Steve Kerr, of Fairlie, and his dog Mac attended the recent 99th Geraldine Collie Club dog trial in the Waihi Gorge. Photo: John Keast
Dogs and their masters put their skills to the test when the Geraldine Collie Dog Club returned to the district.
The dog trial, which took place on March 9 and 10 in Waihi Gorge, attracted good entries on the Friday despite the cold wintry conditions.
However, those conditions gave way to fine weather on Saturday.
Club president Ryan Hussey thanked the many people who helped make the event a success, including the Reid family for use of its facilities and sheep.
Judges and timekeepers also received a special mention, along with the slippers and chefs and everyone between.
Top current header Mark Copland and Zoe collected three points taking their total to 25, followed by Steph Tweed and Flirt with 18 points.
In the huntaways section, Mark Mallinson and Loyal now have 15 points, followed by Wendy Dalziel and Swag with 11 points.
Next on the dog trial agenda is the Canterbury championships, which started yesterday and continues today at the Mt Nessing Collie Club.
Triallists and dogs battle weather
''Did you bring this dirty stuff with you?''
The inquiry was from a sodden dog triallist on the opening morning of the 99th Geraldine Collie Club dog trial on the Reid Family Trust farm in the Waihi Gorge, near Geraldine.
The rain slanted in from the south on March 10, and low fog hampered the start of the long head.
But the rain did not stop the short head and yard event getting under way.
Triallists had 14 minutes in which to bring sheep down and yard them.
It was not easy.
Fairlie triallist Steve Kerr, with dog Mac, said he started well but did not finish well.
The marshall for the class 2 event was Donald Reith.
He, like the competitors, was cloaked in heavy-duty wet-weather gear.
His job, if the sheep weren't yarded, was to get them away.
He brought a quad bike with him to help.
Prize-money ranged from $80 for an open win to $10.
Central Rural Life
TrailLite's Peter Newman worked 25 to 30 hours a week to get the caravan good as new.