Gisborne competitors featured high in the results of both the King Country Charity Dog Trial and at the Waimarama-Maraetotara Sheep Dog Trials in Hawkes Bay.

First was the King Country Charity Dog Trial which comprised two events — the Tux Handy Dog Event (for huntaways) and the Tux Yarding Challenge (for heading dogs). Both events were qualifying opportunities for their respective national semi-finals. 

Gisborne’s Andrew Hansen and Meg qualified in the Tux Yarding Challenge with a second place.

In the local Charity Trial, Gisborne shepherd Cody Wickham and Joe won the Maiden event with 94.5 points.

The Tux Yarding Challenge semi- final was won by Gisborne’s Fraser Willson and Clint on 99.5 points, with Merv Utting and Scott second, and Andrew Hansen and Meg fifth.

In the final of the Tux Yarding Challenge Fraser Willson and Clint won with 99.5 points, Merv Utting and Scott coming third with 98.5 points.

At the Hawke’s Bay event, Don Avenell and Jill won the shorthead and yard with 97 points and Roger Strachan won both the intermediate and maiden section of the zig zag hunt with Drum.

Rob Jeffrey and Brin scored one better with 98 in the straight hunt, but was pipped for first place by Mark Loye with Troop on 98.25.

Other Gisborne district competitors to feature were Art Eastham and Mist, third in the long head with 97 points; Roger Strachan and Drum, fourth in the zig-zag hunt with 97 points; and Leo Edginton who was fifth in both the long head and the short head with Thief, on 95.5 and 94.5 points respectively.