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.WORKING DOGS
Les and good Bess enjoy a Stokesley trial victory
IN THE warm weather of the weekend, the Mule hoggs at the Stokesley Show opens were grateful they had been sheared, particularly as the temperature rose steadily in the afternoon.
However, having recently lost their fleeces, they were flighty for the morning trial of 25 entries judged by the previous year’s winner, Brenda Swinbank.
As the flat course was set on Stokesley showground, the permanent main ring made from posts and rails stood right in the middle of it.
Although the ring rather confused several dogs, it stopped them from crossing.
Running mid-morning, Les Jones and Bess were the winners on 76 points, six clear of runners-up Roger Jewitt and Nell.
Having won the afternoon trial last year, Les judged the afternoon session of 26 entries.
The sheep were taken back and were much more settled when run a second time over where a shed followed the pen.
Running early, Roger Jewitt and Nell had a very good round apart from slipping their sheep at the fetch gates.
With 87 points they stood top until, late in the day, Charles Cutler pulled ahead on 88 with Ben.
Next to the post, Bob Harland and Shep matched their score to take the title on an outbye decision.
Clipped Mule hoggs
At Holmrook, the running was again on recently clipped Mule hoggs, which worked consistently well throughout. Set over a pasture which dipped in the middle, the gather approached 350 metres.
Driving was right-handed down the dip and through an obstacle, up the hill and through a second obstacle before turning into the cross-drive where the third and last obstacle was a pull through. Mark Pickering judged the entry of 53.
Running in the afternoon, Raymond MacPherson had a near-perfect trial with Moss to take the title on 88 points. With the penultimate trial, Norman Ireland and Floss made a strong challenge to be the runners-up on 87.
An open trial, sponsored by Brian Sellers, was held at Downham on Sunday to raise funds for the 2011 World Trial.
Stuart Walton judged the entry of 63.
Rising gently to the lift, the course had a fetch of 320 metres which was gathered either way.
The unclipped Mule hoggs were generally heavy and a good number of dogs ran out of time.
However, running early at six, Arthur Temple and Meg had a packet which moved quite freely. Gathering right-handed the tri-coloured bitch had a faultless outrun and lift.
For slight deviations, she lost one point from her fetch and two marks throughout the whole of her driving.
The sheep were never easy to pen and after holding them at the mouth, Meg carefully backed them in losing just an odd point.
Her score of 86 held the lead while Frank Cleary’s Dan, running at 48 was the runner-up on 83.
ENGLISH RESULTS
STOKESLEY SHOW Trials, Stokesley Showground, North Yorkshire, Morning Open (Judge, B. Swinbank, Isle of Man, 25 ran) 1, L. Jones (Wrelton) Bess, 76 of 90; 2, R. Jewitt (Naburn) Nell, 70; 3, B. Bell (Hamsterley) Moss, 64 OLF; 4, F. Whitfield (Quebec) Kyle, 64; 5, D. Bowmer (Scotton) Del, 61; 6, J. Read (Louth) Swift, 50.
Afternoon Open (L. Jones, 26 ran) 1, B. Harland (Pickering) Shep, 88 of 100 OLF; 2, C. Cutler (Easby) Ben, 88; 3, R. Jewitt, Nell, 87; 4, J. Cook (Egton) Jade, 85; 5, B. Bell, Moss, 84, OLF; 6, C. Cutler, Sam, 84.
HOLMROOK, Cumbria, Open (M. Pickering, Penrith, 53 ran) 1, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Moss, 88 of 90; 2, N. Ireland (Holmrook) Floss, 87; 3, A. Temple (Holmrook) Meg, 86 OLF; 4, F. Cleary (Tockholes) Peg, 86; 5, D. Carlton (Newton) Ann, 86; 6, A. Temple, Bob, 85.
FUNDRAISING Trial, New Close Farm, Downham, Clitheroe, Lancashire, Open (S. Walton, Carnforth, 63 ran) 1, A. Temple (Holmrook) Meg, 86 of 90; 2, F. Cleary (Tockholes) Dan, 83; 3, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Fleet, 76; 4, L. Cowper (Threlkeld) Fleet, 75; 5, W. Bell (Earby) Meg, 74; 6, J. Palmer (Twiston) Jim, 73. Sponsored by Brian Sellers.
TEWITFIELD, Greenlands Farm, Tewitfield, Carnforth, Lancashire, Open (M. Pickering, Penrith, 31 ran) 1, R. Dean (Chipping) Jip, 84 of 90; 2, R. Harrison (Shap) Mac, 82; 3, J. Palmer (Twiston) Sly, 81 OLF; 4, A. Temple (Holmrook) Meg, 81; 5, R. Dean, Moss, 80; 6, B. Swinbank (Isle of Man) Nell, 79.
EASS Methwold Trial, (J. Gent, Oundle, 31 ran) Open, 1, A. Rouse (Hildersham) Floss, 91 of 100; 2, S. Little (Kerdiston) Brad, 87 OLF; 3, G. Watt (Saham Toney) Breeze, 87; 4, S. Little, Foxey, 84 OLF; 5, S. Little, Kep, 84; 6, E. Hawkins (Stowmarket) Bill, 74.
Novice, 1, A. Sharpe (Hertfordshire) Sianco, 71 of 100; 2, E. Etheridge (Ipswich) Zip, 68; 3, A. Abbott (Halesworth) Skye, 56 OLF; 4, C. Jenkins (Shadwell) Jel, 56.
Nursery, 1, S. Brook (Saham Toney) Henna, 59 of 90; 2, S. Little, Bryn, 58; 3, E. Etheridge, Ben, 51; 4, A. Rouse, Moss, 50.
GOLDEN Anniversary Open, Hill View, Appledore, Kent (S. Barry, Marlborough, 43 ran) 1, Ray Edwards (Eartham) Spud, 85 of 100; 2, J. Drinkwater (Lampeter) Pip, 83; 3, W. Cole (Tillingham) Moss, 80; 4, D. Thompson (Tenterden) Tim, 77; 5, W. Cole, Fell, 76 OLF; 6, R. Putnam (Kirdford) Fly, 76.
Novice, 1, J. Drinkwater, Pip, 83 of 100; 2, B. Powell (Cold Ashby) Todd, 72; 3, R. Macrae (Upper Hardes) Lyn, 51.
WIRSWALL, Whitchurch, Shropshire, Morning Trial (G. Dermody, Nantwich, 30 ran,) Open, 1, E. Morgan (Aberystwyth) Fred, 77 of 90; 2, A. Owen (Corwen) Mac, 76; 3, P. Williams (Treuddyn) Sweep, 75; 4, A. Bennett (Asterton) Jan, 74; 5, E.W. Edwards (Ruthin) Cap, 72; 6, C. Roberts (Llanwddyn) Meg, 71.
Novice, 1, A. Bennett, Jan, 74 of 90; 2, A. Gilchrist (Llangollen) Bob, 70; 3, J. Harvey (Leek) Pat, 65; 4, C. Burson (Lonscale) Tess, 62.
Afternoon Open (E.W. Edwards, 55 ran) 1, B. Davies (Bryneglwys) Tan, 83 of 90 OLF; 2, A. Owen, Roy, 83; 3, R.H. Jones (Llanfechain) Meg, 82; 4, E. Morgan, Spot, 79 OLF; 5, A. Gilchrist, Roy, 79; 6, A. Roberts (Pentrefoelas) Bill, 78.
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