Tony and Sam win at Eastnor

The trial was staged by invitation of the Hervey-Bathurst family, who provided the services of the estate shepherd, Rob Moore, who walked each packet some 91 metres (100 yards) to the lift.

Proceeds from the trial, which was the brainchild of Alison Smith and Alice Potter, will be donated to The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.

Only part of the vast field was used, providing a 328-yard fetch and drives totalling some 492 yards. Handlers sent their dogs from a flat section up a steep hill, and most favoured a left-hand outrun as the right was unsighted until the dogs reached their sheep.

After the drives across the face of the hill, in-bye work was conducted on the flat; a stock trailer replaced the pen and the side door was open in the morning, but closed in the afternoon.

The Texel cross North Country mule hoggs were reasonably consistent throughout the day.

Obley

On Sunday it was novice day at Higher Hagley Farm, Obley, where 50 dogs and handlers competed on a 6.5ha (16-acre) field, provided by Lorna Owen.

The white-faced Mule hoggs had only just been sheared, but handlers had a full course, including a shed. The back of the pen was removed to assist competitors in finishing their runs. Young handler entries were low, but the standard was high.

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