Pihanui Station's Lana Chrystal was an upcoming competitor to watch, Mr Buscke said.
“Her dogs were beautifully broken in and that is definitely a feather in her cap. She has a real future in dog trials.”
Mr Buscke said he has a soft spot for the Putere area since working on Waireka Station, the home of the Putere Dog Trials.
He came to Waireka to muster stock in 1964 with four or five other musterers and stayed there for a while.
Now in his 79th year, Mr Buscke described the standard of dog training today as “absolutely unreal”.
“In our day, we did it through working the dogs. We trained them up to a point but it was more repetition through working every day. The dogs today are better trained and broken in.
“I admire the commitment of the people who make it happen — Sheena Martin, John Broad — and for Jamie McCormack to take on the presidency when he comes from the other side of the Wairoa district shows the strong local dedication to the dog trials.”
Outgoing president Mr McCormack finished his tenure on a high with a win in the Open Straight.
The presidency reins were handed over to Jack Philips as the club moves into its 51st year.
Ms Martin, club secretary, secured a win in the Open Short Head, her 99.5 score pipping Tom Manson who finished only half a point behind on 99.
Ms Martin said there was a good turnout with 77 hunts and 55 heads in the competition.
“It was a great day with loads of youngsters and new faces.”
Twelve-year-old Tom James had a day he won't forget with a win in the Open Long Head. — Wairoa Star
