Dogs have their day in Ward

CHERIE HOWIE

Teamwork: The key to success in sheep dog trialling is teamwork between the dogs and owner, according to Tony Shadbolt, who is looking forward to taking part in a demonstration of the sport at the Flaxbourne Show on Sunday

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Sheep dog trialling hasn't been seen at the Flaxbourne Show for at least five years, but will return when a demonstration takes place on Sunday. Tony Shadbolt, one of those behind the move, talks about why the sport should make a permanent return and why he could never work in town.

Deep in the hills behind Kekerengu and under the watch of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku, shepherd Tony Shadbolt works his dogs across the vast Bluff Station.

From dawn till dusk the Ward-raised shepherd and his eight dogs face the elements as they manage 3000 merino ewes, 1500 perendale ewes, 2800 wethers and 1300 breeding cows on the 13,865-hectare station.

Tony and his best mates also spend several days at a time away from the home he shares with his partner, staying in worker housing on the station.

But he's happy to do so.

He could never work in town and has been happily heading for the hills all his working life, working at two other back country stations before arriving at Bluff Station two years ago.

"I love it ... the open spaces and fresh air. You don't ever get sick of the scenery. It's a beautiful life.

"Yeah, it's good all right."

Tony can't bring the beauty of the station to town, but a few of his four-legged colleagues are headed to the big smoke – relatively that is – of Ward on Sunday.

The dogs, and Tony, are set to show off their skills at a sheep dog trial demonstration at the Flaxbourne A&P Show.

It will be the first time trialling has taken place at the show for at least five years, he says.

"We've had it there in the past and it was a big crowd-pleaser. It really drew people there, especially the townies. It's a good day out for the family."

Official dog trial competition has moved south to Kaikoura and while he has nothing against the town, competition needs to return to Ward.

"Nothing against Kaikoura, but we need it back at our show. Hopefully, we have a reasonable sort of turnout with the dog show. The community's behind it I think."

Tony is particularly pleased with the number of "young fellas" entering who had not competed before.

"That's what we're trying to do, get a lot of people involved. It's good for the old and the young."

So, what advice did the decade-long competitor have for the newbies ?

Teamwork.

Good results come when the dogs and their owners work together, he says.

As for the final outcome, Tony is hoping for a top finish on Sunday.

While he holds a clutch of second and third finishes, the shepherd is yet to record his first win.

He could be in for some stiff competition though, with fellow Bluff Station staff also heading to the demonstration.

"That's good though. That's the best thing about having it at the [Flaxbourne] show ... we're all trying to outdo each other."

- The Marlborough Express

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