The winning run of Howard Ingles and Trump was clearly way above all others on the big long head course at the Rodney leg of the 2013 Northland sheepdog trial circuit last Thursday and Friday.
However, the sheer scale of the infamous and rough hill at Rodney seemed to have scared off a lot of competitors with entries in this division notably down, as remarked event commentator Merv Cameron, who also judged this division.
"However as should be, it was this runout which eventually determined the final placings," Merv said, adding, "Most pulls were very loose on the steep section and so made the overall points quite low for a long head."
He also noted Trump was probably quite comfortable on this steep rough hill having grown up on Mangaheia Station, Tolaga Bay, which had similar country. In comparison, the short head and yard had good entry numbers but many incomplete runs. "The sheep off the property knew where to escape to and consistently achieved their aim."
In the hunts, Judge Leo Jecentho had a hard lot to judge with the sheep not wanting to climb the hill but noted the eventual winning runs were quite good. John Nelley's Buster showed more good form in winning both events, and continuing Buster's meteoric rise to the top of the provincial standings (which began shortly after he featured on the back page of the Northland Age shaking paws with his handler after winning a trial at Broadwood six years ago). Also notable was local club president Brett Wilson who gained a couple of placings in both hunt events, likely his first ever as he had not done many trials.
The top five placings in each event from the Rodney Sheepdog trials on March 7 and 8 were as follows. Long head (judge Merv Cameron) H Ingles and Trump 96 points, 1 (e.g. 1st); D Gilligan and Tim 93.5, 2; M Child and Ace 92.5, 3; N Child and Hawke 92.25, 4; L Jecentho and Cap 92, 5. Short head and yard (Les Child): L Jecentho and Cap 89, 1; T Hargreaves and Shrew 88.5, 2; M Child and Dice 87.5, 3; M Child and May 87, 4; O Finlayson and Lady 83, 5.
Zig zag hunt (Leo Jecentho): J Nelley and Buster 96, 1; M Child and Frank 94, 2; C Thomson and Rebel 93.5, 3; B Wilson and Sony 92.75, 4; M Child and Jimmy 92.5, 5. Straight hunt (L Jecentho): J Nelley and Buster 96, 1; N Child and Reign 95.5, 2; T Comins and Shelley 95, 3; C Thomson and Rebel 92.5, 4; B Wilson and Sonny 76, 5. There were no intermediate or maiden results for either division.
The Northland circuit continues this weekend with the Otamatea trials at Marahemo on Saturday and Sunday (March 16 and 17) with Merv predicting the ground conditions will be very dry with the Northland drought in full swing.