The club’s annual dog trials ran smoothly despite cold and wet weather across the two days ending last week.
More than 120 triallists from throughout Otago, Southland and Canterbury entered the two heading events, and about 100 entered the two hunt events.
Facility improvements were under way, and hosting the Otago Centre championships were a good trial run for the South Island event, Mr Walker said.
The facelift includes four new judges boxes being installed.
A digger had been used for earthworks to change courses and build tracks.
"We have a fair bit to go but we’ve certainly made a good start at it," Mr Walker said.
"They have turned their farm upside down to accommodate the club," he said.
For the South Island championships, about half the sheep would be provided by the Roulstons and the rest by Wilden Station in Moa Flat.
The club was in good health; membership had increased in the past five years and up to 40 members attend working bees.
"In terms of numbers, we are one of the stronger clubs in Otago and Southland. We have heaps of young guys who are real keen and some experienced older guys, who have been here for years and years — we are really lucky," Mr Walker said.
He had worked with sheep dogs for the past 15 years and started competing in trials about three years ago.
The delay was getting his dogs good enough to win an event.
"I didn’t have the dogs to do it until about three years ago," he said.
The Southland Sheep Dog Trial Association hosts the South Island championships in Mararoa in May this year, and his goal was to compete at that event.
Otago Centre president Cam Bain, of West Otago, said the club had shown how good it would be at hosting the championships.
"As far as the centre is concerned, it has been a bloody good trial."
RESULTS
Heriot Collie Club on March 1 and 2.
Short head and yard: Competitor Logan Bain and dog Stan (93 points) 1; Michael Lucas and Dixon (93.25) 2; Roger Sellars and Patch (93.50) 3; Alan Stewart and Beth (95) 4; Roger Tweed and Kane (96) 5.
Zig zag hunt: Competitor Henry Smith and dog Trix (96.5 points) 1; Mckenzie Smith and Pound (95.5) 2; Mckenzie Smith and Chub (94.5) 3; Jack Brennan and Fist (95) 4; Michael Benton and Ernie (94) 5.
Straight hunt: Competitor Anna Stewart and dog Sky (98) 1; Michael Benton and Maia (96.5) 2; Brian Sparrow and Jerry (95.5) 3; David Parker and Tom (95) 4; Graham Dickie and Treble (96) 5.
Otago Centre Championships held at Heriot Collie Club on March 1 and 2:
Short head and yard: Competitor Logan Bain and dog Stan (188.50 points) 1; Michael Lucas and Dixon (186.25) 2; Roger Sellars and Patch (180) 3; Alan Stewart and Beth (174) 4; Roger Tweed and Kane (117) 5.
Zig zag hunt: Competitor Henry Smith and dog Trix (194.5 points) 1; Mckenzie Smith and Pound (190.5) 2; Mckenzie Smith and Chub (181.5) 3; Jack Brennan and Fist (179) 4; Michael Benton and Ernie (177) 5.
Straight hunt: Competitor Anna Stewart and dog Sky (194) 1; Michael Benton and Maia (192) 2; David Parker and Tom (189.5) 3; Brian Sparrow and Jerry (188.5) 4; Graham Dickie and Treble (176) 5.
