Ask someone their proudest moment in life and many respond with their marriage, the birth of their first child, or, for some guys, the first time they ever kissed a girl. But ask this of a sheepdog enthusiast, and the answer can be quite different. The first time one represents their country in an international trial ranks right up there. But perhaps testimony to the high esteem the international sheepdog trailing community has for the World Sheepdog Trials, for one person, Bernard Arends, leading the parade at the 2005 World Trial in Tullamore, Ireland was one of his proudest moments. Imagine, if you will, dreaming of flying half way around the world with a couple of dogs and filled with hope and excited anticipation about competing for your country in the crème de la crème of sheepdog trials, and then waking up to find yourself being first in line leading some of the finest handlers and dogs of our time down the High Street of Tullamore. Spine-tingling!
Bernard Arends was born and bred in New Zealand. His parents immigrated to New Zealand from the Netherlands in the early 1950s. He is the second of a six children. While his parents were dairy farmers, a young Bernard yearned for sheep and cattle, as his obvious passions were dogs and horses. He purchased his first sheep and beef farm at the age of 25 on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. For those who don’t know the area, picture big rolling hills, lush pastures, and postcard perfect scenery. Add world renowned stock horses, great dogs, and a history of great dog people, and, well, Bernard had found his slice of heaven. This was nicely rounded out with his wife Annette and three children, Richard, Anneka and Simon. How one could leave this slice of heaven for the Australian outback is beyond imagination, but perhaps it was the thought of tending 3,000 ewes and their lambs and 250 breeding cows on 6,000 acres, and the test this presents to man and beast, that drew him to Australia. In 2008, Bernard represented Australia at the World Trial. Before leaving New Zealand Bernard had to his credit 3 New Zealand (national) titles, 10 Island titles, over 20 placings in New Zealand and Island competitions, and he had represented New Zealand six times in Trans-Tasman tests against Australia. Bernard also captained the New Zealand team that competed at the ISDS World Sheepdog Championships at Tullamore, Ireland, in July 2005.
Now back living in New Zealand and once again on the NZ team, Bernard will be bringing two dogs with him to 2011 World Trial. Bernard hopes to improve on his placing in the 2008 World Trial where he narrowly missed making the final.
Bernard pays homage to two well-known New Zealand dog-men - Bob Bryson and Merv Utting - as being instrumental in his breeding programme and trialling career. Both of these men have represented their country many times and both are still active at the top level of competition in New Zealand. In Bernard’s opinion, Bob Bryson is one of the best dog trainers he has ever met, with an excellent combination of natural stock sense, a willingness to help anyone, and a competitive mindset. This is high praise from a man who, himself, attracts high accolades throughout Australia and New Zealand for the quality of the advice he dispenses at his many training schools. He is well known for getting his pupils to be the sheepdog and asking them manoeuvre sheep around a few obstacles in a field.