Tough and intelligent Huntaway dogs are the centrepiece of the annual Hunterville Shemozzle in Rangitīkei, but heading dogs were the stars this time around as contestants and their four-legged friends flocked to the district.
A record number of 255 heading dogsconverged at Ōhingaiti as both experienced triallists and rookies scrapped for the silverware at the annual Tux Yarding Challenge.
The contest, organised by the Whanganui Sheep Dog Trial Centre and held last weekend, has been an annual mainstay for the past 20 years at the Ōhingaiti Domain.
The local economy was abuzz with the Station Hotel in Hunterville, the Ōhingaiti Hotel and the nearby Flat Hills cabins fully booked for the duration.
Whanganui Centre president Wayne Falkner said Jecentho and Zap were superb in the final run-off, outscoring the 18-strong field with 99.5 points.
“The standard is very, very high,” Falkner said.
Some of the stars of the 2025 Tux Yarding Challenge at Ōhingaiti (from left): timekeeper Elenor Elly, Judge Peter Campbell, Heather Gee Taylor with Haka and Luzia Meara and Mouse (Maiden finalist and champion, respectively).
“The top run was won with a 99.5 out of 100 – well, it’s just about perfection.”
Falkner said the 400 Romney ewe hoggets supplied by Josh Brennan of Rangawahia were up to the challenge.
Luzia Meara and Mouse.
And the newly crowned champion in the Maiden competition was Luzia Meara with Mouse.
Peter Campbell from Northland judged the Tux Yarding Challenge.
This year’s Huntaway Festival will attract more people to the Rangitikei District in early November.
