The Bay of Islands Sheepdog Trial Club hosted the second leg of the Northland Sheepdog Trials circuit for 2015 on Friday and Saturday.
While the sheep were reported as being very good throughout, the blustery southerly winds whistling around Mt Te Ahu Ahu near Ohaeawai on the first day made it particularly difficult for the competing dogs to hear their masters' directions, thus many runs were unable to be penned.
However, the quality improved in more tranquil conditions as the weather settled on the Saturday.
The undisputed standout at the event had to be Scott McRae from Wellsford, who won the long head and placed runner-up in the short head and yard with Skeata, and also won the zig zag hunt with his AI-bred huntaway, Toby. Results from the event were as follows.
HEADING. Long head, judged by R Hastie: N Child with Hawke 97 points, 1 (thus 1st), Scott Mcrae and Skeata 96, 2, H Ingles and Trump 95.5, 3, O Finlayson and Cap 93.5, 4, A Nisbet and Maid 93; intermediate: A Nisbet and Maid 93, maiden: S Silby and Dawn 75. Short head and yard, judge D Gilligan: S McRae and Sceata 93.5, 1, H Ingles and Trump 88, 2, R Jordan and Drift 87.5, 3, R Hastie and Jack 87, 4, A Nisbet and Maggie 86, 5; Intermediate: T Hargreaves and Shrew 85.5, Maiden: E McCarthy and Poppy 75.
