Last year's finalists ham it up for the Country TV cameras - Sheena Martin from Wairoa, Kathryn Oliver from Raetihi, Graeme Northcott from Urenui, timekeeper Keady O'Leary; judge Chris Baker and Erin Ball from Northland.
Last year's finalists ham it up for the Country TV cameras - Sheena Martin from Wairoa, Kathryn Oliver from Raetihi, Graeme Northcott from Urenui, timekeeper Keady O'Leary; judge Chris Baker and Erin Ball from Northland.
The Mighty Mix Taranaki dog trial club holds its annual Showring Championships in the TSB Stadium at the Egmont A&P showgrounds in Hawera next week.
Competition starts on Friday, July 7, and runs through Saturday, with the top qualifiers in the run-off on the Sunday.
Don White from Mataroa at the U obstacle in last year's event.
The event is in itsninth year and has grown to such an extent that, for the first time, entries far exceeded the club's ability to handle the number of competitors and dogs wanting to take part.
So entries were cut off at 237 dogs, and the Wanganui centre is well represented with 44, while Taranaki has 39 and the rest of the competitors come from Northland, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Waikato and the Wairarapa.
2016 winner Leo Jecentho from Hamilton will be back again at Hawera.
Several dogs that recently featured in the New Zealand sheep dog trial championships at Whangara, Gisborne, will all be competing.
The club is particularly pleased to welcome Denise Vincent and Mike Paul from Totalspan, Wanganui, on board as major sponsors this year.
Meanwhile, Wendy Schmidt from Levin - winner of the event in 2015 - will judge the competition.
Twenty-five woman have entered with 50 dogs between them and it is good to see three novices having their first go, and maiden competitors taking part.
For the past five years this event has supported two vital rural services each alternate year.
It produced $3000 for St John Hawera last year, and this time is sponsoring the Taranaki rescue helicopter.
With prize money in excess of $4000 over all classes, it promises to be an exciting and quality competition.
Country TV filmed the run-off last year and ran the programme over six weeks, and will do the same again this year.
It looks to be a great occasion for the organising team, led by club president Ian Smith, from Waverley, and sponsorship co-ordinator Graeme Northcott, from Urenui.
