Not only did Neill Manson (70) qualify to compete at the South Island and New Zealand sheep dog trial championships this week, but so did his three sons - Sam (42), Ben (40) and Tom (38).
The quartet, between them, are running nine dogs at the event at Alpha Burn Station, near Wanaka. It is only the second time they have all been together at a championship event.
Neill, from Little River on Banks Peninsula, has been trialling for more than 50 years, and his wife, Trish, is also heavily involved with the sport, serving as secretary of the Banks Peninsula Collie Club.
So it was no surprise that their three sons continued the interest.
"We grew up with it probably without realising ... just watching and taking it in," Tom said.
Tom was only 8 or 9 when he first ran a dog at the local trials.
He remembered getting third in the district maiden with Sue, scoring 36 points out of 100, and he got a pie and a can of Coke.
Now farming at Wairoa, he said he enjoyed coming south and meeting up with his brothers, who also farm at Little River, and his father.
"The old man misbehaves a bit. We try and keep an eye on him," he laughed.
Tom, who won a North Island title with Taz in the zig-zag hunt in Gisborne in 2001, qualified with four dogs for the New Zealand championships this year. Among them was Hank, a 3-year-old huntaway whom he had had for only six or seven weeks.
Neill Manson did not have enough work from him and he was getting away from him a bit, so he sent him north. Tom took him to one trial and qualified for the championships.
Tom did not have a preference for heading dogs or huntaways, saying he just enjoyed a good dog.
The Manson quartet have all been in both Island and New Zealand championships and they once all judged at the Mohaka dog trials.
During a discussion that his sons' names were all short, like those of dogs, Neill laughed that there once was a very good dog around called Claude. "I was going to call one of the boys Claude and I wasn't allowed to."
Neill has always been interested in dogs and he started trialling in 1960. Originally a dairy farmer, with a town supply farm, he is now a semi-retired sheep and beef farmer.
No longer working full-time, he said dogs were "great to get you up in the morning. It's great motivation ... it gets you up and away."
He enjoyed the camaraderie at the dog trials - "it's a great sport, you mix with all ages" - and catching up with old friends.
He did admit to having a fairly large night one night this week.
"I probably played up a bit much."
Asked what time he finally got to bed, he said he was "way past looking at watches".
South Island championships results
Straight hunt. - Roger Tweed (Gemma), Waitahuna, 98.5, 1; David Stuart (Gus), Waipaoa, 98.3, 2; Tim Hunter (Angel), Pahiatua Makuri, 98.2, 3; Dan Murphy (Quest), Whangamomona, 97.8, 4; Steve Kerr (Bully), Mackenzie, 97.7, 5; Aaron Bell (Molly), Waitaki, 97.6, 6; Dave Vaughan (Earl), Taieri, 97.5, 7.
Zigzag hunt. - Kerry Kilmister (Pulse), Tinui, 98.75, 1; Steve Kerr (Bully), Mackenzie, 98, 2; Mark Loye (Troupe), Okawa, 97.75, 3; Robbie Calder (Hood), St Bathans, 97.5, 4; Lindsay Wink (Thump), Waiau, 97.25, 5; Sam Duncan (Belle), Hunterville, 97, 6; Peter Kidd (Kale), Tai Tapu, 96.5, 7.
Leaderboard (note: not in order, competition continuing).-
Long head
Graham Wellington (Banjo), Aria.
Rob Mather (McQueen), Mangamahu.
Neil Evans (Rose), Omihi.
Eric Stringer (Matt), Kyeburn.
Graham Wellington (Teak), Aria.
Neil Evans (Gem), Omihi.
Scott McRae (Elle), Molesworth.
Short head and yard.-
Boyd Tisdall (Jackie), Strath Taieri.
Roger Tweed (Tom), Waitahuna.
Bruce Parkinson (Brook), Raetihi.
Lloyd Smith (Risque), Waihemo.
Neville Hore (Jake), Tokarahi.
Roger Tweed (Vic II), Waitahuna.
Jim Burrows (Pal), Waikari.
