Dog trials reveal the best of talent at Akitio

James Hemopo and his dog Ruby.

A successful two days' trialling was held at Akitio in early March.

The weather stayed nice both days, the sheep worked well on all four courses, and there was a great turnout of competitors including a large contingent from outside the Centre.

Two former club members — Brent Mathews and Chris "Critta" Shaw — came back to show us how it's done in class 1 and class 3 respectively, a great trial also for local man James Hemopo.

Event one — long head judge:

Art Eastham 1 Brent Mathews — Reef 98.5, 2 Howard Ingles — Lou 98, 3Paul Evans- Bryte 97.5, 4 Adam Roe — Dougal 97.25, 5 Gary Smith — Ned 97. 1 Intermediate Michael Hart — Kate 94.75. 1 Maiden J Hemopo — Trick 93.

Event two — short head and yard, judge:

Stu Henson. 1 Cory Caseley — Chief 96.5, 2 John Bartlett — Honk 95.5, 3 Chris Redmond — Rose 94.5, 4 Bernard Arends — Roy 94, 5 Nigel Clark — Meg 93. 1 Intermediate Chris Redmond — Rose 94.5. 1 Maiden Bernard Arends — Winx 89.

Event three — zig zag hunt

judge: Gerard Brown. 1 Chris Shaw — Dixie 97.5, 2 Allen Irwin — Dan 97.25, 3 Matt Nolan — Rodge 97, 4 David Scragg — Kate 96.5, 5 Cory Caseley — Sage 96. 1 Intermediate Matt Nolan — Rodge 97. 1 Maiden Mat Nolan — Rodge 97.

Event four — straight hunt

judge: Ian Healey. 1 Terry Bould — Slam 93.25, 2 Samantha Shaw — Breeze 93, 3 James Hemopo — Ruby 92.5, 4 Simon Prouting — Roe 92, 5 Joe Wyat — Brute 91.5. 1 Intermediate James Hemopo — Ruby 92.5. 1 Maiden James Hemopo — Ruby 92.5.

WEBER SHEEPDOG TRIAL RESULTS

A successful trial for the Weber Club with the sheep performing well. Akitio Club member James Hemepoclaimed a third place at his home trial Akitio — at the start of the weekend then won at Weber. Rob Kjestrup has found some time to spend in the training paddock too.

Top Heading dog is Bernard Arends Roy on 21 followed by John Bartlett with Honk on 12.
Chris Shaw has notched up two wins with Dixie to lead the Huntaway section on 10 points and fellow Tinui Collie Club member, Joe Wyeth is two with Brute on eight points.

March 4 and 5 Event one — long head, judge: Simon McDonald.

1 Howard Ingles — Lou 98, 2 Nigel Clark — Jan 97.75, 3 John Bartlett — Fetch 97.50, 4 John Bartlett — Honk 97.25, 5 Laurie Horsefall — Raid 97. 1 Intermediate Vaughan Marfell — Glen 96. 1 Maiden John Foss — Gem 90.5.

Event two — short head and yard, judge: Aaron Morton.

1 Jamie Shrubsall — Whip 98.5,2 Rob Kjestrup — Jim 97, 3 Brian Burke — Stone 96.5, 4 Tim Hunter — Doll 96.25, 5 Graham Wellington — Rachel 96. 1 Intermediate Rob Kjestrup — Jim 97. 1 Maiden Jim Wilson — Cap 94.

Event three — zig zag hunt, judge: Michael Hart.

1 James Hemepo — Ruby 97.5, 2 Rob Kjestrup — Tom 97, 3 Simon Prouting — Vince 96.75, 4 Brent Mathews — Ridge 96.5, 5 Vaughan Marfell — Torque 96.25. 1 Intermediate James Hemepo — Ruby 97.5. 1 Maiden James Hemepo — Ruby 97.5.

Event four — straight hunt

judge: Peter McFetridge. 1 Alan Irwin — Chase 98, 2 David Scragg — Kate 97.5, 3 Bex Baynes — Tom 97.25, 4 Guy Heard — Sky 97, 5 Gerard Brown — Tempo 96.5. 1 Intermediate David Scragg — Kate 97.5. 1 Maiden Rob Kjestrup — Tui 95.5.