Record entries take on Tux challenge

Englishwoman Laura Geering and Prince, currently working in the Waikato, in action in the Tux Yarding Challenge at the Kaitaia A&P Showgroundsthis month.

Organisers of the annual Tux Yarding Challenge at the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds earlier this month described the event as another great success with a record 147 entries well challenged over the two days by Landcorp-supplied sheep.

Local commentator and triallist Merv Cameron noted the sheep proved very consistent throughout after being pre-worked before coming to the trials; this giving all dogs a good chance to show their working ability.

"[This] suited the dogs that were firm but had the ability to move the sheep from a distance. Once in at close quarters, the sheep sucked back onto the dogs and especially at the pen; all had to work positively to complete."

Noting competitors came from as far as Taranaki, Gisborne and most other North Island areas, Merv said organisers were pleased to see many outsiders make the finals on Friday, including top qualifiers Graeme Northcott from Urenui, Rob Hastie of Kaiwaka and Rod Mead from Gisborne respectively.

Although Saturday was quite wet and the visitors were really turning up the heat, the top four spots on the second day were claimed by Northland dogs.

Merv noted Mead, a first timer at the Kaitaia event, had been very impressed with the organisation and facilities and promised to return. Such comments served to show Kaitaia was widely regarded as the best event on the Yarding Challenge series, which he considered was, "Streets ahead of anywhere else."

Merv also noted the behaviour by dogs was testament to the time invested in them by their handlers.

"With this large number of dogs assembled, one could only marvel at the control and temperament of these animals. With what you read in the news these days a leaf could be taken from the book of good dog control: obedient dogs well trained," he said, albeit conceding American pit bull-styled breeds weren't generally used for rounding up sheep.

Acknowledgments were made to all of the many sponsors for supporting the event at the prizegiving.

Thanks also went to all who, despite being wet through, got back outside and pulled the hoardings and courses down and made for an easy packing away.

Results from the Northland leg of the Tux Yarding Challenge and Handy Dog events at the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds on December 9 and 10 were as follows:

Yarding Challenge (judge Pete Campbell): Leo Jecentho and Queen 98.5 points (1st), Murray Child and May 98, Allan Smith and Dot 97.75, Laura Geering and Prince 97.5, Rob Mead and Gem 96.5, Grant Robertson and May 94.5, Graeme Northcott and Dick 94, Lance Philburn and Steele 90, R Mead and Lad 87, Rob Hastie and Dash 78.5, maiden winner: E Archibald and Bobby 86.
Handy Dog (judge Graeme Smith): Craig Pearson and Ben 97 points, M Child and Frank 95, D Gilligan and Dodge 87, N Halley and Jade 83, T Hargreaves and Hail 64, maiden winner: S Munford and Bell.