Dog trials sport bestows trophy on Dennis Campbell

PROUD AS PUNCH: Dennis Campbell with the trophy for the highest aggregate points for a Wairarapa/Southern Hawke's Bay trialler in the zig-zag and straight hunt at centre championships. PHOTO/CHRISTINE McKAY

Dog trialling is in Dennis Campbell's blood and, although ill-health now prevents him from competing, a new trophy will keep his name on the lips of competitors out on the zig-zag and straight runs.

"Dennis came to Tautane Station in 1955 and probably started dog trialling a couple of years later," best friend and fellow triallist Janette Murphy said. "He even continued to run a dog while working as a yard man at the stockyards."

Even a stroke in January 2006 couldn't keep Mr Campbell away from trials and his beloved dogs. His boss and old friend, Jim Chaffey, took Globe and Sam to the hospital to give Dennis a bark-up.

A month after his stroke, Mr Campbell took time out from rehabilitation to compete at the Dannevirke Dog Trials with Globe.

"That was my last run," he told the Dannevirke News.

In those 49 years, Mr Campbell had many dogs, some good and some bad, and, as a life member of the Dannevirke Club, he was a stalwart of the Wairarapa/Southern Hawke's Bay Centre. Recently, when secretary Cath Bendall noticed a gap in the centre's trophy cabinet, Mr Campbell was asked if he would like a trophy in his name.

He agreed and Norsewood master carver Geoff Bryant went to work on the magnificent wooden shield. On Tuesday, Mrs Murphy took the shield to Dannevirke's Community Hospital for Mr Campbell to see for the first time - and he was delighted.

"Dog trialling is a hell of a lot of fun and I travelled from one end of the country to the other competing," Mr Campbell said.

A successful competitor, Mr Campbell won numerous club and centre championships as well as placing at Moawhango Dog Trials in Taihape.

His advice to today's triallists is to: "Try to improve your dog and don't give up. But, most importantly, enjoy it and have fun."

Mrs Murphy said she still remembered his best advice. "He said, 'Every dog has faults. Just don't let the judge see them'."

The first recipient of the DG Campbell Shield is Johnny Linton.