Our traditional season opener at Steenbokfontein, Lamberts Bay was moved from December to February due to availability of sheep. Owner Herman van der Merwe, now retired, has hired out most of his land for potato farming, but runs a number of holiday cottages on the premises. Host WA Hugo manages Herman’s flock of Dorper sheep. With the trial being moved to February, which is out of season, the trialists were able to stay on the premises or very close by, which was very convenient.

 

The field for the event was a centre pivot pasture that was lying fallow with a covering of sea sand as what little vegetation there was, had been scorched by the heat and recent dry weather. This made the going tough for sheep and dogs. The flock of Dorper ewes used for the event were in really good condition which just seemed to make them more skittish and all the packets pulled heavily to the side of the exhaust. Getting them flowing proved a challenge, penning was the easier part of the course, but shedding and particularly taking a single was really difficult. If the shed or single weren’t taken right away the ewes become more and more velcro’d together. A number of Top Dogs were timed out on the single.

 

There were however a number of very good runs with WA Hugo and Mac qualifying out of juniors on the first day by winning with a score of 85% or above. Yvan Fourie with his dog Wimpie gained a COM (Certificate of Merit) on the first visit to the post. A COM is awarded to a dog the first time they achieve 70% or more in the junior class and also allows them to enter our national championships. On day 2 Jurie van de Vyver and Skye qualified out of the junior class by winning with a score of 81 and WA Hugo again qualified with his dog Mac, but this time out of the senior class by winning with a score above 90%. A number of the young dogs featured in the placings and qualifications are progeny of Aled Owen’s Cap via imported semen – Mac, Cap, Zara, Nan & Skye took all the placings in the junior and senior classes.

 

Thanks to Herman van der Merwe of the use of his venue and sheep and to host WA Hugo for all the hard work in making the event successful and enjoyable.

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Best Junior – MAC – W.A. Hugo

Best Senior – NAN – P. Philip

Best Top Dog – MIRK – A. Philip

 

Day 1: SANDVELD Championship

Juniors (90): Judge – Pippa Philip

1. WA Hugo Mac 82 Q

2. Y Fourie Wimpie 68 COM

3. J v d Vyver Cap 64

Seniors (100): Judge – Mark Trollip

1. A Gunter Zara 75

2. P Philip Nan 66

Top Dogs (110): Judge – Pippa Philip

1. A Philip Mirk 95

2. M Trollip Diesel 94

3. A Philip Zap 89

4. WA Hugo Adam 86

5. Y Fourie Kwagga 85

 

Day 2: WESKUS Kampioenskap

Juniors (90): Judge – Andrew Philip

1. J v d Vyver Skye 81 Q

2. Y Fourie Wimpie 73

3. J v d Vyver Cap 71

Seniors (100): Judge – Mark Trollip

1. WA Hugo Mac 92 Q

2. P Philip Nan 85

3. J v d Vyver Missy 71

Top Dogs (110): Judge – Pippa Philip

1. A Philip Mirk 97

2. A Gunter Faffa 94

3. M Trollip Diesel 91

4. J v d Vyver Sissy 87

5. A Philip Zap 82