There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.England: Faultless Open finish at Trough
WITH a single point advantage, Joseph Relph and Mac were the winners at the Wyndfell Open held on Saturday at Newton, on the edge of the Trough of Bowland.
Gathering uphill some 370 yards, all but two of the 39 pre-entered dogs ran out to the left as they were lost from sight on the right.
The extensive drive was left-handed, the first leg being mainly on flat ground before traversing across the hillside to the final obstacle. Following the pen, there was a single to be taken within the 11 minutes of time set by the judge, Bob Clarkson.
Throughout, the Mule, Lleyn and Swaledale shearlings, turned out as they came, were good to handle.
At 12, John Palmer took the lead with Jim on 90 points. But 10 runs later, Joseph and Mac pulled ahead. Although Mac had a better lift, he lost two more points than Jim for deviations over the fetch and drive.
On reaching the pen, the two dogs were level, having both dropped nine marks.
Jim lost one point from his single, therefore, it was Mac’s faultless finish which won him the day. Bred in December 2003 by Richard Alpe out of Peg, Mac was sired by Dick Roper’s Tom.
Over the weekend, the Ryedale Society held two open trials at Fridlington Farms, Sheriff Hutton - ending with a double gather championship.
Running was on a new field which enabled a gather of 400 yards over flat ground.
On Saturday, the Easycare shearlings worked in fours, were very touchy and, sticking tightly together, proved hard to split.
Out of time
Consequently, a good number of the 48 entries judged by Sandy Beaton, ran out of time.
However, running at 26, Tom Lawrenson’s Clyde had the measure of them and, with 92 points, was the clear winner.
On Sunday, the strong wind made hearing difficult in places but, as the sheep behaved better, the majority of dogs finished.
Of the 51 entries judged by Philip Exelby, the title went to Michael Longton and Don with 93 points.
The top three dogs from each day qualified for the championship, but as Tom withdrew his dog Spot, George Redpath, placed fourth, went forward with Scott. They were drawn to run fifth and went on to win, eight points clear of runner-up, Thomas Longton with Spot.
A morning and an afternoon trial took place at Holmrook on Sunday where the Mule shearlings ran well and enabled a high standard of competitive work.
Dipping in the middle, the course had a fetch of 300 yards and was gathered either way.
With a near-perfect trial, Alan Comman topped the entry of 31, judged by Athol Clark in the morning. Raymond MacPherson and Don won in the afternoon when Keith Preston judged an entry of 30.
ENGLISH RESULTS
WYNDFELL, Newton, Lancashire, Open (Judge, B. Clarkson, Embsay, 39 ran): 1, J. Relph (Borrowdale) Mac, 91 of 100; 2, J. Palmer (Twiston) Jim, 90; 3, R. Dean (Chipping) Moss, 88 OLF; 4, T. Iley (Longframlington) Grit, 88; 5, P. Noble (Quernmore) Jack, 86; 6, D. Scrimgeour (Lonscale) Zac, 84.
RYEDALE, Fridlington Farms, Sheriff Hutton, York, Saturday Open (S. Beaton, Nun Appleton, 48 ran): 1, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Clyde, 92 of 100; 2, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Spot, 86; 3, T. Lawrenson Spot, 78; 4, G. Redpath (Dacre) Scott, 77 OLF; 5, D. Bristow (Murton) Parksfarm Bella, 77; 6, H. Loates (South Leverton) Sweep, 77.
Sunday Open (P. Exelby, Nun Appleton, 51 ran); 1, Michael Longton (Quernmore) Don, 93 of 100; 2, A. Kyme (Lumb) Sally, 92; 3, M. Watson (Tadcaster) Milo, 91 OLF; 4, Michael Longton, Todd, 91; 5, T. Lawrenson, Kune, 91; 6, G. Redpath, Scott, 87.
Double Gather championship (S. Beaton and P. Exelby, 6 ran): 1, G. Redpath, Scott, 268 of 300; 2, Thomas Longton, Spot, 260; 3, T. Lawrenson, Clyde, 247.
HOLMROOK, Cumbria, Morning Open (A. Clark, Middleton, 31 ran): 1, A. Common (Lockerbie) Mirk, 98 of 100; 2, D. Harrison (Selside) Ben, 96; 3, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Moss, 95; 4, K. Preston (Kirkwhelpington) Queen, 94 OLF; 5, A. Temple (Holmrook) Meg, 94; 6, M. Elliott (Kirklinton) Tip, 94.
Afternoon Open (K. Preston, 30 ran): 1, R. MacPherson, Don, 86 of 90; 2, K. Cropper (Shap) Nell, 85; 3, D. Harrison, Ben, 84 OLF; 4, A. Temple, Fly, 84; 5, N. Ireland (Holmrook) Maggie, 84; 6, A. Common, Mirk, 83.
MID-SHIRES, Station Farm, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire (P. Miller, Kegworth): 1, A. Hall (Wolvey) Mist, 92 of 100; 2, A. Rouse (Hildersham) Floss, 90 OLF; 3, B. Smith (Ashbourne) Pete, 90; 4, S. Little (Kerdiston) Foxy, 89 OLF; 5, T. Foster (Creaton) Nellie, 89; 6, N. Vyas (Wigston) Mac, 88.
Novice: 1, A. Sharpe (Stanmore) Sianco, 75 of 100; 2, A. Blackmore (Ledbury) Sweep, 66.
DEVON & EXMOOR: BRENDON HILLS, Exmoor, Open (D. Roper, Northleach, 60 ran): 1, J. Holdsworth (Moretonhampstead) Meg, 91.5 of 100; 2, G. Glanville (Iron Acton) Max, 89; 3, J. Watson (Brecon) Rob, 86; 4, T. Griffiths (Lydney) Sam, 83; 5, G. Martin (Lydney) Bob, 82 OLF; 6, J. Carter (Delabole) Jen, 82.
KENTISBURY DOWN, Open (A. Jackman, Brockham, 34 ran): 1, J. Watson, Craig, 82 of 100; 2, D. Roper, Scrap, 81; 3, J. Watson, Mirk, 78; 4, J. Harper (Jacobstowe) Dee, 73; 5, J. Whiteley (Somerton) Meg, 72; 6, J. Carter Jake, 71.
CRONK-Y-VODDY Charity Trial, Isle of Man, Qualifying Open (N. Christian, Crosby): 1, S, Skinner (Marown) Chip, 96 of 100; 2, B. Davenport (Sulby) Jan, 91; 3, R. Crowe (Bishopscourt) Storm, 88; 4, R. Crowe, Nell, 82; 5, J. Chadwick (St John’s) Nell, 74.
Working class: 1, W. Cowell (Douglas) Nan, 45 of 60; 2, B. Davenport, Molly, 40; 3, H. Corkish (Peel) Susie, 37; 4, V. Sloane-Masson (Ballacricket) Gem, 35; 5, M. Osborne (St John’s) Jess, 35.
Final: 1, S. Skinner, Chip, 134 of 150; 2, J. Chadwick, Nell, 122; 3, R. Crowe, Nell, 122; 4, B. Davenport, Jan, 94.
Also in: England: Faultless Open finish at Trough
Farmers Guardian newsletters
Get the best of Farmers Guardian delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign-up today
-
General news and breaking news alerts
Minimum weekly delivery -
Livestock, arable, dairy and young farmers
news and features
Monthly delivery