Wanganui Centre takes honours at Feilding dog trials

Don White and dog Jazz from Mataroa at longhead ring at the Feilding trial.

By Brenda O'Leary
Wanganui Centre Publicity Office

The Feilding & District Sheep Dog Trial Club started the new hill season off with a very successful two days of trialling last weekend.

There were 180 heading dogs and 205 huntaways put through the four courses, with Wanganui Centre trialists taking out all the top prizes.

Long-time club stalwart Tommy Hodgetts now lives in Feilding, and his son Kevin is the president of the club and has a good support team around him.

New secretary Debbie Clare said they may have lost some experience but they have gained some fresh legs, with two new people joining the club this year.

Landowners Kevin and Aileen Hodgetts, Liz and Richard Atkins and Tony and Kay Gallen all supplied sheep for the four courses, a huge advantage for the club having the sheep on site and really appreciated.

The Whangamomona Club in eastern Taranaki also held their trial on the same dates as Feilding.

The Taranaki centre has had a particularly sad start to their season with the sudden death of well-known huntaway man Graeme Dickson from the Egmont club.

A man larger than life, he will be missed greatly by his fellow trialists in Taranaki and throughout the country.

To their credit the Whangamomona Club rallied and put on a absolutely fantastic trial, good sheep, impeccably prepared courses and divine country food. Wanganui triallists and some from the King Country made the trip to show support for a centre hit by tragedy.

The Taranaki Centre championships will be held at the Whangamomona grounds in 2019 - definitely the place to be.

Feilding Results:

Class 1: 1, R Mather & Sheen 98; 2, H Linton & Kip 97; 3, B Arends & Roy 96.5; 4, H Ingles & Lou 96.25; 5, J Shrubsall & Whip 96.

Intermediate: L Gratten & Abby 94. Open/maiden: H Ingles & Pip 89.

Maiden man/maiden dog: P Lambourn & Moss 68.

Class 2: 1, G Peacock & Chief 97.5; 2, B Parkinson & Ash 96; 3, G White & Josie 95.5; 4, R Hawkins & Glen 94; 5, R Mather & Posh 93.5.

Intermediate: B Parkinson & Ash 96. Open/maiden: J Wilson & Sam 89.5.

Maiden man/maiden dog: D Newcombe & Dude 65.

Class 3: 1, M Loye & Taz 96.5; 2, G Falloon & Wag 96; 3, A Matthews & Rex 95; 4, P Green & Brew 94.5; 5, A Mathews & Bonnie 94.

Intermediate: M Loye & Taz 96.5. Open/maiden: A Mathews & Bonnie 94.

Maiden man/maiden dog: A Higgins & Sledge 85.

Class 4: 1, G Guiniven & Dark 98.5; 2, K Jacobs & Meg 98.4; 3, B Parkinson & Tune 98.3; 4, G Drake & Glen 98.2; 5, M Henderson & Pippa 98.1.

Intermediate: K Jacobs & Meg 98.4. Open/maiden: J Shrubsall & Manson 97.

Maiden man/maiden dog: A Higgins & Sledge 91.