It's Dog Trial Time in the Valley

The combined skill of man and dog is an important factor in the life of a country so rich in sheep as the East Coast of the North Island. Many a hillman values his dog at more than 50 notes, and competition grows keen as friendly rivals extol the virtues of this or that animal.

This competition finds a natural outlet in the dog trial, where sheepmen gather about this time of the year to put their dogs to the test in a series of events which, to the city visitor, are a marvellous demonstration of what man and his best friend can do together.

Last month "Photo News" went 20 miles up the Te Arai River to the Waingake Dog Trial Club's annual meeting and took the photographs which appear on this and the next four pages.

Bill Teutenberg's "Jock"

In the short head and yard event: Arthur Kent (Wairoa) in a good position to yard
Photo: Trevor White

It was one of those sparkling autumn mornings and the valley was a very beautiful place. A quarter of a mile short of Waingake school, a line of cars and trucks on the road marked the site of the trials. Small clusters of sheepmen stood here and there, talking, or looking uphill to the courses, one on each side of the valley. In an iron shed nearby the women were preparing lunch. Above them, competitors were enjoying a glass of beer at a temporary bar. And everywhere, tethered to car wheels, to stakes, and to trees, were the real stars of the show, the dogs, intelligent and alert, waiting their turn at the course.

The scene of the trials on the Waingake Road

Outside a tent on a nearby hill, one of the judges, Brian Smith, Waimata, was kept so busy he had to take his dinner on the run (above left with Norman Shanks, Thomas Jex-Blake, Darkie Houkamau and John Tombleson.)

Liberating a sheep at huntaway course. Left to right. Jack Miller, Carl Abrahams (a visitor from South Africa), Dudley Greaves, Athol Allan.

One of the youngest judges in the country, Barry Clayton-Greene, from Ruakituri, here watches huntaway event. His timekeeper is Bill Waugh, a foundation member of the Waingake Dog Trial Club.

"Toot" Lincoln sets his dog after the sheep at foot of huntaway course as signal is given to start.

Neville Miller (Tolaga Bay) gives his dog directions. He must take sheep up straight line of pegs leading to hilltop. Other events on this course require sheep to be herded through sets of pegs at various stages on trip up hill.

Brian Smith, heading judge, and his timekeeper, Norman Shanks

Dog trial time in the valley also has its social side. Farmers from many parts of the country gather to swap hill lore. And the women seem to get fun as well as work out of their side of the job

Trevor Horton almost convincing Dudley Sherriff and Eric Baty with one of his shaggy dog yarns

Len Shanks (asst. secretary), Trevor White (secretary) & Ben Shanks (chairman).

Mrs Eric Baty and Mrs Dudley Greaves on the job in the kitchen

Bert Pyke arrives with his dog Glen. Bert is a life member of the club, the jeep almost.

They attend to the inner needs. Front row, Mesdames J. Wykes, M. Fitzgerald, R. B. Shanks, D. Greaves. Back row: Mesdames E. Baty, T. S. White, L. R. Shanks, S. K. White and P. Graham.

Half way up hill, Bert stops for refreshments, sets up a smoke screen as he talks with George Sykes and Ted Broadhurst.

Dog trials such as this one at Waingake, and others held at Muriwai, Ngatapa, Waimata Valley and other places in the district, usually last for three days. They are often dominated by a few top competitors. A good man with good dogs who has time to do the rounds of North Island dog trials can almost make a living from the game.

"Toot" Lincoln judging a pup class

Some of the prizewinners in the pup classes

There's fun and interest for the kiddies, too, as they parade their entries in the pup classes, while the valley's adults make up a sympathetic audience.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 34 : May 2, 1957

It's Dog Trial Time in the Valley