Plenty of action to be had at yarding challenge

A total of 140 dogs will be put through their paces over the two days. Photo / File

The high number of entries for the Kaitaia leg of the Tux Yarding Challenge being held today and tomorrow has astounded organisers.

A total of 140 dogs will be put through their paces over the two days, with the top dogs featuring in the finals tomorrow afternoon. The spokesman for the hosting sheepdog trial club, Merv Cameron, said organisers would be extended in getting all the dogs through and the calibre was expected to be higher than usual.

"With only two more legs of the Tux Yarding Challenge to go at Taumaranui and Taupo in January, competitors are coming from far and wide to Kaitaia. Over the years, Kaitaia has put on a good trial and this is the main reason we are now benefiting with these high entries with some from as faraway as Eltham in Taranaki, and Waipawa in Hawke's Bay," he said.

During the days leading up to the event, Mr Cameron was involved in pre-working the sheep from Dennis O'Callaghan's farm in Aurere in order to ensure all the competitors had reasonably consistent sheep to work.

"This is important as there is nothing worse than having travelled hundreds of kilometres only to be given three bolting, flighty sheep to work and find in less than 10 seconds it was all for nothing. Been there done that - it's quite demoralising. People want to get a run for their money."

As a part fundraiser, a quality young heading dog will be auctioned around lunchtime tomorrow shortly after having competed in the main event. Anyone interested needs to be at the grounds before 10am tomorrow to see this dog in action on the Tux course.

The event was expected to start at 7am today and run through to 7pm and start at 6.15am tomorrow to finish late afternoon. Also on the second day's card is the Peria A&P Handy Dog event for huntaways, which will show another aspect of a working dog.

"All dogs in both events, when not competing at trials, do their daily work on farms. In the main, they are the most underrated worker, most underpaid worker a farmer has. They happily work hard in return for their bed and food."

As per tradition, entry is free for spectators and organisers extended an open invitation to the wider public to come and watch with their own dogs too.