TARANAKI TO HOST NORTH ISLAND AND NEW ZEALAND SHEEP DOG CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hundreds of sheepdogs and their handlers will descend on Taranaki for a national event.

The Taranaki Sheep Dog Centre is set to host the prestigious North Island and New Zealand Sheep Dog Trail Championships starting from May 27th at Mangamingi.

This eagerly anticipated event will see hundreds of talented dogs and their skilled handlers from 128 sheepdog trial clubs across the country vying for top honors.

With a staggering total of 1002 runs scheduled across four championship categories, the competition promises to be intense and exhilarating.

Following the North Island championships, the top seven dogs from each event will advance to compete in the highly coveted New Zealand championships. These elite competitors will showcase their prowess in the second run held towards the end of the week.

The championship courses, which endured significant storm damage in December 2022, have been meticulously rebuilt over the past year, thanks to funding from the Rural Support Trust.

Spanning the picturesque Bielski and Menzie farms, the courses will challenge both canine and handler with their intricate layouts. A total of 4000 sheep, generously supplied by the Menzie, Bielski, and Duffy farms, will be utilized throughout the competition, ensuring a true test of skill and agility for all participants.

Each event will have a different judge, with Scott Hunter from North Otago judging the long head category, Northland’s Mike Moody judging the short head and yards category, Rick Orr from Canterbury judging the zig-zag huntaway category and Hawke’s Bay’s Clark Chrystal judging the straight huntaway cateogry.

Of the hundreds of competitors, 20 of them are from Taranaki. There are 34 Taranaki dogs that have qualified for the championship. The Taranaki trialists include Joe Smith, 13, with his dog Gem, and Gus Waite, 18, with Buzz.

Brothers Dan and Steve Murphy from the Whangamomona Club were also selected. Current longest-serving dog trialist Bernie Gower and patron Lloyd Duffy will also compete.

Taranaki handlers and their dogs: Mark Duffy, Tomb; Phoebe Smailes, Buttercup; Jonathon Smailes, Havoc and Teito; Brad Bielski, Joop; Lloyd Bishop, Cobba, Ridge and Tia; Paul Martin, Clout and Tough; Tony Price, Awa; Aren Roche, Nelly, Doug and Elsa; Rachel Law, Boy, Miss and Shrimp; Ken Lobb, Lizzy and Pearl; James McFarlane, Pearl and Wock; Lloyd Duffy, Nev, Fly and Rogue; Tony Pilcher, Sika; Joe Smith, Gem; Gus Waite, Buzz; Bernie Gower, Phillip and Jack; Bryce Jensen, Cub; Dan Murphy, Nippy; Steve Murphy, Edge.