Young Guns fire several shots at Omatane-Kawhatau dog trials

THEY'RE IN: Young Gun Angus Higgins, who works for Gavin Drake at Karatu Station, and his dog, Pearl, penning.

By Brenda O'Leary Publicity Officer, Wanganui Centre

The annual Omatane-Kawhatau sheep dog trials took place last weekend on the Kelly farm at Omatane, Taihape.

Secretary Sheryl Hooper was very pleased with the entries and feedback was that the sheep on the short head were very good with the greatest number of completed runs for many years.

Club member Marcus Totman had a great weekend, winning the short head with intermediate dog Val and taking out the straight hunt with maiden huntaway Hank. He has had a couple of years out with his young family, so it was good to see him back and in such good form.

The Young Guns (Mackintosh Shearing) competition kicked off at Omatane with 11 competitors taking part. This was the first of the nine-trial series, the others coming at Taumaranui, Tokorima, Rangitaiki, Kaitieke, Mataroa, Raetihi, Moawhango and Mangamahu.

Young Guns competitors must be 25 years of age or less at January 1, 2018, and if they can get to all nine trials it gives them a great chance of claiming something from the prize pool of $5000.

After the first trial in the round-robin, Brendon Meehan and King are seven points in front in the heads, with Angus Higgins and Pearl second.

Hamish Mackay leads with Millie in the hunts and placed second in the open zig-zag hunt - a great effort - while Fordell lad Phillip Palmer is not too far away in the hunts with Squeeze. Young Gun Tristin Mallalieu and Tui took out the Tex Brennan Memorial Cup for the most correct and promising huntaway and are second.

It will be interesting to see how these young people improve and progress.

Results

Class 1: 1, B Parkinson & Ash 97; 2, R Mather & Posh 96.5; 3, J Bartlett & Honk 96; 4, L Patterson & Ridge 95.5; 5, P Evans & Ritchie 95.

Intermediate: 1, B Parkinson & Ash 97. Open/maiden: G Drake & Baldy 93.5.

Class 2: 1, M Totman & Val 93; 2, R Mather & Sonny Bill 90.5; 3, J Harvey & Bob 90; 4, J Bartlett & Honk 89.5; 5, W Falkner & Roz 88.5.

Intermediate: 1, M Totman & Val 93. Open/maiden: W Falkner & Roz 88.5.

Class 3: 1, J Brennan & Rock 96.5; 2, H Mackay & Millie 96; 3, G Drake & Glen 95.5; 4, J Mullins & Hana 95.25; 5, G Guiniven & Dark 95.

Intermediate: 1, H Mackay & Millie 96. Maiden: H Mackay & Millie 96.

Class 4: 1, M Totman & Hank 95.5; 2, B Parkinson & Fake 95.25; 3, G Falloon & Gin 95; 4, H Parkinson & Force 94.75; 5, A Coleman & Jake 94.5.

Intermediate: 1, M Totman & Hank 95.5. Open/maiden M Totman & Hank 95.5.