May 11

South West Report May 2011

The Season is underway and the three Clubs of the South West have packed programmes. But first the results of the Nurseries, ably organised by the dynamic duo of Julie Tucker and Lesley Lock. Grateful thanks are once again given to these ladies who are dedicated to the advancement of the young dog. And thanks are also given to the dedicated team who in all winds and weather set up courses at the various Venues. Thanks are also in order to the hosts of these Trials. Julie also arranged some Training days for D&E members.

Nursery results

Having endured a winter of difficult weather where a few Trials had to be postponed or cancelled it is with great pleasure to announce that –

The overall Winner in the Driving with Bess and in the Maltese Cross with Sweep was Jed Watson
Steffi Quick, on aggregate, was the top lady handler with Ty in both Driving and Maltese Cross and the Young Handler competition was won by Matt Carter but Mark Hopper was only 2 points behind him.
Congratulations to all these people, especially Steffi as it was her first full season.

Devon & Exmoor Sheepdog Society

Trials

In his Chairman’s welcome to the new season, Bob Watson welcomed new members and wished all competitors good packets of sheep and the luck to take advantage of those good ones and to remember whether or not you have a good run so long as your dog works well that all you can ask for.

It has been decided that this year’s Annual Dinner (only) will be held at Betty Cottles on 21st October. More details later.

Some new Rules for the Club –

A Novice or new handler is one who starts the season not having won prizes previously except in Nursery trials shall be a novice/new handler irrespective of what they may win during 2011 season.

The Running Order – there will be a running order for the first 8 places and this will be strictly kept. You may miss a run if you are late or have 3 or more dogs to run.

Additional Items
Sweatshirts and tops – Shirley Greenaway will take orders for these with the Society logo on them. Members are asked to contact Shirley on 01647 221454 or shirlthegimp@btinternet.com

Bring and Buy Stall – Hilary Jones is hoping to provide a stall at most Trials this season raising money for the Society for the purpose of. Donated goods as well as homemade goods with profit to the Club are welcomed. A diversity of items for sale would be encouraged.

Club Schedules are now available but please consult the D&E and the ISDS websites for all Society Trials

Independent Trials for those without t’internet.
Saturday 4thJune Sanduck Cross, Newton Abbot.
Sec Julie Tucker: 01822 810276 or 07970 033813 Entries close 14th May
Sunday 15th June Sanduck Charity Trial (as above)
Sec: Ian MacKay 01647 440287 Entries close 14th May
Saturday 11th June Princetown Trial, Long Plantation, Two Bridges signed form Princetown
Sec. Lesley Lock: 01752 269629 or 077799 491279 Entries on field before 11.00am
Sunday 12th June Mortehoe Trial, Borough Farm, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe.
Sec. David Kennard, 01271 870056 Entries on field
Saturday 25th June D&E Trial Raleghs Cross - signed from B3190
Sec. Tracey Peat 07921 953777 Entries close 11thJune
Saturday 2nd July D&E Brendon Hills near Wimbleball Reservoir signed form B3190
Sec. Tracey Peat 07921 953777 Entries close 18th June
Sunday 3rd July Kentisbury Down near Blackmoor Gate
Sec. Chris Dapling 01271 882274 or 07974 112089 Entries on field.

Training Days.

These were held on 3rd April at Bearwood Farm, Greenacre, Brentor and on 16th April at Hilary Jones Training field near Chagford. Both days were well received by those who attended. Bob Watson and Bill Evans were Trainers at the first Day and took turns of 20 minutes each. Bill also helped Julie in the planning of the day. About ten people took part.

The second day at Hilary Jones’ Training field near Chagford had a slightly different format with Walt Passmore in the morning and Jenny Holdsworth in the afternoon. Again each session was 20 minutes.

For both days people decided what they wanted to look at in their own performance, but for everyone else to be involved as well - therefore feedback from each trainee session was given to the group.

It was very cold in the morning of the 3rd April and it wasn’t just cold, Bill says he went through two coats with the hailstones and rain and all. The heaviest downpours were when Bill was out on the field!

Conversely the 16th April Training Day was held in wonderful weather and as at the first day, food was included and the ladies surpassed themselves in the cookery department.

There were some good discussions as all the ‘debriefs’ which were done with everyone as a group. The Trainers wanted everyone to enjoy their day, to get as much as they could out of it and to go home with something to work on and to think about.

The Training Days are bringing people together in a manner that does not happen when everyone is in competition.

The third Training Day will be held at Bearwood Farm, Brentor on 8th May.

