STEPHEN Winiata-Dunster and Bo achieved first place maiden at Taringamotu over the weekend. PHOTO SUPPLIED
THE King Country Charity Dog Trials drew a large field of more than 200 contestants to Taringamotu Otamakahi Trust Farm, Taumarunui, at the weekend. Utes carrying dog boxes lined the parking areas at the entrance to the large Taringamotu property, with scores of huntaways and heading dogs primed up to perform at their best for the judges. As well as sending on the top performers to compete at national level, the event raised money for the Westpac Air Ambulance and other charities. The rain held off for most of the day, as contestants drove in from across much of the North Island. King Country trialists were to the fore when final points were tallied. In the Yarding Challenge, Stuart Child, of Te Anga, with dog ‘Brodie’, was second top qualifier on day one with 97.5 points. Stuart was second in the final with 96.5 points. Robyn Stephens, Te Kūiti, with ‘Rod’, was a top qualifier day three 98 points, and placed 10th in the final with 94 points. Ed Morrow, Te Kūiti, with Max, was placed second in the maiden final, with 94.5 points. Jackson Morris, Te Kūiti, with dog ‘G’, was fourth in the maiden final with 91.5 points. In the Handy Dog event Rod Walker, Taumarunui, with ‘Shade’, was placed second with 94 points. Dawn Jones, Awakino, with ‘Paul’, was placed third with 93 points Graeme Brier, Piopio, with ‘Cole’, was sixth with 91 points. John Petersen, Taumarunui, with ‘Church’, was seventh with 90.5 points. Stephen Winiata-Dunster, with ‘Bo’, was first place maiden, with 91.5 points. Robyn Stephens said the event had a great team of workers under the guidance and leadership of new Charity Trial president Chris Baker, which made for a very smooth-running dog trial, while Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy did a great job with the catering. “Two notable achievements were that of a Northlander Colin Jay from Kaeo with ‘Flick’, who attained a remarkable score of 99.5 in the preliminary round and first place in the Yarding Challenge final 97 points,” Robyn said. “Meanwhile, young shepherd Taylor Trott, from Whanganui, cleaned up her more experienced opposition in the final of the Handy Dog event scoring 98 points with ‘Tina’. Taylor was top maiden in the same event last year when she was working at Oliver’s farm in the North King Country.”
