Calderdale George sets notable nursery record

Stuart, who was running Calderdale George at Douglas Water, previously won in 1994 with Sweep, and in 1996 with Star, later to become International Supreme champion in 2002.

Stuart said, “George was third in the team, but he came on at the right time for the final – and he ran well on the day. I’m every pleased.”

The Cheviot cross Texel hoggs were testing on the course, wary of the potential dangers lurking beyond the woodwork and inclined to slip neatly round the gates rather than pass though them and capable of finding out the weaknesses of the young dogs.

The course was flat and afforded good viewing all round, but the ten minutes allocated for each run was barely enough for some dogs to complete the extensive course and a number ran out of time,

Stuart and Calderdale George took the lead with an accomplished run, only experiencing any difficulties on the fetch and drive. George ran out clean to the top on a good line, tucked himself behind the sheep, giving them plenty space and lifted them without upset.

Overshot

There was a minor waver on the line of the fetch, but the sheep went through the gate. The drive went very well until, approaching the cross drive gates, George overshot his flank command and turned the sheep, creating a zigzag motion until they were realigned in time to be put through the gate, but the hoggs stayed calm throughout and George penned and shed cleanly, earning first place on 90 points.

Julie Hill and Mac opened the captain’s round with a fine run that was marred by a hole on the fetch, which cost them the trial. Mac ran out nicely, but was a little tight on the sheep at the top and unsettled them on the lift.

As the sheep neared the fetch gate, Julie had Mac in position to stop a break and then realised that the hoggs had seen opportunity on the other side but she could not have Mac on both sides at one time, and so the sheep slipped round the gate.

With that behind him, Mac managed to control the sheep well and kept good lines and neat turns on the drive, stopping one hogg with thoughts of rebellion in mind. At the pen, she tried again but Mac turned her back, penned the lot and finished with a clean shed, earning 85 points and second place.

Brian Strachan’s Sweep moved into third place on 83 points with the last run of the day.

Sweep ran out a little square at the start, but was on track by the time he reached the top and lifted cleanly. He too had an awkward case, determined to play up on the fetch and at the start of the drive – to the extent that, when the packet slipped by the drive away gate, she chose to establish her independence by going through it.

She settled better into the group on the cross drive and Sweep penned them very well. At the shed, Brian took advantage of the hogg’s urge to break to split the packet, but she had no wish to make up a twosome and tried to go solo, but Sweep held both dogs under his authority.

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