Broadwood dog trials popular

The locals preparing the hangi at the Broadwood Sheep Dog Trial last autumn. Photo / Supplied

There are all sorts of reasons to head out to Waiotehue Road and check out the annual Broadwood Sheep Dog Trials this weekend.

The event gets underway on Waiotehue Road early tomorrow morning and will run until Saturday evening, while Sunday is reserved for the running of the Northland championships which are being held in conjunction with the latest leg on the provincial circuit.

Some commentators put the event's longstanding popularity down to its remote but picturesque location which could pass double as a location for Hobbiton.

Others say it's the unique nature of the event courses, the only event in the country where dogs have to steer a trio of sheep across a public road as part of a run.

Northland has produced some of the best sheepdogs in the country. with several national and international champions in the ranks and the Broadwood trials represents a great opportunity to see them at work.

Could it even be the charming little bush shack set-up where refreshments can be quaffed before a perfect view of the action unfolding on the short head and yard course?

The main drawcard for the annual trial is the renowned Herekino hospitality in which local whanau dish up a hangi for competitors at the end of the trial on Saturday evening.
Broadwood this weekend is offering three days of dog trialling at its best and, entry is free for the public.

Mt Manaia results

There were good entries at the Mount Manaia Sheep Dog Trial last weekend.

A report from the event said the lambs worked well on hunts and the long head, but were difficult to pen, while special praise was reserved for Jim and Margaret Comries as founding members of the trial as well as sheep and land owners.

With this being the pair's 22nd and last dog trials, they were thanked for their commitment and longstanding support of the club.

Results from the Mt Manaia SDTC event on March 31-April 1 were:

Long head, judged by Roger Jordon: Ken Whittaker with Jess 96.5 points, 1, John Nelley with Stream 95, 2, Murray Child with Boy 94.5, 3, Shaun Haynes with Doc 93, 4, Claire Thompson with Ike 92, 5; intermediate: J Nelley with Stream 95, maiden: Cameron Candy with Grace 86.5.

Short head and yard, judge Duncan Gilligan: Murray Child and Dice 91, 1, Barney Robinson and Dan 88, 2, Andy Ross and Pip 87, 3, Owen Finlayson and Lady 86.5, 4, Tony Hargreaves and Shrew 86, 5; intermediate: T Hargreaves and Shrew 86, maiden: Kevin Easterbrook and Meg 71.

Zig zag hunt, judge Owen Finlayson: M Child and Jimmy 95, 1, Barney Robinson and Rod 94.5, M Child and Frank 94, 3, Sean Roberts and Busy 90, 4, S Roberts and Trigger 88, 5; intermediate: S Roberts and Trigger 88, maiden: S Roberts and Trigger 88.

Straight hunt, O Finlayson: M Child and Frank 95, 1, Andy Ross and Queen 94, 2, B Robinson and Rod 91, 3, M Child and Jimmy 88.5, 4, K Whittaker and Rush 88.4, 5; intermediate: K Whittaker and Rush 88.4, maiden: S Roberts and Trigger 83.

As noted earlier, it's Broadwood this weekend. Remaining events on the 2017 provincial series are at Molesworth from April 20-21, Maungakaramea from April 22-23, and, ultimately, the postponed Taipa event - at its new venue in Rangiputa - from April 28-29.

The top-performing Northland centre dogs at Northland-based trials only so far this year are, heading:

Andy Ross and Pip 15, K Whittaker and Jess 12, M and Child Boy 10, S McRae and Cory 9, K Whittaker and Sam 9, M Child and Dice 7, S McRae and Sceata 7, I McKinnon and Tess 7, M Child and May 6, N Child and Rod 6; huntaways: S McRae and Toby 23, M Child and Jimmy 15, M Child and Frank 12, G Smith and Henry 10, M McLiver and Faye 8, T Comins and Tote 7, O Finlayson and Tony 7.