Waimumu to go to the dogs at Southern Field Days

Brian Dickison, of Gore, and Ash move their sheep steadily through the course at last year's indoor dog trial. Photo: Allied Press Files

Man and dog are set to transform the Southern Field Days CowHouse Construction Agri Centre in Waimumu next month.

The annual Southern Indoor Charity Dog Trial is set for August 7-9, with Hospice Southland this year's recipient.

Chairman Mike Joyce said organisers thought they were a very worthy cause, and were hoping the event would be just as successful this year as it had been in previous years.

''Competitors are coming from Marlborough south.''

Last year, 160 entries were received for the three-day event, which is the only indoor dog trial in the South Island.

Organisers had also changed the way finalists were decided for this year's event.

This year, the top seven entries across the three days would take part in the run-off on the third day.

''It's being run like any New Zealand dog trial,'' Mr Joyce said.

The past two years the top competitors from each day had gone through, but organisers thought the new approach was a fairer option, he said.

There were open, maiden and novice sections and competition will get under way at 7.30am on each of the three days.

Being the off-season for dog trials and a quieter time on farm for dog work, it was a good chance for triallists to get their canine friends out and about, Mr Joyce said.

He also encouraged spectators to come down and check out the action.

The top seven run-off will be held on Thursday, August 9 in the afternoon.

Southern Rural Life