Patoka trial back with a vengeance

'Tis the season: Torey Harnett and Bess wait their turn at the start of the zigzag hunt event at the Opotiki dog trial last Sunday. They finished fifth with a good score of 92.75 points.

A HAWKE’S Bay sheep dog trial that had to be cancelled last year for lack of interest has recovered well with near-record entries last weekend.

The entries at the Patoka trials was bolstered by the presence of a strong contingent from the Poverty Bay centre.

It was a successful mission for the northerners, including a straight hunt win by the 2017 Poverty Bay centre straight hunt champion pairing of Allen Irwin and Dan, while there was also Northern Hawke’s Bay success as Fraser Taylor, of Wairoa, won the zigzag with Waite.

It was, however, nearly service as normal for the heading dogs with Bob Bruce’s 2017 national champion Cheat claiming the long head and Clark Chrystal with Rick the short head and yard, both triallists putting together a string of wins for their respective kennels.

The Wairoa trials were on Thursday and Friday, overlapping the nearby Ruakituri trials in the Poverty Bay centre Friday and Saturday.

Results from the Patoka sheep dog trials on Friday-Saturday, March 2-3 —

Long head: Bob Bruce, Cheat, 94pts, 1; Kevin O’Connor, Jax, 91pts, 2; Peter Williams, Trump, 87.5pts, 3; Paddy Burke, Scooter, 87pts, 4; Annie Flood, Scott, 86.5pts, 5.

Intermediate: Kevin O’Connor, Jax. Maiden: David Scragg, Buster.

Short head and yard: Clark Chrystal, Rick, 95pts, 1; Annie Flood, Scott, 93.75pts, 2; Tom Manson, Pip, 93.5pts, 3; Kevin O’Connor, Jo, 93.25pts, 4; Bob Bruce, Cheat, 92.5pts, 5.

Intermediate: Fraser Taylor, Nell. Maiden: Mitchel Hoare, Gem.

Zigzag hunt: Fraser Taylor, Waite, 97pts, 1; Louise Watt, Izzy, 95.5pts, 2; David Shield, Judd, 95.25pts, 3; Mark Loye, Law, 95pts, 4; Matt Humphreys, Dodge, 94.5pts, 5.

Intermediate: Louise Watt, Izzy. Maiden: Matt Humphreys.

Straight hunt: Allen Irwin. Dan, 98pts, 1; Tom Manson, 97pts, 2; Samantha Shaw, 96.8pts, 3; Rocky Hawkins, Kane, 96.5pts, 4; Ruie Bridge, Vic, 96pts, 5.

Intermediate: Ruie Bridge, Vic. Maiden: Dylan Rofe, Trump.