In-form Murray Child adds to sheepdog success

Murray Child and Boy - shown here on their way to winning the Tux Yarding Challenge national title in the King Country last month - took out the long head event at the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trial in the Mid North on Saturday afternoon.

Murray Child and Boy showed their success at the national finals of the Tux Yarding Challenge in the King Country last month (see story below) was no fluke by taking out the long head title at the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trial on Saturday.

Local commentator Merv Cameron said it soon became apparent for onlookers the Child/ Boy combination were going to put on a bit of a show.

"Fresh from winning the national Tux Yarding title, Boy again showed what a force he is by putting together a lovely run."

Also standing out were Ian McKinnon and Meg, winning the short head and yard with the very first run of the two-day trial on Friday morning.

"The saying that the early bird catches the worm was very true where the pairing of McKinnon and young Meg put in a great effort to hold off Laura Geering from Te Akau with Prince," said Merv, noting it was Meg's first win and adding, "Laura and Prince will still be over the moon with their effort, which continues a great run for her at Northland trials, be it Tux-type events or hill trials."

Elsewhere, huntaway specialist Maurice 'Mo' Yearbury from Tuakau continued to set the pace following his success in the opening leg of the domestic series at Helensville by winning the zig zag hunt with Harry and finishing runner-up with Rusty to Child's Jimmy in the straight hunt.

"His compatriot, Howard Ingles, ex-Tolaga Bay, is staking his claim as well but with Child's Jimmy and Frank, along with Scott McRae's Toby and Graeme Smith's Henry, they will be pushed hard at coming trials," Merv noted.

The second leg of the Northland sheep dog trial circuit was held in a variety of conditions at Mt Ahu Ahu near Ohaeawai, from overcast, misty and drizzly weather on Friday clearing to harsh summer skies on Saturday.

As noted in Tuesday's edition, the mixed aged ewes tested a few of the dogs on some courses and proved tricky.

Being early in the trial season, theheat on the Saturday together with the big hill at Mt Ahu Ahu challenged unfit dogs.

On farms, most sheepwork required is done early morning while it is cooler and easier on the dogs.

"In the heading events, unless the dogs are fit, the long head on bigger hills will defeat their efforts. It showed at the Bay of Islands event that many dogs started well but dipped in on the last third of the outrun and so lost all chance."

Good turnouts for both opening legs of this year's series - Helensville on January 27-28, and Bay of Islands last Friday and Saturday - has gotten the Northland centre series off to a very good start, although losing the Omamari and Mangonui legs was somewhat of a setback.

Winners at Helensville (which reported the biggest number of dogs for many years) included Ken Whittaker with Jess in the long head, Steve Child with Brodie in the short head and yard, M Yearbury and Ernie in the zig zag hunt, and R Thompson with Chev in the straight hunt.

Coming up: In his preview of the Mangakahia SDT this Friday and Saturday, Merv noted round 3 is being held on one of the hardest hills on the circuit. "This will sort them [dogs] out and it's hoped the predicted small amount of rain this week may bring cooler weather with it."

Mangakahia will be followed by a month's break due to drought conditions and unavailable grounds which have respectively caused the Omamari and Mangonui trials to be scratched from this year's series.

The Mangonui trials will return next year and will be held on the Landcorp grounds at Rangiputa.

- Other events on the 2017 Northland Sheep Dog Trial Centre series are, Rodney from March 10-11, Otamatea from March 18-19, Hobson from March 24-25, Mt Manaia from April 1-3, Broadwood from April 7-9 (including the Northland championships on April 9), Molesworth from April 20-21, and Maungakaramea April 22-23.