We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.John Palmer and Sly clock up sixth win of the season
JOHN Palmer and Sly took their sixth win of the season on Saturday at the Yorkshire nursery, held on the Trawden Showfield.
Fog delayed proceedings until mid-day, when it lifted sufficiently to enable the trial to commence. Despite the late start, Ian Salter, who judged the entry of 32 dogs, saw the final competitor go to the post well before 4pm.
Over a gently rising course with a fetch of about 250 yards (230m), running was on Mule gimmer hoggs. If lifted gently and handled with care, the sheep ran well over the outfield, but they could be tricky to pen.
At 11, Shirley Cropper took the lead with Tess. After an excellent outfield run, where only three marks were dropped, they had difficulty penning. Losing five of the 10 penning points, their score of 82 held the lead until, at 31, John and Sly pulled ahead.
Going with the majority, Sly gathered right-handed. Both his outrun and lift were clean before he lost two points from his fetch for line deviations.
Keeping his sheep settled and moving at a steady pace, he lost one mark from each of the three sections of the left-hand drive. A slight break at the pen cost two marks, giving Sly the title with a single-point advantage on 83.
John Roberts of Farnhill bred the smooth-coated black and white dog, registered Fly, in June 2007 out of Jan and by Glen. Sly took his first win in October at the Northern Association and has since won at Fylde, Meltham, Windermere, Trawden and now at Yorkshire.
Northumberland
On Saturday, the Northumberland League held its first nursery since December 13, as three trials had to be cancelled due to the weather. Running was over a flat field at Seahouses, where the 250-yard (230m) gather was taken either way.
Worked in packets of four, the Texel cross hoggs were good to manage, despite the wet and windy conditions. Rather than being flighty, they needed to be gently pushed over the outfield and were good to pen and shed. Bill Elliott judged the entry of 10 dogs in a balloted running order.
First to run, Scott Smith set the standard with Nell on 89 of 100 points. They stood top until, running at four, Scott went ahead with his second dog, Nap.
Gathering right-handed, Nap had an excellent outfield run. He penned his sheep, but, just as his master was about to close the gate, one bolted out.
The hogg was secured on the second attempt, but then caused problems at the shed by breaking off on its own. With most points lost going from his work at hand, Nap’s score of 90 gave him the advantage and he took his third win.
Home-bred in October 2007 out of his master’s Jess, Nap was sired by Paul Turnbull’s Mirk. Best novice went to Marilyn Iley with Cap.
Windermere
Alec Baines’ Tanhill Will took his first win on Sunday at the Windermere nursery, held at Whitbeck, where Norman Ireland judged the entry of 19.
Worked in packets of three, the Swaledale hoggs were good to manage, apart from being reluctant to flow over the first leg of the left-hand drive, where they would turn and face the dogs.
Running at 12, Will handled his sheep well, carefully working his packet over this difficult section without upsetting them. Finishing with a clean pen, his score of 83 took the lead. With the following run, Athol Clark’s Jill was runner-up on 80 points.
Smooth-coated, tri-coloured Will was home-bred in January 2008 out of his master’s Jess and sired by his Rick. His full litter brother, red and white Tanhill Joe, was placed fifth. With run 14, Joe Lowry, running Sky, was the best new handler.
Ryedale
Willie Young judged the entry of 22 at the Ryedale nursery, held on Sunday at Langdale End.
Gathering downhill, the course was set over undulating ground. Running was on mixed gimmer hoggs that required working with just the correct amount of pressure. If pushed too hard they would split, yet they would soon take advantage and face those dogs which were too careful.
At five, Roger Jewitt and Gel set the standard. After catching the first two obstacles, they slipped an odd sheep at the cross drive gates. Although the hoggs were hard to box, Gel held her packet in the mouth of the pen and gradually worked them in.
Her score of 74 failed to be matched and she took her first title with a clear seven-point lead over Philip Exelby’s Perrydale Lisa on 67. Gel was bred in April 2007 by J. McFarlane of Omagh out of Lin and sired by J. Diamond’s Ben.