Dogs do well over 90 in Aurere

Given some rarely composed sheep to work with, Northland's best sheepdogs went on the front foot in the Mangonui leg of the Northland sheepdog trials in Aurere on the Friday and Saturday of March 8-9 and, subsequently, posted some impressive scores.

At one point, estimates were that 28 of the 30 scheduled runs in one of the four divisions held over the days had been penned; while all five of the winning runs in each division, e.g. 20 runs, all finished in the high 90s.

The weekend, however, belonged to Merv Cameron who, with four-year-old Clyde scored a rare 99-point effort in the short head and yard.

It was evidence of the general form shown by sheep, dogs and handlers throughout the Mangonui trials which left head judge Tony Hargreaves near shaking his head in disbelief. He noted Cameron put in one of the best runs seen in recent times; a "forced cross" worth half a point, adding to two quarter points deducted of the pull were the only faults between the veteran Kaitaia triallist and a perfect score.

Cameron in turn was humble about the high score, noting only one dog used all its time in the short head and had to retire unfinished. He summed up the remarkable completion rate in all events by noting, "Hot weather - hot runs was the order of the day."

Among the highlights were Mangonui's Leo Jecentho and his young Scott, impressive in winning the long head division with a very tidy 98 pointer to just hold off the Allen Nisbet/ Maggie pairing currently having a great season; while local clubman Colin Jay and the aged Blaze gaining a minor place in the long head maiden.

The short head and yard "started with a bang" with Claire Thomson and Dan putting on a beauty of a first run together and scoring a 98 pointer which would normally be a winning run but with the sheep working so well, completed runs were "a dime a dozen" and many other competitors also realised their hopes of scoring highly as well. Also highlighted was Cash - Clyde's little brother - and Pete Campbell placing fourth in a great family effort (Campbell is Thomson's spouse); with Barney Strong and Queen from Turangi winning the maiden section.

The huntaway section featured fewer entrants but again, most dogs completed, with Grant West and Code taking their second double of the season in winning both hunts. Also notable, Clarke Harvey with Pain from Ahipara gaining a placing to complete a great day for the Far North contingent; and Dargaville's Craig Lugtigheid and Johnny winning the maiden.

"Great to see the lesser experienced competitors go home with completed runs and smiling faces. Overall, if clubs can produce even working sheep like those used here, entries will come at future trials," concluded Cameron in his report from the trial.

Results from the Mangonui Sheepdog Trials at Aurere from March 7-8 were as follows.

Long Head, open: L Jecentho and Scott 98 points (thus 1st), then, A Nisbet and Maggie 97.75, Ian McKinnon and Tess 97, Allen Nisbet and Dawn 96.75, C Jay and Blaze 96.5 (5th); Intermediate: L Jecentho and Scott 98, A Nisbett and Maggie 97.5, I McKinnon Tess 97, A Nisbet and Dawn 96.75; Maiden: Stewart Allen and Tess 95.5, Ken Whittaker and Jess 91.5, Anna Blair and Dash 90.5.

Short Head and Yard: Merv Cameron and Clyde 99, Claire Thomson and Dan 98, Owen Finlayson and Lady 97, Pete Campbell and Cash 96.5, Ian McKinnon and Tess 96.25; Intermediate: P Campbell and Cash 96.5 I McKinnon and Tess 96.25 Chris Robertson and Grace 95.5; Maiden: Barney Strong and Queen 92, Francis Jockhems and Chief 90.5, A Nisbet and Prince 90; and, Local Maiden Heading: Christine Hill and Fay.

Zig Zag Hunt: Grant West and Code 96.5, L Jecentho and Storm 95.5, John Nelley and Buster 95, Graeme Smith and Henry 94.5, Kris Sturge and Fern 94.25; Intermediate: G Smith and Henry 94.5, K Sturge and Fern 94.25 Craig Lugtigheid and Johnny 94; Maiden: C Lugtigheid and Johnny 94, C Lugtigheid and Tara, and L Jecentho and Maid both 91.

Straight Hunt: G West and Code 98, G Smith and Henry 97.5, Roger Jordan and Tone 97, L Jecentho and Storm 96.5, C Harvey and Pain 96; Intermediate: G Smith and Henry 97.5, R Jordan and Tone 97, C Harvey and Pain 96; Maiden: C Lugtigheid and Johnny 94, L Jecentho and Maid 93.5, C Lugtigheid and Tara 93.

The Mangonui event at Aurere was the fourth leg of the Northland circuit. The most recent event was held at Rodney last Friday and Saturday.