100 years of dog trials

They have often been referred to as the marriage trials rather than the dog trials, such is the time the men spend at them.

But regardless of the reputation, the Tarata Sheep Dog Trial Club is still going strong and celebrates its centenary next month in a special five-day event.

The club is one of the few that has survived in the district over the years, with the Tarata school and the tennis and badminton clubs closing down.

"It is a very good thing for the district, socially. Nowadays we don't have all the clubs and the sports events we used to have," club patron Bill Leake says.

The 68-year-old started competing in 1966.

"I used to have a lot of success years ago. I'm not actively competing now," he says.

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I hope that there are a lot of young folk competing... it's such a great sport!