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The Nelson Photo News

 

30

You'Ve Got To Be Smart To Shift Sheep

The man who coined the term "Man's Best Friend" was probably a sheep farmer. Sheep, as most people know, can be stupid and stubborn. But the competitors in the Nelson-Marl-borough dog trials soon proved they can master most sheep. The event was held on the Wakefield properties of Messrs Johnstone, Blanche and Close, and attracted 165 entries.

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Chasing sheep sure is tiring

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Guess what Bob, Hi and John are looking at? That's right- sheep! And their boss Phil Gibbs, Wakefield, keeps a careful watch on his workers. Hi won the provincial and open championship in class III and the provincial championship in class IV, and Bob won the provincial run off in class I and the open. John was placed in several events

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Don't you guys get out of line. That's what Merv Wadsworth's Boss could be saying to these three sheep

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Jim Alien, Seddon, has the gate open and Sue is trying to convince those sheep they must go into the yard to successfully complete the head, drive and yard trial in time

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The test of co-operation between a farmer and his dog is tough, and the distance the dog moves the sheep, guided by whistles of command, is not small. Behind the farmer (circled) are two gates through which the dog must shift the sheep. They are then taken to the left and yarded. This is only one section of the trials.

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John, owned by Phil Gibbs demonstrates how to move sheep correctly

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Visitors to the trials included Bill Pickering (Grassmere), Don Boyce (Dashwood), Merv Wadsworth (Wairau Valley), Alan North (Pelorus) and Jim Allen (Seddon)

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One of the judges was Harvey Herbert (Pongaroa) and with him is his mate Mac

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Let me at 'em boss. All set to go is Rogue, but Fred Henricksen of Pongaroa has not given the word

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Casting a critical eye are Bill Gibbs (Wairau Valley), Bob Herbert (Tapawera) and Leo Hodgkinson (Tadmor)

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Also competing was the secretary of the Waimea Sheep Dog Trial Club, host to the championships, Guy Evans and his dogs Toss and Lady. Pam and Brian went along to see how Dad fared