Vic Morris and Roy master unruly sheep

The course fell away from the handler across a flatish valley floor and climbed steadily to the release pen. This was a true hill trial with no hedges or fences to guide dogs, and was not the place for dogs, which could not take command of, and work, their packet of sheep.

Dogs sent to the right could go on a good line, locate their sheep, and, as long as they were not tight at the lift, start a steady fetch.

If, however, they did not give at the lift, they could hit into the sheep, sending them hurtling back to the release pen. The yearling mules could prove to be stubborn and face a dog if it showed any sign of weakness.

Dogs sent to the left had scope to go too wide, and, if not directed by the handler, could miss their sheep.

The fetch gates and turn around the handler were usually uneventful, but the away drive downhill, caused many problems; it was here the sheep could refuse the efforts of some dogs to take them into the drive.

The gates at the end of the cross-drive could easily be missed, after which the handler had to get to the pen to meet the sheep and a straight return was not always possible.

Little pressure was needed to pen the sheep. A single followed the pen and was usually easily completed.

No sheep ran twice. The release pen was restocked with fresh sheep about mid-day, and in what was a real work situation, the dogs that impressed earned the respect of the sheep and took every command given.

The runs of the eventual winner Vic Morris, of Clun, with Roy, and runner-up Jeff Hudd, Tredegar, with Fleece, were a joy to watch and a credit to them both.

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