A local shepherd has boldly predicted a strong Northland presence will be seen in the finals of the national sheepdog championships in Taupo later this month.
After the conclusion of the Northland circuit earlier this month, top Kaitaia triallist Merv Cameron stated: "Northland will have dogs in the finals, beassured of this."
The Molesworth trials on April 26 and 27 concluded the season and allowed the final standings of the best performers over the series to be finalised. Clearly leading the heading dog standings with 41 points were current national long-head title holders, Murray Child with Dice of Maungakaramea. The pair consistently won or placed at most trials this season, and were very successful further afield as well. Also notable were Leo Jecentho's Cap with a total of 23 points while his young bitch Fly came through at the end of the season to acquire 20 points.
"Great efforts!" Cameron remarked of those results. While the huntaways were lighter in numbers in comparison, John Nelley and Buster with 59 points were well clear of Scott McRae's Otis on 50 points.
The names below are the top dogs within the Northland Centre following the 12 trials on the circuit over the past three months. Many but not all will attend the nationals. (And even though he features on the list, Cameron will not attend the nationals as he's travelling to France to attend a wedding of a family friend.)
The qualifiers were, Hunts: John Nelley and Buster 59 points (eg top qualifier), Scott McRae and Otis 50, Reece Dackers and Kate 36, Murray Child and Frank 33, Clare Thomson and Rebel 23, Graeme West and Duke, Tony Comins and Shelley 18, Leo Jecentho and Storm 14, G West and Code 9, S Osborne and Jess 8, B Wilson and Sonny 6, N Child and Reign, K Sturge and Fern 6, Ken Whittaker and Tim.
Heading dogs: Murray Child and Dice 41, Leo Jecentho and Cap, Allan Nisbet and Maggie 22, L Jecentho and Fly, M Child and May 17, and Ace 17, Scott McRae and Elle 16, Tony Hargreaves and Steele 16, Owen Finlayson and Cap 15, D Gilligan and Tim 13, O Finlayson and Lady 13, S McRae and Skeeta 11, M Cameron and Clyde 9, Rhys Dackers and Speed 8, Ian McKinnon and Tess 7, Shaun Haynes and Doc 7, L Jecentho and Pet.
Others who gained the qualifying 6 points at trials outside the Northland circuit included Chris Robertson and Grace, Neville Child and Hawke, Pete Campbell and Cash, and Clare Thomson and Dan.
