McQueen takes starring role at sheepdog trials | Rural

Rob Mather made it two in a row when he won the shorthead and yard at the Omatane-Kawhatau sheep-dog trials with McQueen.

Last week at the Feilding trials he scored 98, at Kawhatau 99, although some said it could have been 100.

McQueen is by Ginger Anderson's Pop out of Kevin O Connor's Jed.

The high points vindicated the change from ewes to lambs on the heading courses. A greater percentage of competitors penned their sheep. Although the ewe lambs on the longhead were easier to work, the long grass and thick rushes on the bottom half of the run-out and on each side of the pull line handicapped the dogs, as is borne out by the points; the fifth dog scored only 90. The ewes on the hunt courses worked well.

Frank, the NZ zigzag hunt champion, went one better than last week, winning the straight hunt for Guy Peacock, while his younger dog, Ritch, was third. Frank has rushed to the lead of the top dog contest with nine points. At the Feilding trials the week before, lambs were used for the huntaway events and they worked well. At Kawhatau it was ewes, and the only dog to be placed at both venues was Peacock's Frank.

The experience of Roy Pullen's older dog, Turk, who put up a careful run on the zigzag course, took the honours. Hamish Parkinson's Grid was second.

Geoff White was more than happy when Creed, the 8-year-old dog he brought off Aaron Ryan, came in third in the zigzag event.

Bruce Parkinson's Bruce won a hunt at Omakere on Friday but had to be content with fourth at Kawhatau.

The Feilding trial attracted 429 runs but at Kawhatau the total was 32. The shortfall was on the heading course, particularly the longhead. The change to lambs should make the trial more popular.

Brent Mathews' Zac is one point behind Mather's McQueen in the heading top dog contest after his win at Feilding and a second at Kawhatau.

Results: Longhead: G Peacock, Falcon, 96, 1; K Oliver, Paddy, 95, 2; S Cuttance, Mahi, 91, 3; B Parkinson, Brook, 90.5, 4; A Roe, Reg, 90, 5. Intermediate: G Peacock, Falcon. Maiden, S Cuttance, Mahi. Shorthead and yard: R Mather, McQueen, 99, 1; B Mathews, Zac, 98, 2; P Boyce, May, 95.5, 3; D White, Cash, 93, 4; B Passmore, Fly, 92, 5. Intermediate: P Boyce, May. Maiden: H Worsfold, Eve, 87. Zigzag hunt: R Pullen, Turk, 98, 1; H Parkinson, Grid, 97.5, 2; G White, Creed, 97, 3; A Coleman, Hog, 96.5, 4; M Totman, Kay, 96, 5. Intermediate: H Parkinson, Grid. Maiden: G Clifton, Tom, 93.5. Straight hunt: G Peacock, Frank, 97.5, 1; D Lowe, Bess, 97, 2; G Peacock, Ritch, 96.8, 3; B Parkinson, Bear, 96.7, 4; B Mathews, Braid, 96.5,5. Intermediate: D Lowe, Bess. Maiden; S Ponsonby, Paddy, 94.6.

Feilding results. Longhead: B Mathews, Zac, 98.7, 1; G Wellington, Teak, 98.5, 2; B Arends, Bud, 98.2, 3; P Boyce, Guide, 97.7, 4; A Coleman, Brew, 97.5, 5. Intermediate: A Coleman, Brew. Maiden; G Wellington, Murphy, 92. Shorthead and yard: R Mather McQueen, 98, 1; D Wickham, Tom, 97.5, 2; D Davey, Ace, 97.2, 3; D White, Cash, 95.5, 4; B Parkinson, Brook, 95, 5. Intermediate: R Mather, McQueen. Maiden: R Mather, Sheen, 91.5. Zigzag hunt: S Duncan, Belle, 99, 1; K Kilmister, pulse, 98.5, 2; T Hunter, Angel, 98, 3; G Peacock, Troy, 97.5, 4; M Haynes, Wag, 97.2, 5. Intermediate & maiden: G Peacock, Troy. Straight hunt: C Johns, Jackie, 98, 1; G Peacock, Frank, 97.7, 2; S Taylor, Tangi, 97.5, 3; C Shaw, Major, 97, 4; S Bradley, Buck, 96.7, 5. Intermediate: S Taylor, Tangi. Maiden: C Shaw, Major.