Entrants flock to sheep-dog trials

UP FOR IT: Bruce Parkinson and Brook, from Raetihi, winners of the shorthead last weekend. DSCF5072

The Wanganui Centre Championships took place at the Mangamahu sheep-dog trials on Les Kellick's property just south of Mangamahu.

The weather was extremely warm for the event last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, especially on the first day when the heading courses got off to a slow start because of fog.

Entries were impressive, with 414 runs during the qualifying rounds.

Wayne Falkner's lambs on the heads were a credit to him, working consistently over the three days, as did Mt View Station's ewes on the hunts.

Wanganui centre competitors dominated all events and it was great to see so many young fellows in both hunt run-offs. The depth of talent coming through is encouraging.

Three outside dogs featured, with Owhango's Paul McGlade and Mike second in the longhead, David Shield and Rip, from Dannevirke, third in the zig-zag and Peter Walter from Otorohanga third in the straight hunt with Izzy.

Peter Green and Di led the heading challenge with 27 points, while Bruce Parkinson and Fake led the huntaways on 14 points.

The next event is on April 9-10 at Moawhango, a curtain-raiser for the North Island and New Zealand championships there on May 25.

-Results

Class 1: 1, D White & Jazz 96; 2, P McGlade & Mike 95; 3, G Wellington & Murphy 94.5; 4, P Evans & Dee 94.25; 5, W Falkner & Midge 94.

Intermediate: P McGlade & Josh 93.25. Maiden: G White & Josie 81.

Class 2: B Parkinson & Brook 95; 2, P Evans & Bryte 94; 3, G Wellington & Murphy 93; 4, C Johns & Ash 92.5; 5, K Oliver & Kim 92.25.

Intermediate: S Whiteman & Parker 91.5. Maiden: M Henderson & Nui 83.5.

Class 3: 1, J Smailes & Stella 96.5; 2, J Gillespie & Sledge 96; 3, D Shield & Rip 95.25; 4, T Hopkins & Harry 95; 5, S Phelps & Jade 94.5.

Intermediate: T Hopkins & Harry 95. Maiden: T Hopkins & Harry 95.

Class 4: 1, R Barton & Gus 97.75; 2, B Parkinson & Fake 97.6; 3, P Walter & Izzy 97.5; 4, T Ashworth & Flo 97.2; 5, J Smailes & Stella 97.

Intermediate: R Barton & Gus 97.75. Maiden: T Ashworth & Flo 97.2.

Centre aggregates

Class 1: 1, D White & Jazz 190; 2, P Evans & Dee 189.25; 3, G Wellington & Murphy 180.5; 4, C Johns & Ash 173; 5, W Falkner & Midge 163.

Class 2: G Wellington & Murphy 185; 2, B Parkinson & Brook 184; 3, C Johns & Ash 179.5; 4, K Oliver & Kim 177; 5, P Evans & Bryte 118.

Class 3: 1, J Smailes & Stella 192; 2, J Gillespie & Sledge 189.5; 3, S Phelps & Jade 187.5; 4, T Hopkins & Harry 184.5; 5, W Dalziel & Swag 180.6.

Class 4: 1, B Parkinson & Fake 190.6; 2, J Smailes & Stella 190.5; 3, R Barton & Gus 188.77; 4, T Ashworth & Flo 188.7; 5, S Phelps & Fern 185.5.