Ian Murdoch and Bob take Ryedale open title

With a fetch of 274m (300 yards), the course was mainly flat although had some undulations particularly towards the lift. Running was on packets of four Mule and Continental-cross shearlings turned out as they came.

Although they were from two flocks, they hung together quite well, but first time around they were hard to pen.

Chloe Cropper judged the entry of 55. After a good right-hand gather, Bob dropped odd marks for minor flaws finishing well at both the pen and split. Recently turned two years old, Bob’s score of 95 points gave him his first open title, one mark clear of runners up Jim Cropper and Black. 

Silverdale

Two days of competition took place at Silverdale last weekend. Set over gently rising, undulating ground the course had a fetch of more than 230m (250 yards). The packets of three Mule and Texel-cross ewes were manageable, but variable.

Malcolm Mason judged Saturday’s trial of 60 entries, where Richard Hutchinson’s Sweep (R. Hutchinson Lyn, R. Hutchinson Wenndale Roy) took the title on 94, six marks clear of Frank Cleary and Peg in second place.

On Sunday, Norman Ireland won with Floss, (T. Lawrenson Tillymauld Nell, D. Scrimgeour Ben) also on 94, two points clear of runners up James Burrow and Sam. Floss topped an entry of 50 dogs judged by Tom Lawrenson, who also judged the double gather championship of four contenders, the top two dogs from each day.

Frank and Peg were drawn to run third. As the sheep were hard to spot all dogs lost points over the first gather which was for three sheep to the right. Peg turned back well to gather her second packet to the left. She kept nice control throughout her driving, slipping three sheep at the last obstacle. A couple of points were dropped at the shed, one at the pen and finishing with a clean single gave Peg (F. Cleary Nell, J. Cropper Sid) the winning score of 127. With 122 points, for the second time that day James and Sam had to be content with being the runners up.

Peak Forest

Ian Hulme judged the entry of 58 at the Richard Saxon trial held at Peak Forest. Over a course that rose gently to the lift, with a 365m (400 yard) fetch the running was on Mule shearlings.

Although good over the course the sheep needed careful handling at the lift and they could be stubborn at the pen.

David Wood took the lead at 13 with Moe, but at 55 Ronnie Airey took a clear four point win with Bet (H. Francis Jill, H. Francis Rob) on 79. Running at three, David Pickford won best novice with Midge.

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