Two trial titles expected to go to top table

Nigel Clark, from Porangahau, with dog Mary, during the longhead course. Photo / Paul Taylor

A shortened Hawke's Bay sheep dog trial season ended at Te Aute yesterday, with two of the top honours likely to go to the top table at the centre's prize-giving later in the year.

The Aerospread top huntaway title is expected to go to centre president Nigel Clark who rammed home the advantage when Trix won on the zig zag course at the Brownrigg property in Te Aute Trust Rd where the Te Aute club has been based since 1967. It was the fourth win of the season for Trix, following victories at Waikoau and Okawa, and an out of centre win at Ngatapa, Poverty Bay.

Past president Bob Bruce, who represented New Zealand in Australia last year and the North Island at the first New Zealand Rural Games in Queenstown in February, did not need quite the same good fortune at home club Te Aute, but still topped the Merial Ancare top heading dog table Cheat, son of the now retired multiple champion Trump.

He did, however, win yesterday's long head with Skip, a repeat of a success last year.

While entries were down - with just over 60 dogs on each of the courses, there were some well travelled farmers and canines, most notably North Canterbury farmer Richard Orr.

Among others was Taihape competitor John Batley, whose property will host the North Island and National championships at Moawhango, starting on May 25.

Entries at the Taradale trials last Friday and Saturday were even less, possibly reflecting other commitments competitors may have had during the school holidays.

Among the standout performers was Kevin O'Connor's Jo, which claimed the long head, although still an intermediate. He and the dog backed up with a second placing at Te Aute.

Results from the Te Aute Sheep Dog Trial Club trials on Tuesday and yesterday:

Long head: Bob Bruce, Skip, 96pts, 1; John Foss, Dell, 95.5pts, 2; Rocky Hawkins, Ted, 95pts, 3; Paul Robinson, Libby, 94.75pts, 4; Graeme Northcott, Dick, 94.5pts. Intermediate: John Batley, Pam. Maiden: Dave Andrews, Richard II.

Short head and yard: Bob Bryson, Brad, 97.5pts, 1; Kevin O'Connor, Jo, 97pts, 2; Dave Wallace, Toi, 96pts, 3; Graeme Northcott, Hope, 95pts, 4; Clark Chrystal, Boyd, 94.5pts, 5. Intermediate: Nigel Clark, Mary. Maiden: Nigel Clark, Jan.

Zig zag hunt: Clark Chrystal, Trix, 98pts, 1; Rob Kjestrup, Ash, 97.5pts, 2; Gordon Martinovich, Punga, 96.5pts, 3; Jo Waugh, Bess, 96.25pts, 4; Don White, Mist, 96pts, 5. Intermediate: Gordon Martinovich, Punga. Maiden: Barney Chrystal, Jemma.

Straight hunt: Guy Bryson, Bronk, 97.5pts, 1; Rocky Hawkins, Trix, 95.5pts, 2; Bob Bruce, Hood, 95pts, 3; Rocky Hawkins, 94.5pts, 4; John Batly, 94.25pts, 5. Intermediate: Guy Bryson, Bronk. Maiden: Harold Woodmass, Jess.

Results from the Taradale Sheep Dog Trial Club results on April 17-18:

Long head: Kevin O'Connor, Jo, 95pts, 1; Dave Wallace, Blue, 93.5pts, 2; Bob Bruce, Skip, 93pts, 3; Don Avenell, McCaw, 92.5pts, 4; Bob Bryson, Rodger, 91.5pts, 5. Intermediate: Kevin O'Connor, Jo. Maiden: Graham Duff, Jess.

Short head and yard: Rocky Hawkins, Ted, 96pts, 1; Laurie Horsfall, Raid, 95.5pts, 2; Bob Bryson, Rex, 93pts, 3; Steve Ponsonby, Dag, 91pts, 4; Bruce D'Ath, Pip, 90.5pts, 5. Intermediate: Steve Ponsonby, Dag. Maiden: Graham Duff, Jess.

Zig zag hunt: Tim Lamont, Bounce, 94pts, 1; Graham Duff, Mate, 93pts, 2; Barney Chrystal, Carbo, 92.75pts, 3; Grant Magee, Crib, 92.5pts, 4; Reece Whitelock, Girl, 92pts, 5. Intermediate: Tim Lamont, Bounce. Maiden: Mark Murphy, Ben.

Straight hunt: Reece Whitelock, Scott, 95pts, 1; Sandy Campbell, Lou, 94pts, 2; Ruth McKay, Tank, 93.5pts, 3; Bex Barnes, Biddy, 93.25pts, 4; Grant Magee, Crib, 93.1pts, 5. Intermediate: Reece Whitelock, Scott. Maiden: Sandy Campbell, Lou.