Highly successful Dog Trials

Another successful Dog Trials drew competitors from as far away as New Plymouth, Taihape, Ohingaiti, Waverly, Hunterville, Wanganui, the Kapiti Coast and Hawkes Bay. There were a total of two hundred and eighty four runs held over two days on the four courses in fine weather conditions and with sheep behaving reasonably well.

There were strong results for some of our local club members with Stuart Ross winning the Short Head and Yard. Stuart Henson won the Zig Zag Hunt and was also second in the Short Head and yard. John Bartlett from Tinui won the Straight Hunt with his young Huntaway ‘Spoilt’ and was second in the Long Head. This was won by Dave Wallace from Tutira with his dog ‘Toi’.

John Bartlett is not strictly local but is a very valuable member of our Club . He worked tirelessly for four days helping with our trials and is a wonderful ambassador for the sport.

Another local who did well was Mike Firth from Tora with ‘Grace’ who won both Maiden Huntaway events and was second in the Straight Hunt.

Overall it was a great year for our local dogs with eight dogs qualifying for the North Island Championships. Qualifiers were John Harvey , John Linton, Stuart Ross, and Stuart Henson each with two dogs. Good Luck boys, make the most of it and ‘bring home the bacon’.

The Bill Forsyth Memorial Trophy, an interclub trophy played between the Masterton and Martinborough Clubs, was won by Martinborough. The club’s season then ended with a hiss and a roar at Masterton with Stuart Ross winning both Heading Events with his dog ‘Badger’. Well done Stuart.