Dogged Rob wins after 45 years

Kaiwaka farmer Rob Hastie has shown perseverance pays off, winning a Northland sheep-dog trial club open event after 45 years of trying.

His long effort to break his duck ended when he and his dog, Jack, won the two-day Broadwood Sheep Dog Trial Club's short head and yard at the weekend.

And it seemed like a double blessing when it rained as he whistled his way through his dog-trial drought.

Mr Hastie was born around the time his father Wallace started the Molesworth Sheep Dog Trial Club near Mangawhai in 1950. Young Rob took up dog trialling, which he did in 1968, becoming the Molesworth club secretary three years later.

Nothing much changed over the years. He is still club secretary. Despite missing hardly any Northland trials, he was unable to secure a first placing in an open club contest. Even guidance from the late Rex Ries and talented Kaiwaka dog trialist Tony Hargreaves failed to see him step up from runner-up and other minor placings.

Then along came Jack - about the 30th heading dog he has owned - whom he got from Northland Sheep Dog Trial Centre stalwart Merv Cameron, of Kaitaia.

The clever border collie is better than Minx and Flo, the best of the other heading dogs Mr Hastie has had. Out in the paddock Jack is also more useful than Drum, who had the best bark of the huntaways Mr Hastie has owned.

Jack and Mr Hastie made the Tux runoff in 2011, but never scored the big one. The dog broke a leg soon after and that affected his confidence.

But the dog recovered and was on song at Broadwood on Saturday, when he and Mr Hastie won the yarding event with 94.5 points, from Leo Jecentho and Cap on 93, Scott McRae and Skeeta 92.5, Duncan Gilligam and Tim 91 and Merv Cameron and Bonnie 90.

Mr Hastie was delighted with his win: "It was pretty special. I've always enjoyed competing at Broadwood, so it was a great place to do it."

Mr Hastie and Jack may taste yet more glory. With another point, they will qualify for the NZ championships at Taupo on May 27. He is eager to attend. He would like to to top the leader board on the biggest dog trial stage in the country, but is not holding his breath on that.

"I'd like to be there supporting the other Northland boys," Mr Hastie said.