Sheepdog trials: Child brothers run riot at Mangakahia

Sean McDonald, Delwyn Osborne, Roger Jordan and Chris Robertson braving the conditions at the Mangakahia Sheep Dog Trial last weekend.

It took quite some effort for many to refrain from using the term, "raining cats and dogs" to describe proceedings at the third leg of the Northland sheep dog trial circuit at Mangakahia last week on Friday and Saturday.

Trial commentator Merv Cameron said the results spoke for themselves, with all four events split between the Child brothers, Murray and Neville. Also standing out, Alex McLiver — grandson of the renowned Mick Livers — gaining a third place in the long head with his dog, Breeze.

"Breeze is a lovely bitch and this is their first open placing. I watched Breeze the previous week on the other big long head hill course at Ohaeawai and she really knuckled down and ran hard — impressive! This third place will be a result Alex will treasure for a long time," he said.

The sheep from Graeme Smith showed the benefits of having been pre-worked and performed well overall.

However, perhaps the most memorable factor at this event was the weather.

"Visibility was hard at times with fog and rain. I have never before seen so many people in gumboots at a February dog trial. The amount of mud was astounding," Cameron noted.
Organisers also congratulated the club's new member Roger Davis for taking out the maiden in event 4 with Meg and also paid acknowledgement to the caterers, land owners, competitors and spectators.

"Without you the trials wouldn't be possible."

Results from the Mangakahia Sheep Dog Trial on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10, were:

Event one, long head (judge Tony Comins): Murray Child with Dice 98.5 points, 1, Neville Child with Rod 96, 2, A McLiver with Breeze 95.75, 3, Scott McRae with Cory 95.5, 4, S McRae with Skeeta 92.5; 1st intermediate: A Mcliver with Breeze 95.75, 1st maiden: I Bullen with Zac 92.5.

Event two, short head and yard (judge Ken Whittaker): N Child with Harry 95, 1, A Nisbet with Pat 93.5, 2, S. McRae with Corey 91.5, 3, M Child with Dice 89.5, 4, M Child with Nell 88.5, 5; 1st intermediate: A Nisbet with Pat 93.5, 1st maiden: R Dackers with Gemma 83.

Event three, Zig zag hunt (judge Mike Moody): M Child with Frank 98, 1, G Smith with Henry 97, 2, M Child with Ralph 95.5, 3; B Wilson with Cruize 95, 4, N Child with Simon 94.5, 5; 1st intermediate: M Child with Ralph 95.5, 1st maiden: R. Jordon with Zac 91.5.

Event four, straight hunt (M Moody): M Child with Frank 98, 1, S McRae with Toby 95.5, 2, C Lugigheid with Rich 94.5, 3, C Lugigheid with Tara 94, 4, E Long with Olive 93.5, 5; 1st intermediate: C Lugigheid with Rich 94.5, 1st maiden: R. Davis with Meg 91.

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UPCOMING. Round 4 of the provincial series will be held at Omamari this Saturday and Sunday.