Welsh domination continued on home turf at the international level as Dewi Jenkins and Clwyd Bob were crowned Supreme Champions 2025.
Over the years, the Welsh Borders have been no stranger to fierce battles, and last week they were home to the toughest Sheepdog trial competition of them all, the International Supreme.
Held on the Trevor family's Brynkinalt Estate in Chirk, the trials proved a triumph from start to finish.
With the backdrop of the rolling North Walian countryside set, all the trialists did their best to fulfil their end of the deal, and the handlers did just that with the difficult Welsh Mountain ewes they ran.
On a field where points were coming off all over, it proved anybody's course. Each combination worked hard to try and make the final, giving the crowds fantastic displays of grit and determination and great trialling moments across the weekend.
The singles competition was a fierce battle between the wits of the handler, the response of the beast, the topography of the field, and the mind of the five Welsh Mountain yearling ewes.
READ NOW: Welsh National Sheepdog Trial: Brecon based trialists dominate
Keen-eyed and relishing their role, the judges were looking for the ideal - the classic outrun, the good top at the far end, the stop on balance allowing the sheep to be lifted straight. It was textbook judging, and the team agreed throughout.
Two of the judges, Simon Mosse and Bevis Jordan, commented that the course found its champion, and it did fall to the outrun, which was the tale the scoreboard told.
On day one, three handlers achieved the perfect score: Dewi Jenkins with Jock for Wales, Con McGarry with Karven Dave for Ireland, and Cameron Dickson with Tom for Scotland.
Michael Longton and the Rooten Brook Max were the best for England, losing a combined score of three for the outrun and lift. From then on, it went a bit wrong for the pair as a rogue ewe was determined to spoil their day. Soldiering on, they got round the course to the pen and here she finally won and they were timed out.
Micheal strode out to receive the Ashton Priestly Trophy, awarded by the judges to the "Best Sportsman", receiving a roar of applause, proving that trialing spectators appreciated the way in which he conducted himself when faced with that situation and that he is a role model to handlers everywhere; sometimes it does go wrong, and accepting it graciously is always to be admired.
Running last on day two, Chris Toner took on the challenge. There was no doubt pressure on the Scotsman's back, but the way he handled Niro Mace around the course did not show it. Sending him left-handed, he played a blinder, only the second person to send that way; he proved it could be done well, with points off here and there, a good shed allowed them enough room to qualify for the Supreme. Here, a slightly messy turn back spoiled all chances of the title.
Running fourth, Dewi Jenkins and nine-year-old Jock took to the post. A superb crossdrive, shed, and pen saw them lose a combined total of nine points for an excellent finish, but niggles on the outruns and fetches left them open to be beaten.
Learning from his first run, and with only one run between dogs, Mr Jenkins was back at the post with Clywd Bob for run six. This time, he knew what to be aware of and delivered a good run that left little to be criticised.
READ NOW: English National Sheepdog Trial: Sion Morgan and Jaff crowned champions
With excellent field work, his first outrun and lift looked clean, his turn back to a voice command was good, Bob was instant and certain in his movement. The second lift was surely clean and the fetch line excellent. At the turn of the post, it was all to play for, with the run being ahead of Jock's.
This drive had more issues, working to keep the sheep on line for the drive away, it looked hard going. The great turns, and seemingly good cross drive line made up for some of the packet spreading out, which proved dramatic, asking the question if there would be points off.
A good return line saw the drive complete and on to the shed.
For Mr Jenkins and Bob, the shed was not as clean as Jock's, which resulted in a few deducted points, but it remained close. Closing the pen, Mr Jenkins raised a fist in triumph to the cheer of the home crowd.
With his runs complete, he relaxed and watched the competition unfold.
Ireland's Dean McAuley and Joe had a very good day, despite a tricky first fetch which scuppered their chances of gaining a higher place, they kept their cool, Joe worked his heart out to win the trust of the sheep and please his handler which ensured their finish was good enough to land fourth overall.
Another Irish handler that impressed the crowds was 17-year-old Peter Og Morgan. Running a super bitch, three-year-old, Eve. They qualified for the Supreme with a sharp, brave single on day two. Awarded clean, it nudged them ahead of their rivals and secured their place in the Supreme, where they finished ninth overall.
This young combination proved one to watch in the future, with Mr Morgan having delivered mature handling combined with Eve's ability, and their mutual trust in each other being a joy to watch. Has Ireland now found their own Dewi Jenkins? Time will tell, but a bright future he is set to have.
READ NOW: Scottish National Sheepdog Trial: Chris Toner and Niro Mace triumph
Running second last, Kevin Evans did all he could to claim a sixth title. Leaving a field of spectators silenced as Mr Evans sent Jet out.
Jet ran out and lifted well for maximum points on her first gather. Offline for the fetch proved costly, when coupled with a wide outrun on the second gather and another tricky fetch, the pair had left themselves a lot to do after turning the post. But that Jet worked as hard as her handler to claw those points back.
The sheep, although consistent in their running, had not allowed anyone an easy time around the course, and knowing he had points to gain, Mr Evans put on a masterful display of handling and Jet a breathtaking display of responding. Expertly shepherded, their packets of sheep flowed around the course for the second-lowest drive score of the day. They cemented their run with a clean shed and pen - the only combination to do so all day, and though Mr Evans's efforts were rewarded, that wide outrun proved too costly and they were left five points adrift.
