NZ dog trials: 'Rock solid' as a sport

Stuart Millar and Tess (Glenroy) in action at this week's Tux North Island and New Zealand sheep dog trials championship. Photo/Gisborne Herald

New Zealand sheep dog trialling is in great heart in quantity and quality as evidenced by the high standard of competition so far this week at the national championships.

The 300 competitors involved in the Tux North Island and New Zealand championships at Pouawa qualified from 4500 competitors nationwide.

"We are rock-solid now as a sport after a rough patch when the decline in sheep numbers started, but competitor numbers have come back," said New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association president Graham White.

Sheep Dog Trial Association president Graham White says the quality of competition this week is right up there with the very best New Zealand championships he's been to. Photo/Gisborne Herald

"It is fantastic to see the incredible age spread, with our youngest competitor aged just 14 years up to our oldest at 94.

"It is great to see so many young ones coming through, both men and women, and the young women are proving to be very capable."

Mr White said the association encouraged the young ones through training days around the country while the older competitors were always there to give them a helping hand.

"If we did not have that surge in younger competitors we would be in trouble because they are the ones who will keep our sport going. We are in great heart.

"Sheep dog trials involve such a good bunch of like-minded people who share the same passion both for the sport and for the farming livelihood our dogs help provide. Our dogs are very loyal servants."

Mr White said the standard of competition this week was "very high".

"We are only into the fourth day but the quality of competition here is right up there with the very best New Zealand championships I have been to."

He was full of praise for the way the Poverty Bay centre had staged the championships.

"They have done an extremely good job. There was two years of planning involved to get this event off the ground.

"We could not have done it without the support of the landowners and the suppliers of the sheep.

"We have local shepherds involved as liberators, a truck firm carts the sheep and the ladies involved in the catering have been doing a top job.

"It has been a real community effort.

"On behalf of everyone competing here and everyone involved in the event thanks to Gisborne for the way this has been put on," Mr White said.

The Otago farmer from Taieri was re-elected for a third term as New Zealand president at the association's annual meeting on Tuesday night.

- Gisborne Herald