For Ngātīmoti farmer Emma Eggers, working dogs have always been part of life. Running a sheep and beef operation alongside husband Alastair, with about 2,000 breeding ewes and 100 cattle, dogs are essential to keeping the farm moving.
Despite always having dogs at her side, Emma says she had long considered getting involved in dog trials but struggled to find the time or confidence.
“I always wanted to, but never really plucked up the courage. I thought being in a club full of older guys could feel quite daunting,” she says.
About four or five years ago, when membership numbers at the local Waimea Dog Trial Club began to dwindle, Emma decided it was time to get involved. She is now the club’s vice- president.
Since then, she says, the club has taken on a new lease of life, with long-standing members continuing much of the behind-the-scenes work while newer members help inject fresh energy.
Emma has four working dogs, two of which she trials. Seeing a dog learn and perform well is one of the most rewarding parts of the sport.
“It’s very rewarding. When you have trained a dog yourself and it works well for you. When you have a good run you really get a kick out of it.”
Balancing farm work with trial preparation can be challenging. While dogs are used daily on the farm, trialling demands another level of precision.
“It’s quite different to farm work. On the farm you are getting the job done, but at trials you need that finer tuning.”
Over the past five years, Emma says, she has learnt a lot and continues to refine her handling along with her dogs’ work. Having training yards at home has helped her practise the more technical skills required.
The club has also been focusing on making things more social for newcomers and existing members. Get-togethers and have-a-go days have helped encourage people curious about the sport to give it a try.
The Waimea Dog Trial Club invites spectators to come and watch the action or connect with the group to see how to get involved. The next club trial day is this weekend, on Saturday April 18 from 9am at 320 Higgins Road, Wakefield. All are welcome.
Enquiries: waimeasdtc@gmail.com
