Mohaka dog trials relief in cyclone crisis

The Mohaka Sheep Dog Trials on Sunday showed to be a landmark in the Cyclone Gabrielle healing for parts of the hammered Northern Hawke’s Bay location.

More than 100 dogs trialled at Paroa Station, where the trials were initially scheduled to be hung on March 25-26, almost all not formerly received the approaching nationals and numerous going after the points needed to be able to complete in the ultimate difficulty.

The North Island champions at Lochinver Station, on the Rangitaiki Plains in between Napier and Taupo, start on Monday, with more than 400 dogs gone into from throughout the North and South islands, and the South Island and New Zealand Championships will start on May 22 at the Warepa Collie Club course in South Otago.

While the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association has actually approved dispensation for cyclone-impacted dogs to certify based upon points from last season, opportunities of brand-new dogs certifying in Northern Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast have actually been restricted since of club trial cancellations, consisting of those near at hand at Wairoa in the Hawke’s Bay centre and Ruakituri and Waingake in the Poverty Bay centre.

Also cancelled in Hawke’s Bay since of the damage triggered by Cyclone Gabrielle, or by the problems produced for farmers and staff attempting to avoid their farms to complete, were trials at Te Pohue (February 17-18), Takapau (February 24-25) and Patoka (March 3-4), the season in the location resuming at Tikokino.

The February 13-14 cyclone’s consequences has actually likewise triggered the Wairoa district’s distancing and separation from the rest of Hawke’s Bay, presently a minimum of a five-hour journey away by means of Waikaremoana and Taupo.

“The likes of Josh Powdrell who had his first Open placing at Waimarama, lives up the Bushy Knoll road, and they’ve just got their bridge back,” said Mohaka trial organiser Sheena Martin.

Among those to comprehend the chance, with open arms and all 4 paws, at the Mohaka trials, were Jonty Parrott, of Tukemokihi Station, and first dog Flea, declaring Parrott Open points for the very first time in winning the straight hunt and completing 3rd in the zig-zag won by 2022 New Zealand straight hunt champ Ned George, of Wairoa, with Rex.

Martin said it was “fantastic” to have 15 first trialists, with Harry Smith and Connor getting their very first Open placements.

Of the entries, 55 huntaways and 42 heading dogs were not formerly certified, which she said was “a good indication of how tough it is for our young competitors to qualify.”

“The Wairoa district is the home of three Open Trials, two of which were cancelled after the Cyclone,” she said.

“Mohaka was postponed to allow the flats to dry out. It would have been very easy to cancel, but we pushed on to give all the competitors a chance. Thankfully, several achieved the points they needed.”

Further south, the damage from the storm implied some other compromising and improvisation was required, with slips on the Okawa course off Taihape Rd implying the long head was hung on the straight hunt course at trials hung on March 31-April 1.

In the Wairarapa-Southern Hawke’s Bay centre, the Akitio and Weber trials were cancelled, however there has actually because been trials at 7 clubs, consisting of the WSHB champions hosted by the Wainui Valley club at Tautane, near Herbertville, on March 12.

New Zealand group captain Guy Peacock and Chief won the long head title, brief head and lawn honours went to Bernard Arends and Tarn, the zig zag hunt went to Tim Stevenson and Banjo, and the straight hunt was won by Brent Matthews and Quid.

Results of recent sheep dog trials in Hawke’s Bay

Okawa (March 31-April 1):

Long head: Lindsay Schmidt, Jed, 98.5pts, 1; Jim Wilson, Cap, 98pts, 2; Peter Williams, Ike, 97.5pts, 3; Laurie Horsefall, Jed, 97pts, 4; Graham Duff, Jess, 96.75pts, 5. Intermediate – Jim Wilson, Cap; Maiden – Jake Ellingham, Lou.

Short head and lawn: Peter Williams, Guide, 95.5pts, 1; Jeremy Berry, Vent, 94pts, 2; Chris Redmond Dee, 92pts, 3; Lindsay Schmidt, Dolly, 91.5pts, 4; Clark Chrystal, Prince, 91pts, 5. Intermediate – Jeremy Berry, Vent; Maiden – Nigel Clark, Spy.

Zig zag hunt: Mark Loye, Stone, 96.25pts, 1; Stu Stalker, Monk, 96pts, 2; Grant Magee, Belle, 95.5pts, 3; Dan Jury, Chrystal, 95.25pts, 4; Jack Murray, Phil, 95pts, 5. Intermediate – Mark Loye, Stone; Maiden – Stu Stalker, Harry.

Straight hunt: Dylan Gallien, Troop, 96.5pts, 1; Jack Ellingham, Rome, 96pts, 2; Grant Magee, Belle, 95.5pts, 3; Hamish Mead, Ruby, 95pts, 4; Paddy Burke, Murphy, 94.5pts, 5. Intermediate and maiden – Jack Ellingham, Rome.

