International Sheepdog Trials

The International, the Blue Riband event in the calendar of sheepdog trialling, was staged in the grounds of Kinmel Park, Abergele, and was generally considered one of the best courses over which the event has been held.

The International is the last major activity for which the relevant outgoing national president has a responsibility, and as such last weekend was the swansong of Ellis Wynn Edwards.

Added to the superb course, the workable sheep that were a pleasure to trial resulted in the Kinmel Park International being one of the best held.

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Qualifying days

During the first two qualifying days the scores were posted at regular intervals. The dogs were reduced from the original 60 to the 15 that would compete in the supreme championship. Excitement grew as the cut-off point approached, and it also revealed the position of the teams as they vied for the team shield, won this year and for the first time, by Ireland. The brace competition was also held on the qualifying days, won by Jim Cropper with Fleet and Dan, running for England.

But nothing beat the tension and excitement of the announcement of the scores on the third day, especially as it got down to the last three names and scores and then there was just one name left to call, Kevin Evans and Mirk, the 2008 Supreme Champion.

Through out the three days the weather was atrocious. The ground soon became sodden and muddy underfoot but even these conditions failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the large and knowledgeable crowds that filled the grandstands or watched from the rails.

On day two Nigel Watkins had to stand at the post for seven and a half minutes with Floss, with the rain making it impossible to see more than about 10 yards but the moment it cleared Nigel went to work in spite of the time he had lost, and was awarded the Ashton Priestley Trophy for the best sportsman.

The driving and the underhand work were on flat land but this was not reached until the dogs had brought their sheep down some very steep ground. The courses for both the qualifier and the Supreme were of the full length laid down.

In the qualifying trials only one or two dogs were sent out to the right where they could go very wide and then had to climb up through some trees and bushes. Sent to the left dogs could also go wide but the ground was clear all the way to the point of lift. Very few dogs needed no commanding on their outrun.

There was plenty of time to straighten up the sheep before reaching the fetch gates which were set at about two-thirds of the way from the lift. To qualify for a place in the Supreme dogs had to have scored 388 points or more. Five dogs scored 400 points or more, including the run by Neil Campbell with Moss. His score of 422 points was the best within living memory and it was marvellous to watch. Moss who runs with his head up bossed his sheep from the beginning and his work in the ring and at the pen was so calm – a joy to watch.

The young handlers final was run on Saturday with Robbie Welsh of Scotland taking the title with his dog Jim.

Supreme Championship

The Supreme Championship, as always, was a double fetch for which the running order was drawn. The first gather was to the right and the turn back was at a post on the handlers’ side of the fetch gates. After negotiating the 20 sheep around the course, five collared sheep had to be left in the shedding ring to be penned within a time limit of 30 minutes.

The judges were unanimous in awarding the championship to Kevin Evans and Mirk on a score of 595 points. His nearest rival was Alan Jones’ Bet, winner of the Welsh National, on 590 points. Mirk needed a couple of whistles on both outruns but from the second gather on the work was very smooth especially underhand.

It was the fourth time that Kevin, who, at 27, is not quite the youngest handler to be supreme champion, had appeared in the final. Mirk is black and white, smooth coated and prick eared, He came to Kevin as a service puppy.

INTERNATIONAL SHEEPDOG TRIALS' RESULTS

INTERNATIONAL. 1, D.K. Evans (W) Mirk, 595; 2, A. Ll. Jones (Defaidty) (W) Bet, 590; 3, N. Campbell (S) Moss, 575; 4, J.P. McGee (I) Becca, 561; 5, G.L. Jones (Llanarmon (W) Ben, 545; 6, A.A. Lyttle (I) Spot 528; 7. W.G.L. Davies (W) Moss, 519; 8, M. Gallaher (I) Cap, 462; 9. S. Gallager (I) Glen, 449; 10, G.T. Watson (E) Eryri Rock, 229; 11, S.L. Davidson (S) Rob, 444; 12; J.R. Welsh (S) Tanhill Nap, 422; 13, S. Gormley (I) Mali, 398; 14; M.C. Shearer (S) Cap, 397; 15. J.R. Welsh (S) Mack, 386. Brace: J. Cropper (E) with Fleet and Dan. Young Handler, R. Welsh (S) with Maid.