Sibling rivalry at charity dog trials

It’s been a special J and T Hickey charity dog trial for the Mead brothers (from left) Rod, John and Gary. For the first time they have been able to compete in the event together. The final run-off started at 9am this morning. Picture by Paul Rickard

The top 12 dogs and their handlers in the annual J and T Hickey charity sheep dog trial took part in the final run-off in the arena at the Riding Club for the Disabled this morning.

Thursday’s 60 qualifying runs on day one produced six combinations for the final.

They were Hawke’s Bay’s Bernard Arends and Burch with a top score of 97 points; Merv Utting from Waimata and Guy, 95.5; Rod Mead and Flame from Te Karaka, 95; Merv Utting with Steel 94;  Samanatha Shaw from Matawai with Zoe, 93.75; and John Foss from Wairoa and Bindi, 93.5.

The other six finalists were found yesterday from the remaining 60 runs.

The results from day two were not available when the Herald went to print last night.

“The sheep from Papatu Station at Manutuke were workable but they could be tricky,’ said trials commentator Ross Buscke.

“On the first day the top triallists did a great job with them.”

It has been a special charity trial for the Mead brothers, Rod, John and Gary.

It’s the first time all three have been able to compete together in the event.

John has come from the Waikato and is competing with his dog Ash, and Gary has come up from Hawke’s Bay with Lee. Rod is competing with Flame.  “It’s great to have us all here,” he said.

“We’ve competed against each other at the Poverty Bay A&P Show, but not the charity, until now.”

The final run-off began at 9am this morning.