Rebecca Williams will be one of more than two dozen female competitors in action over the course of the Spring Show championships. Photo / Paul Rickard
Rebecca Williams will be one of more than two dozen female competitors in action over the course of the Spring Show championships. Photo / Paul Rickard
The competitive side of the milestone 150th Poverty Bay A&P Spring Show kicks off this morning with the first runs of 190-plus entries in the Tux sheep dog trials.
An arena for the contest was laid out at the rear of the Showgrounds Park on Monday afternoon.
Competitors have beendrawn to the championship from across the North Island.
The 2025 event, which has “Royal Show” status, has been sponsored by Tux and Taharau Earthmovers.
Trials commentator Ross Buscke said it’s a good field of dogs and handlers.
Leo Jecentho from Waikato, who has regularly competed in the championship and has been a finalist and a winner, will be the judge this year.
Leo Jecentho is one of the regular outside competitors and regularly features in the final top 15 run-off. This year, he will be the judge. Photo / Paul Rickard
The top five combinations each day will go on to a final run-off on Saturday.
Gisborne competitors to look for include the evergreen and vastly experienced Merv Utting, Tolaga Bay’s Leo Edginton, and Waimata’s Graeme Cook.
There will be 27 women competing this year, including Rebecca Williams from Matawai, Sheena Martin from Wairoa and Sam Shaw, also from Matawai.
The event comes down to a contest of wills between man and dog together and the sheep they attempt to steer sedately around the course. Pictured are Josh Deardon and Jim competing in 2023. Photo / Paul Rickard
The sheep have been provided by Rangatira Station at Te Karaka.
Head of the section, Henry Gaddum, said it was “pretty exciting” to be hosting a Royal Show-status championship this year.
