Beris Manson has best run at Newbridge-on-Wye

Despite the competition, the atmosphere was jovial for this annual event.The weather remained dry for the trial on Saturday in the national style. It was held on a rectangular, clean field, which gave an outrun of some 256m (280 yards).

Following a turn to the right around the handler, the drives were of similar length to the fetch. There was no shed, but after penning there was a single.

The Hardy Speckle-face ewes which were fresh off the mountain, were extremely difficult to handle. Having stood well at the lift, they could take off when on the return, at the turn around the handler, or at the pen.

Dominant handling by good dogs seemed to be the order of the day, although the first run of the day proved to be the best to watch – Beris Mason having almost clean lines with Spot losing only eight points round the course. He was unfortunately timed out at the pen.

Gwynfor Thomas must have been hopeful with his controlled run, until Kevin Evans ran Spot and lost one less point.

In the afternoon Glyn Owen was well assisted by his knowledgeable Taff, until Nigel Watkins took first place with Jody who responded well to his fast handling. Both Kevin’s Spot and Nigel’s Jody are the progeny of Kevin Evans’ Jaff, as is Greg, a grandson. Spot is now 14, and enjoying retirement.

Uwchaled

It was again at Defaidty that the Uwchaled trial was staged. There were three qualifying trials from which the best three in each went forward to a double-fetch final.

The Welsh half-bred ewes behaved very well over the 275m (300 yard) course, but dogs needed to be directed to their packet of five sheep.

In the final, two packets of six sheep were gathered, firstly from the left, the go-back was to the right. After the drives which were mainly well conducted, in the shedding ring, four collared sheep were taken off and then penned. From the high standard displayed, all bodes well for a good Welsh National.

Banc y Darren

At Banc y Darren there were both open and novice national and open South Wales-style competitions. The Welsh Mountain Ewes proved to be very flighty around the course which gave a 246m (270 yard) fetch and drives of approximately 500yards following a left-hand turn around the handler.

It was at the pen that most problems were experienced. There was no shed but a single followed the pen, to complete the course. 

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