Novice Triallist Kay McClymont Secures Win, Heads to Taupō

Kay McClymont achieved an impressive victory in the novice section of the South Island Yarding Challenge, held at the West Otago A&P Show in Tapanui on November 22, 2023. McClymont and her dog, Peggy Sue, were the only novice finalists to successfully pen a flock of composite hoggets, an accomplishment that left her “shocked” and thrilled.

Reflecting on the experience, McClymont expressed her excitement, stating, “It was exciting.” The triumph has qualified the duo for the national final of the New Zealand Yarding Challenge, scheduled for January 18, 2024, at Aratiatia Station in Taupō.

McClymont noted that this will be her first time competing in the North Island as well as her initial participation in a national final. “I don’t want to go all that way and not be competitive, so we’ll be ramping up the training through December and early January,” she added. Her enthusiasm for training stems from her passion for the sport, which she finds enjoyable rather than laborious.

The novice triallist operates a farm that includes sheep, beef, and deer on a 12-hectare property near Tapanui. In addition to her farming duties, McClymont serves as the Tapanui clinic co-ordinator for VetSouth. Peggy Sue, affectionately called “Peg,” is a two-year-old dog that McClymont bred and trained from a pup. The dog is sired by Brian Dickison’s dog, Cole.

Having been a member of the Maitland Sheep Dog Trial Club for over a decade, McClymont appreciates the strong support from her fellow club members. She described the atmosphere of the sport as highly social, emphasizing the camaraderie among competitors. “You’re all competing against each other, but everybody is so encouraging and supportive,” she remarked.

Notably, four of the five novice finalists at the Tapanui competition were women, highlighting a positive trend in the sport’s demographics. “It’s a really great sport to be involved in and there’s a lot of females in it now, which is really good,” McClymont stated.

Earlier in the season, McClymont and Peggy Sue had already made their mark by winning the maiden section at a heat for the New Zealand Yarding Challenge at the Ashburton A&P Show in early October, where they achieved a remarkable score of 91.5 points. “That was a shock as well,” she reflected on their earlier success.

The results from the Tux New Zealand Yarding Challenge South Island Final at the West Otago A&P Show revealed a competitive field. In the Open category, Ian Stevenson and his dog Queen secured first place with a score of 98, followed closely by Levi McCall and Mask with 97. In the novice category, McClymont and Peggy Sue topped the standings with a score of 77.5, followed by Sage Spence and Frankie at 77.

As the countdown to the national final begins, McClymont’s commitment to training will be paramount. With her passion for the sport and the support of her community, she is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming event in Taupō.