morgan, the duo having put up performances that suggested a win was not far away. It was good to see Burke back in the winner's circle.
Merv Williams and Showman followed on from their two wins at Omatane/Kawhatau the previous weekend, winning the longhead and putting them well ahead in the top heading dog challenge, with 15 points after three centre trials.
Maiden man Peter London with his maiden dog, Pat, just failed to get in the open longhead; a lack of experience getting a hold in the ring cost them.
The sheep supplied by the Rainey and Wyatt families worked well on the heads for the dogs that could settle them, and the hunt sheep were in great order.
Results
Class1: M Williams & Showman 95, 1; D Smith & Grace 94, 2; K Oliver & Kim 93.5, 3; B Burke & Morgan 93, 4; G Peacock & Falcon 92.5, 5.
Open/maiden: B Burke & Freya 89.5. Maiden man/maiden dog: P London & Pat 92.
Class 2: B Burke & Morgan 98.5, 1; G Peacock & Falcon 97, 2; P Green & Di 92.5, 3; G Peacock & Chief 92, 4; J Bartlett & Whanga 91, 5.
Open/maiden: S Tweed & Peter 83. Maiden man/maiden dog: R Broad & Pip 42.5.
Class 3: T Stephenson & Cruze 98.5, 1; B Parkinson & Grace 98, 2; M Middlemass & Kate 97.5, 3; R Pullen & Poi 97, 4; L Patterson & Print 96, 5.
Open/maiden: T Stephenson & Cruze 98.5. Maiden man/maiden dog: T Hopkins & Harry 90.
Class 4: A Nimmo & Bess 97.25, 1; G Drake & Hap 97, 2; G Drake & Tui 95.25, 3; G Peacock & Ritch 95, 4; J Bartlett & Ra 94.75, 5.
Open/maiden: T Stephenson & Dark 93.5. Maiden man/maiden dog: J Brennan & June 92.5
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- Meanwhile, Omatane-Kawhatau club held a successful dog trial on February 14-15 on the Kelly property east of Utiku.
Entries were up slightly despite four judges being away at the King Country centre championships at Maihihi, east of Otorohanga.
Merv Williams and Showman from Raetihi won both heads and Steve Ponsonby from Black Hill Station, Taihape, won both hunts with different dogs - Dale taking out the straight hunt and maiden bitch Pearl winning the zig-zag.
Kathryn Oliver from Raetihi, had her first judging job at a hill trial doing the longhead, a course she had her first open win on with Kim.
Williams made the trip to Maihihi along with several other Wanganui centre competitors. He won the maiden shorthead with Horse and was third with Pippa in the zig-zag hunt.
Bruce Parkinson, also from Raetihi, won the open shorthead with Brooke and came fourth with Tune in the straight hunt.
Ray Morris, from Ruahine, with Grizz and Swag also featured in dispatches at Maihihi.
Not to be out-done Wanganui centre president Paul Evans won the longhead at Dannevirke with Dee, a dog who has made a name for herself on the big hill courses.
Omatane-Kawhatau results
Longhead: M Williams & Showman 95.5, 1; G Peacock & Falcon 95, 2; B Burke & Morgan 93.5, 3; W Clare & Patch 92.5, 4; P Evans & Bryte 92, 5.
Intermediate: B Burke & Morgan 93. Maiden: T Hopkins & Brie 91.
Shorthead: M Williams & Showman 97.5, 1; G Peacock & Chief 95.5, 2; N Sinton & Mouse 93.5, 3; S Whiteman & Parker 91.5, 4; K Oliver & Paddy 89, 5.
Intermediate: G Peacock & Chief 94. Maiden: G Peacock & Chief 94.
Zig-zag hunt: S Ponsonby & Pearl 98.5, 1; A Matthews & Kate 98, 2; J Chambers & Mouse 97.5, 3; G Peacock & Ritch 97, 4; J Mcauley & Yogi 96.75, 5.
Intermediate: S Ponsonby & Pearl 98.5. Maiden: S Ponsonby & Pearl 98.5.
Straight hunt: S Ponsonby & Dale 97, 1; J Chambers & Mouse 96, 2; B Parkinson & Tune 95, 3; T Nimmo & Chance 94.5, 4; D White & Mist 93.75, 5.
Intermediate: J Chambers & Mouse 96. Maiden: J Chambers & Mouse 96.