Louise Amos's Corriedhu Breac cools down in the trough after his run
A last minute change of venue to the picturesque Great Trodgers Farm, led to some scenic journeys to the trial for some competitors. Hopefully everyone who set out for the trial made it there and we didn’t lose anyone in the Sussex lanes. Phone reception was virtually non-existent so we couldn’t really have helped anyone anyway!
The weather was warm and sunny, though a cool breeze meant the dogs and sheep were not overheated. A huge trough of water was on hand to cool down the canine competitors, while delicious refreshments were laid on for the humans by farm manager Simon and his wife Pauline and her band of willing helpers.
The course ran diagonally across a sloping field, with a 300 yard fetch and approximately 450 yards of driving. There was some concern from some quarters initially about the lift point being too far into the corner and the drive gates being too close to the edges of the field (some thought they might turn off early), but during the first run the sheep demonstrated how far and fast they could run to the edge of the field beyond the drive gates before the dog could turn them! The field was actually deceptively large, and there was plenty of room for the dogs to get round at every point. It was unfortunate that the trial field could not be driven onto by the spectators, but we had to respect the wishes of the landowner and his desire to get the maximum silage off in this very poor yielding year. Rain has been very rare in this corner of England this summer. The resultant spectator’s gathering at the gate actually led to a really nice atmosphere, with competitors and general public alike chatting and mingling as they watched, rather than lingering in their cars.
Some video footage of the day courtesy of www.comebyandaway.co.uk
The sheep (early lambing Suffolk mule ewes) were testing – they needed just the right amount of pressure from the dog to run freely without sprinting and they were keen to reach the shade at the sides of the field. Their challenging bent was reflected in the number of retirements and disqualifications, however everyone I spoke to thought they were a very fair and even bunch. Our judge was Ray Edwards, he sat out in the sunshine all day, topping up his tan, with his right hand man Terry Stephens timekeeping. Cows in the neighbouring fields sometimes added to the drama, and the sheep were initially very reluctant to leave the field to the exhaust field through the spectators at the gate – a few delays were experienced when tired dogs hadn’t the legs left to push the point. The sheep were nice to handle in the pens, and the letters out on the whole had an easy job to get them to the post.
Those who ran out left - which actually had more room behind and looked the better bet - found the sheep were keen to sprint off away down the hedge. Although the right had less room, most who went that way found the sheep stood and lifted in a more controlled fashion, and hence came down the fetch straighter.
Running ninth, home shepherd Matt Greer and Star set the target with a run of 74, timing up at the mouth of the pen. He was followed by Andy Jackman with Clint, who immediately raised the bar with a score of 81, which was to remain unbeaten all day. Jackie Marsh had an impressive run, very nearly penning with her smart little bitch Gyp, but timing up with a score of 73, to land her in 6th place – pipped on OLF by Robert Putnam and Fly who were one of the few pairings to pen all day. Andy Jackman had another good run later on with Moss, scoring 77T. However novice handler Alison Sharpe, with her Novice dog Sianco pipped him on OLF to take 2nd place. Hearts were in mouths as their packet of sheep got away from the letters out, but Sianco and Alison coolly steered them back on course to have a run which would have taken the lead if she had had a clean shed. It was not to be, however they took the Novice prize and the Novice handler cup in style! Alison went home on cloud nine - as she says - Sianco has been knocking on the door for so long and she was rightly pleased with his performance today. There were 34 runners from 47 entries, 17 of which ended up with a score, but only 3 penned.
2nd in Open and winners of Novice and Novice Handler - Alison Sharpe and Sianco
Second place in the Novice was won by myself and my slate merle dog Corriedhu Breac. We had an interesting hooky shaped fetch but got all the gates in a vaguely triangular fashion and our sheep walked to the mouth of the pen as we timed up, finishing on 61. Third was Matt Greer with his Tom – they looked to be a big threat until the sheep split on the drive and the dog’s inexperience showed in putting them back together. They were successful in doing so, but missed the drive gates in the effort, then recovered well and went on to time out at the pen with 55.
It was a steep learning curve for me, as first time Secretary, Chairman and Trials Secretary, but I was well supported by Maria Giuliani acting as Course Director – coping ably with the wild and wonderful excuses people came up with to get an earlier place on the running order. For example – “400 of my sheep are rampaging around a village in West Sussex” and “I have to go and watch my daughter do a parachute jump”. Only kidding Paul and Jackie, we believe you! I think today Matt was rightly quite proud of his very fit looking sheep, and I have to thank him especially for bravely emptying the toilet while I gagged in the distance!
So it was not a trial without hiccups, and we have a way to go to make it run completely smoothly. Fortunately, quite soon we have another trial to practise on!