Although consistent throughout, the yearling Welsh Mountain ewes proved tough and needed a dog with push, favoured one with quiet power which tested most dogs which were cunning in their responses. Too much power and they split, too little and they grazed. If the dog lost concentration and took the pressure off, they were quick to highlight it, so both dog and handler needed to be alert to get the best from them.
The competition is host to a number of events within it, alongside the singles competition, there is the Brace Championship, the Young Handlers and the Driving competitions.
The Brace competition takes place over the first two days of the three-day festival. Held during the judges' lunch breaks, the trial sees four competitors compete each day, one from each nation. A test of training, skill, and ability, this competition is not for the faint-hearted.
It was Scotland's braveheart, Seamus Campbell, who threw down the gauntlet after a good run on day one, securing pole position. On a course that will be renowned for its outruns, he nailed them with both dogs, the seven-year-old Queen and the rising five-year-old Shadwell Ceit, and a super finish sealed the deal and saw Mr Campbell crowned Champion.
Having caught all obstacles, a small blip at the first drive gate was expensive, but a good finish saw him sweep into the lead.
But with a deceptively difficult course to navigate, the pressure was on for the others to catch Mr Campbell.
James McCloskey partnered with Dollar and Oak Bruce, which had a fabulous finish, but their costly outruns saw them take second place for Ireland.
The International Young Handler Competition sees a young handler from each nation compete over a shortened course in front of the crowds on the finals day. Each of the handlers did very well on the tricky course, especially with their dogs less used to the atmosphere of a bigger trial.
The strong standard made it apparent that the rural craft of sheepdog handling has a strong young following.
There has to be a winner, and Chelsea Elkin for England took the title in real style. Running Marchup Jan, a super bitch which was quick to respond. Miss Elkin kept her cool to competently handle her dog and show the crowd that England has a new girl on the block to keep their eyes on.
READ NOW: FG 180: Renowned sheepdog trialler's career spans 40 years in the industry
The driving competition was won by Dean McAuley with Joe. In it, the pair were to take a flock of 50 ewes, gather them, turn them around the post and drive them straight up the course to a point in the distance. Joe managed this with style and they took home the J.B. Bagshaw trophy for Ireland.
The Welsh triallists met the hopes of their Nation head on, and once again lifted the Stirling Team shield. This was awarded to the team with the most points overall. The prestigious award is nearly 100 years old, and was received by Welsh President Glyn Jones on behalf of the country for the fourth consecutive year.
ISDS CEO Isabelle Branch was keen to acknowledge the trial atmosphere provided by the local committee and all triallists for their standard of runs and a nod to the Young Handlers' performance.
RESULTS.
INTERNATIONAL,
Brace, (Judges, Llyr Evans, Wales; Eamonn McAuley, Ireland; Angie Blackmore, England; Jock McMillan, Scotland)
(8 ran) 1, S. Campbell (Scotland) Queen and Shadwell Ceit, 409 of 560; 2, J. McCloskey (Ireland) Dollar and Oak Bruce, 339.
Qualifying Trial, (Judges, Medwyn Evans, Wales; Simon Mosse, Ireland; Bevis Jordan, England; Alistair Stewart, Scotland) (60 ran) 1, D.K. Evans (Wales) Bryn Moel Jet, 426 of 440; 2, D. McAuley (Ireland) Joe, 409; 3, A. Lyttle (Ireland) Twm, 397 OLF; 4, A. Davies (Wales) Cynfal Gwen, 397; 5, D.K. Evans (Wales) Kemi Jack, 388; 6, J.P. McGee (Ireland) Airgid Gold, 387; 7, D. Jenkins (Wales) Clwyd Bob, 384; 8, A. Owen (Wales) Groesfaen Moss, 378; 9, D. Jenkins (Wales) Jock, 373 OLF; 10, W. Welsh (Scotland) Heyshaw Fletch, 373; 11, C. Toner (Scotland) Niro Mace, 365; 12, B. Smith (England) Roy, 364; 13, D. McAuley (Ireland) Jack, 362; 14; P. Og Morgan (Ireland) Eve, 362; 15, C. Toner (Scotland) Nap, 361.
Team Shield, top 12 placings, Wales 4350.
Farmers Trophy, D.K. Evans, Bryn Moel Jet.
Shepherds Trophy, D. McAuley, Joe.
Youngest Competitor, P. Og Morgan, Eve.
Oldest Competitor, D. Scrimgeour, (England) Sweep.
Breeder of the Qualifying Trials winner, Paul Selby (Wales).
Young Handler, C. Elkin (England) Jan.
Driving, D. McAuley, Joe.
Supreme Championship, (15 ran) 1, D. Jenkins, Clwyd Bob, 611 of 680; 2, D.K. Evans, Bry Moel Jet, 606; 3, D. Jenkins, Jock, 592; 4, D. McAuley, Joe, 573; 5, B. Smith, Roy, 542; 6, C. Toner, Niro Mace, 541; 7, A. Davies, Cynfal Gwen, 537; 8, J.P. McGee, Airgid Gold, 521; 9, P. Og Morgan, Eve, 487; 10; A. Lyttle, Twm, 479; 11, A. Owen, Groesfaen Moss, 411; 12, D.K. Evans, Kemi Jack, 406; 13, W. Welsh, Heyshaw Fletch, 395; 14, D. McAuley, Jack, 373; 15, C. Toner, Nap, 333.
Tropy for the breeder of the Supreme Champion, Wyn Edwards (Wales).
Trophy for the owner of the sire of the Supreme Champion, D. Jenkins.
