Dog-trial season busy for couple

Ask dog-trialling enthusiast Ann Salkeld if there is any rivalry with her partner and fellow triallist Ray Jury and the answer is quick: "It's competitive, my oath."

But the rivalry was good-natured - "It's got to be. I have to live with him," she quipped - and the couple helped each other.

"I'll come back and he'll say, 'Why didn't you do this?' or 'Why did you do that?' I do the same back. I give it all back, of course," Mrs Salkeld laughed.

The couple, who live near Rangiora, made the journey south to compete at the Tokarahi Collie Club's trials, which were held at Ben Ledi Station and neighbouring Mt Alexander in Danseys Pass.

Mrs Salkeld grew up on a farm in the Lees Valley in North Canterbury and, from a young age, always wanted to be around dogs and horses.

Once she became a mother, horses were not such an easy option and she was given a heading pup with which she could "play around" at home and which got her keen on trialling.

She particularly enjoyed bringing a young dog to the trials.

"It's going to treat a course differently to the ones you've had before. I love seeing how they are going to handle it," she said.

The dog-trialling season is always a busy time for the couple who compete at most of the trials in Canterbury as well as heading into Marlborough.

"The rubber doesn't have much of a chance to cool down." It was the first time Mrs Salkeld had been to the Tokarahi trials and she loved the remote location. It's just another world in here, isn't it?"

She concentrated on heading dogs as she felt she did not have enough work for a huntaway.

Plus, she always managed to have a heading dog that would bark at heel.

A successful trial dog needed to be biddable and not too strong-minded "although if they are strong minded they've got a bit of grit probably to handle tough situations".

They also needed to be able to read sheep.

Mrs Salkeld enjoyed meeting like-minded people and dog trialists were "good old down-to-earth" people.

Her greatest trialling thrill was winning the long pull with Brie at Wanaka one year.

Mrs Salkeld and Mr Jury are trying to qualify for the New Zealand sheep dog trial championships which will be held at Wanaka in May.

"A New Zealand title would be the icing on the cake . . I don't know if I've got that kind of skill," she said.

She is delighted to see more female trialists in the sport.

"We need reinforcements."

Mrs Salkeld and Star were placed fourth in the short head and yard at Tokarahi, while Mr Jury and Ted were third in the long head.