A and P show draws devoted dog triallist

Barry Hobbs takes a break from judging the dog trials at the North Otago A and P Show. Photo by...
Barry Hobbs takes a break from judging the dog trials at the North Otago A and P Show. Photo by Sally Rae.
When Barry Hobbs was a boy, he rode a pony at the North Otago A and P Show.

Yesterday, Mr Hobbs (62), who was brought up in Oamaru, was back at the show - not on a horse - but judging the dog trials.

A respected and successful dog triallist, Mr Hobbs manages Thornicroft Station, near Lake Mahinerangi, for Landcorp.

He started trialling when he was about 24, encouraged by the late George Thompson and Jim Divers, and described his interest in the sport as an "addiction".

He has judged at New Zealand championships and competed in 21 New Zealand finals - but winning a national title has proved elusive. Winning a New Zealand championship was "very definitely" still an ambition, he said.

Mr Hobbs was having an excellent trialling season, with some good successes. He was fortunate to have several nice young dogs coming on, and a good older one.

To be successful, a triallist had to be dedicated and committed. A top dog had a "tonne of ability" but would let the triallist call the shots, he said.

Mr Hobbs enjoyed judging, saying it was nice to put something back into the sport, and he was grateful for the support of his wife, Pamela, who was a "fabulous" clerk when he was judging.

On a large property like Thornicroft, dogs played an integral part in the running of the station. Although he had three staff, Mr Hobbs said, with a laugh, that he "defended" his share of the stock work.

The show continues today with livestock judging, displays by the Full Throttle FMX motocross team, sheep racing, the Otago Daily Times Charity Challenge, a mower race between Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton and deputy mayor Gary Kircher, and a celebrity dog trial featuring Waitaki community safety co-ordinator Alison Banks. The grand parade will be held at 2.30pm.

 

 

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