Rain, a dog run by Stuart Millar, of Rakaia Gorge, was in fine form and claimed second places in two events at the Mayfield Collie Club’s dog trials centennial event at Hakatere Station in the Ashburton Gorge last month. They were the long head (96 points) and short head and yard (93.5pts).
Club president Ryan Hussey was happy with the number of people who turned out and more than 375 runs were made in the four events of long head, short head and yard, zig-zag hunt and straight hunt.
While an impressive number of competitors were from Mid Canterbury, many others were from Central Otago, Mackenzie Country, North Canterbury and Banks Peninsula.
First places went to Mr Millar with Laddie, Mark Copland (short head and yard), of Dromore, with Don, Ben Butterick (zig-zag hunt), of Banks Peninsula, with Buck, and Mark Mallinson (straight hunt), of Geraldine, with Loyal.
Numbers were well up on the 70 or so which usually ran in each classes, Mr Hussey said.
The centennial trial, run over two days, was a chance for members past and present to have a catch-up and an increased prize pool was available.
Mr Hussey, manager at Hakatere Station, said the first trial was held on Surrey Hills Station in 1920.
The club remained at the site until 1995 when it moved to Hakatere Station.
The club has a large number of young up-and-coming members who were working with more experienced members to cultivate their interest and competitiveness, Mr Hussey said.