Taradale (April 14-15):

Long head: Bob Bruce, Ruby,9.5pts, 1; Graeme Ryder, Jaco, 97pts, 2; Jeremy Berry, Vent, 96pts, 3; Steve Ponsonby, Chook, 95pts, 4; Laurie Horsefall, Thor, 94.5pts, 5. Intermediate – Jeremy Berry, Vent; Maiden – Tom Deighton, Boo.

Short head and lawn: Jamie Shrubsall, Ace, 96.5pts, 1; Junior Mullins, Ace, 96pts, 2; Bruce D’Ath, Ted, 94pts, 3; Peter Williams, Guide, 93.5pts, 4; Howard Ingles, Clyde, 93pts, 5. Intermediate – Junior Mullins, Ace; Maiden – Chris Redmond, Jimmy.

Zig zag hunt: Lindsay Wink, Grace, 95pts, 1; Jamie Shrubsall, Bess, 94.5pts, 2; Tori Nicholson, Lou, 94pts, 3; Jamie Shrubsall, Manson, 93.5pts, 4; Grant Magee, Belle, 93pts, 5. Intermediate – Lindsay Wink, Grace; Maiden – Tori Nicholson, Lou.

Straight hunt: Jamie Shrubsall, Rusty, 96pts, 1; Jamie Shrubsall, Bess, 95.5pts, 2; David Black, Mint, 95pts, 3; Jim Wilson, Mace, 94.5pts, 4; Rocky Hawkins, Box, 94pts, 5. Intermediate – Jamie Shrubsall, Bess; Maiden – Hamish Mead, Millie.

Te Aute (April 21-22):

Long head: Bob Bruce, Ruby, 97.5pts, 1; Bob Bruce, Susan, 95.5pts, 2; Graham Duff, Jess, 94pts, 2; Dave Evans, Meg, 93.5pts, 4; Jim Wilson, Cap, 93.25pts, 5. Intermediate –Dave Evans, Meg; Maiden – Tom Deighton, Ace.

Short head and lawn: Graham Duff, Jess, 97pts, 1; Bob Bruce, Ruby, 95.5pts, 2; Peter Williams, Ike, 95pts, 3; Jim Wilson, Cap, 94pts, 4; Lindsay Schmidt, Jed, 93pts, 5. Intermediate – Peter Williams, Ike; Tom Deighton, Ace.

Zig Zag hunt: Ian Healey, Tempo, 96pts, 1; Rob Gallien, Shield, 95pts, 2; Tim Stevenson, Raid, 94pts, 3; Dan Jury, Chrystal, 93.5pts, 4; Matt Murphy, Hugh, 93pts, 5. Intermediate – Ian Healey, Tempo; Maiden – Jock Stratton, Bella.

Straight hunt: Lou Watt, Izzy, 98pts, 1; Dan Jury, Chrystal, 96pts, 2; Grant Magee, Belle, 95.75pts, 3; Dan Jury, Ice, 93pts, 4; Rob Gallien, Murk, 92pts, 5. Intermediate – Dan Jury, Ice; Maiden – Ben Weeks, Heidi.

Mohaka (April 23)

Long head: Allan Irwin, Murray, 91pts, 1; Steve Kelleher, Ace, 90pts, 2; Barry McIntire, Spike, 88pts, 3; Hannah Hutchinson, Lola, 85pts, 4; Angus Twigley, Kate, 83pts, 5. Intermediate – Allan Irwin, Murray; Maiden – Angus Twigley, Kate.

Short head and lawn: Allan Irwin, Murray, 92.5pts, 1; Tom Manson, Trim, 91.5pts, 2; Harry Smith, King, 85pts, 3; Barry McIntire, Spike, 82pts, 4; Jamie Powdrell, Jag, 80.5pts, 5. Intermediate – Allan Irwin, Murray; Maiden – Tom Manson, Trim.

Zig zag hunt: Ned George, Rex, 92.5pts, 1; Angus Twigley, Grouse, 92pts, 2; Jonty Parrott, Flea, 91.5pts, 3; Toni Blundell, Grace, 91pts, 4; Hannah Hutchinson, Sparkles, 90.5pts, 5. Intermediate and Maiden – Ned George, Rex.

Straight hunt: Jonty Parrott, Flea, 97pts, 1; Bex Scragg, Scooby, 96pts, 2; Angus Twigley, Phill, 95pts, 3; Angus Twigley, Grouse, 94pts, 4; Connor Ratana, Coby, 93pts, 5. Intermediate and maiden: Jonty Parrott, Flea.