Raising the bar behind the scenes of dog trial champs

Bar manager Johnny Bennett at the South Island sheep dog trial championships. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery.

Johnny Bennett is probably one of the most important people at the South Island sheep dog trial championships.

The hard-case Te Houka sheep farmer has the role of bar manager for the week, a position that involved long hours - but he reckoned he was up for the task.

He was usually bar manager for his local Warepa club trials so had been "upgraded" for the championships, he said.

Mr Bennett had taken part in some club training days but, when it came to his own five-strong team of dogs, they were all very much learners.

"It takes a lot of effort to get to this level. We're not at this quality yet," he said.

However, he had already learned a fair bit from his position behind the bar, listening to the yarns being spun among some of the country's top triallists.

Mr Bennett enjoyed the camaraderie of the Warepa club, including the social aspect. There had been a lot of effort put in by many people over the previous months preparing for the championships. It was "huge" for the district to host the event.

There were some helpers behind the bar, including volunteers from Shand Thomson, and local rugby and services clubs.

Mr Bennett was receiving some ribbing due to his recent exploits with a drone. He had become somewhat of a drone enthusiast, using it to check sheep and for other farm-related chores.

But things turned to custard when he took one of his drones along to the dog trial grounds to get some footage of the set-up for the club.

Asked whether he had better control over the drone than the dog, he said it was "all a work in progress".

Unfortunately, it was windy and the drone blew away and he has not yet found it. If it had been a dog he had lost, then usually it would return home - or the neighbour would find and return it.

"Like everything in life, it [the drone] has its limitations," he said.

Down the other end of the bar, Tania McKenzie and Linda Wallace  have been overseeing the catering side of the championships. Various local groups have been involved with catering as a fundraiser.

With a 4.30am start on the first day, it was going to be a big week, Mrs McKenzie said. Hawke's Bay farmer Stuart McNeill and Ranger won the zig zag huntaway title yesterday, with Allen Irwin and Buster, of Whatatutu, second.

Those positions were reversed in the straight hunt final, albeit with different dogs. Mr Irwin and Chase won and Mr McNeill and Stock were second.

John Caley and Mate, of East Otago, were sixth in the zig zag hunt and Jock Meehan and Ben, of Wanaka, were third in the straight hunt.
 
Leaderboard - day 4

Long head (first round): Howard Ingles and Lou (Papakura) 98 1, Eion Herbert and Storm (Tapawera) 97.5 2, John Bartlett and Honk (Tinui) 97.25 3, Merv Utting and Fern (Poverty Bay) 97 4, Rick Aubrey and Toby (Omarama) 96.75 5, Merv Utting and Prince 96 6, David Shield and Clyde (Dannevirke) 95.5 7.

Short head and yard (first round): Merv Utting and Fern 98 1, Steph Tweed and Flirt (Whanganui) 97.25 2, Neville Hore and Spec (Tokarahi) 97 3, Eric Stringer and Grace (Kyeburn) 96.75 4, Neil Evans and Tess (Omihi) 96.5 5, Eion Herbert and Ben 96.25 6, Graeme Dickie and Bess (Tuapeka West) 96 7.

Zigzag hunt (completed): Stuart McNeill and Ranger (Te Pohue) 193.2 1, Allen Irwin and Buster (Whatatutu) 192.1 2, Murray Child and Frank (Maungakaramea) 191.2 3, Clark Chrystal and Trix (Waikoau) 190.8 4, Paul Collins and Butch (Waimate) 189.5 5, John Caley and Mate (Waihemo) 183 6, Clark Chrystal and Flynn 174.9 7.

Straight hunt (completed): Allen Irwin and Chase 194 1, Stuart McNeill and Stock 193.25 2, Jock Meehan and Ben (Wanaka) 192.5 3, Paul Collins and Butch 190.75 4, Chris Baker and Storm (Piopio) 189.5 5, Leighton Bellringer and Boogie (Stratford) 189 6, Graeme Dickson and Bo (Egmont) 185.25 7.