Yarding, handy dog finals closely contested

Steady nerves gave veteran sheepdog triallists the upper hand during a hot three days in the Tux New Zealand yarding and handy dog challenges at South Canterbury’s Springbank farm.

Central Hawke’s Bay sheepdog triallist Bob Bruce was in vintage form with Ruby to win the national open yarding title, ahead of New Zealand team member Brian Dickison with Cole.

Judged by Steve Bellew, the event came down to the wire, with Mr Bruce on 98.5 points edging out Southland’s Mr Dickison on 96.5 points.

Third was fellow national representative Leo Jecentho, of Waikato, finishing with Zap on 96 points.

Mr Dickison’s son Tom, with Husky, won the national maiden yarding title, ahead of the North Island’s Heather McGrannachan and Radar.

Springbank Farm’s Chris Calder and Ali Barrett hosted the local heat, South Island finals and New Zealand finals of the Tux yarding and handy dog challenge series at Levels Valley.

The challenge varies from other competitions with only two events held — the yarding for heading dogs, and the handy dog event for huntaways.

Winning qualifiers from the local heat earned a spot in the South Island final and, in turn, South Island qualifiers competed in the national run-off in both the yarding and handy dog events.

In the South Island yarding final Brian Dickison was first on 98 points, followed by Clinton’s Robin McKenzie with Ken on 97.5 points and Northland’s Scott McRae with George on 96 points. The junior Dickison was again the maiden winner.

Seasoned Otago campaigner Lloyd Smith, with Jackson, had a controlled round to take the New Zealand Tux Open handy dog title, ahead of Gore’s Brendon Stewart with Dusty.

The Palmerston triallist manoeuvered his sheep past the final obstacle to collect 98 points in a close-run final with Mr Stewart (97), while King Country’s Rod Walker with Bounce was third on 93 points.

Anna Stewart with Sky claimed the national maiden title in the event, with 93 points.

The Stewarts are a husband-and-wife team, with a further close connection — his dog Dusty is the mother of her dog Sky.

In a tight finish in the South Island open final of the handy dog challenge, the roles were reversed, with Mr Stewart emerging first on 97 points, ahead of Mr Smith on 96. Mr McKenzie with Buster was third on 95.5 points.

The maiden South Island handy dog winner was again Mrs Stewart with Sky on 93 points. It was believed to be the first all-woman South Island maiden final, with the Banks Peninsula whistlers of Sarah Pearce runner up and Shannon Bennett third.

Merino cross lambs provided by Kevin and Sharyn Ashworth were good to work with, but completely unforgiving of any incorrect move.

This year’s chosen charity, after expenses are met, is South Canterbury Hospice.