Scragg and Sheild on leaderboards at trials 'noon call'

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Wairoa’s David Scragg and George Sheild from Tolaga Bay were in the top seven of three events at the “noon call” in the Tux South Island and New Zealand dog trial championships at Balclutha yesterday.

Scragg was in the leading group in event three, the zig zag hunt, with Chook, and also in the top seven in event four, the straight hunt, with another of his dogs Jake.

Waingake’s Ruie Bridge was among the leaders in event four too for a while  yesterday, with his dog Flash, before they slipped off the board.

Earlier he and Max had also been in the lead group in the short head and yard, but again dropped out of contention.

Sheild and his dog Storm got on to the leaderboard in event three, the short head and yard during yesterday’s morning session.

Matawai’s Henry Gaddum and Ming were on the board in event one, the longhead, for a while yesterday too.

On Monday Sheild and Smoke were in the top seven for a time too, in the zigzag, likewise Leo Edginton and Sheildzy from Tolaga Bay, in the straight hunt.

The competition organisers said the weather at the Warepa Collie Club near Balclutha has been kind so far.

“There’s a great vibe here in these championships.”

The seven on the various leaderboards near the end of the week will decide the South Island title winners, and earn the right to progress through to the New Zealand runoff finals.