Busy start to trials

Sheep dog Punch at work on the farm for stock manager Dylan Rofe. Last week Punch and Rofe claimed their first sheep dog trial title, at Waikoau.

The Hawke's Bay sheep dog trials season is off to a flying start, with welcome signs of young blood coming through in what was a big couple of days last week at Waikoau.

There were 120 hunts and 100 heading runs, which Hawke's Bay centre president and host club member Clark Chrystal said made for a "very busy" start to the season, bolstered by a "very high percentage" of younger competitors.

Leading the charge was Dylan Rofe, 25, a former Napier Boys' High School old boy now stock managing Parihohonu Station, north of Gisborne.

He was chasing the trials with a particular edge developed since his days at Smedley, from where he graduated in 2009 with the top prize for stockmanship.

He had a major success with a dog appropriately named Punch - a maiden that punched well above its weight to claim his master's first Open title, a victory in the straight hunt.

Somewhat modestly, as it happens, for the win was news to parents Sandra and Murray when we called them at their home near Bay View on Tuesday.

He'd moved in April from Mangatawhiti, Northern Hawke's Bay, and had previously worked at Toronui Station, Te Pohue.

Punch, one of his team of eight working dogs, has been a loyal partner, and not a bad investment, as it turns out.

He was free when Rofe got him about six years ago from a fellow former Smedley cadet.

With five points for the win, he has to secure just one point more to qualify for this year's championships, associated with the South Island championships near Omarama.

Punch was a surprise last week, and Rofe said he thought he'd go better with trials kennelmates Mya and Bang.

"He's gone alright, with a few minor placings, but never won anything," he said. "But he worked well in both the run and the zig zag."

Home club member and long head event Dave Wallace got off to a rollicking start with kennel stalwart Blue, the first dog he trialled.

Now rising nine years, Blue was still good enough to score a double in both heading events, a confidence-boosting 10 points towards the Merial Ancare heading dog title, to be awarded at the end of the season.

Wallace, who also got Toi into the money in the short head and yard but bombed with his two other dogs, is, however, more interested in nationals qualifying points, with the fingers now on the keyboard ready to book the way to the big event at Omarama, starting on the last Monday in May.

"It was a bit of luck," he said of the big start, which contrasted with a moderate season last year, in which he was unable to win a Hawke's Bay trial, but did collar one with Toi in the Poverty Bay centre last March.

The second Hawke's Bay trials of the season will be held at Okawa tomorrow and Saturday, and the Wairarapa SHB centre has its Wainui Valley trials on the same days near Herbertville.

Rofe, who grew-up on Tutira farm, plans to head for the Whatatutu trials north of Gisborne this weekend, but wants to compete at Patok on March 3-5 as the club hosts the Hawke's Bay Centre championships. Once the season ends, a bit of rugby may call.

Results:

Waikoau Sheep Dog Club trial at Waikoau on Friday-Saturday, January 29-30:

Long head: Dave Wallace, Blue, 98pts, 1; Graeme Wellington, Murphy, 97.75pts, 2; Bob Bryson, Rex, 97.5pts, 3; Rob O'Sullivan, Busta, 97pts, 4; Don Avenell, McCaw, 96.5pts, 5. Intermediate: Rob O'Sullivan Busta. Maiden: Todd Harris, Gyp.
Short head and yard: Dave Wallace, Blue, 98pts, 1; Bob Bryson, Rex, 97.75pts, 2; Dave Wallace, Toi, 97.5pts, 3; Scott Wedd, Kip, 97pts, 4; Kevin O'Connor, Key, 96.5pts, 5. Intermediate: Kevin O'Connor, Key. Maiden, Brenda O'Leary, Hine.
Zig zag hunt: Tom Manson, Cash, 97.5pts, 1; Clark Chrystal, Flynn, 96.5pts, 2; Stu McNeill, Ranger, 96pts, 3; Barney Chrystal, Jewell, 95.25pts, 4; Jono Neilson, Spur, 95pts, 5. Intermediate: Tom Manson, Cash. Maiden: Clark Chrystal, Flynn.
Straight hunt: Dylan Rofe, Punch, 97.5pts, 1; Jono Neilson, Spur, 97pts, 2; Dave Evans, Rose, 96.5pts, 96.5pts, 3; Henry Gaddum, Gus, 96pts, 4; Brett Loffler, Tan, 95.5pts, 5. Intermediate and Maiden: Dylan Rofe, Punch.