Somerset Training and Trialling Club

AGM

Held on April 19th at Charlton Adam. John Whiteley re-elected Chair with Anne Williams as Vice Chair the Committee as before but with the addition of Andy Melrose. Past Chair Ron Fouracres was made an Honourary member.

In his Report, John Whiteley said that when he took over the Chair he wanted to continue to upgrade the performance of the participating dogs and handlers, ensure that Trials started on time and were conducted in a businesslike manner and to make sure that finances were healthy. All agreed that these aims had been achieved. A lively evening followed with discussions about holding one or two Nursery Trials next winter.

The Lydthorpe Trial will be held on Saturday 6th August with a Club Trial the day after. Following the first Committee meeting there will be a programme of future Trials. All will be reported in the comprehensive quarterly newsletter available to members. Secretary/Treasurer Alex Whitely reported an increase of membership to over 70 people and a healthy bank balance. Your ‘subs’ are due as of the 19th April.

Ron’s Training Days

Ex-Chair Ron Fouracres held one of his ‘Starter’ Days on 10th April where several total learners enjoyed some fine weather under the Tor at Glastonbury. Taking things very slowly, participants were taken around a small trial course or used a pen containing a few sheep to ascertain their dog’s ability. As with all the Trainers, Ron is endlessly patient with beginners.

Club Training Days

Three Training days have been held this year February 27th, March 27th and 17th April and attendance, each session, has been between 14 – 18 handlers in a ‘roll on, roll off’ structure. Those people who had more than one dog waited until everyone had had their run before embarking on a second. At least two trainers were in attendance on each day and handlers could elect how they wished to proceed. Feedback was given to those in the group that were waiting. Helping John Whiteley have been Graham Glanville, Gordon Martin and Bill Evans. Andy Melrose has been chief ’letter out of sheep’.

Cornwall Sheepdog Society

In his introduction to the new Cornwall Sheepdog Society Schedule for 2011, President John Carter points out that all spectators are welcome and that farmers might note that always there are puppies and trained dogs for sale. He adds that through no-ones fault Trials are sometimes cancelled and that not always can visitors be informed – always advisable to check with the secretary before a trial.

The AGM is being held on 27th April and Training days will be arranged at this time.

Rules similar to ISDS will apply.
Entries are limited to two dogs per handler per class although more may be permitted if time allows.
If handlers are wishing to run three dogs in a trial they should arrive before 12noon.
Refreshments ® are available where shown

The late May Bank Holiday Trial still awaits a venue but Norman Delgarno will have information a bit nearer the time. Tel. 01872 530571
Tuesday 14th June – National Sheep Associaiton Trial at Stantor Barton, Marldon near Paignton. ®
Entries close 1st June and Sec. is Norman Delgarno
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June Roughtor Trial near Camelford ®
Entries close 1st June and sec. is Trevor Hopper 01872 501886
Sunday 26th June – Tremeer Trial Carruan, Polzeath ®
Entries on field Sec. Mrs C Parnell 01208 880990

Pups for Sale
Andy Melrose’s bitch Jan is due to whelp on 1st May. Jan is out of Jenny Holdsworth’s Megan (ISDS 275479) and the sire is Gordon Martin’s well known dog ‘Bob’. Contact Andy on 07941 398432 or andymelrose@live.co.uk

David Grant’s bitch Sky (Scrimgeour’s Ben and Jill) by Rob Watson’s Lad (a grandson of Aled Owen’s Roy) had 8 bitch pups and 2 dogs on April 14th. There are 4 bitches and 1 dog remaining. Contact David on 01363 877400

Alen Markovich RIP ‘Puppy’

You may remember a couple of years ago there was a profile of Croation Sheepdog Trainer Alen Marekovic. He imported the first Border Collie in Croatia – Germal Handy Lass – ISDS Lass 219089 but known to Alen’s family as ‘Puppy’. Her mother Lynn starred in the Glyn Jones video’s ‘Take Time’.

Sadly Puppy died in late March this year aged almost sixteen years. Alen remembers her for the amount he learned from her and for her versatility as on one occasion she competed in Belgium in a sheepdog trial at 0800hrs, then he drove 30 kms (about 20 miles) to compete in an international agility competition starting at 0900hrs and she was placed well in both competitions!

Currently Alen has in his ‘stable’ – Coldstream Bliss (USA working lines from Johnny Wilson’s Maid); Amy – lines back to Aled Owen’s Bob and Medwyn Evan’s Lad on one side and Puppy on the other. An imported bitch from last year is still maturing. But oddly – Alen says – he recently exported one of his Border collie pups to the UK!

And ………

Last time we mentioned shearing training and now that the season is underway we are repeating the regional phone numbers for contact: Funding is available in some regions.
Some wool handling classes are run at selected shearing courses – this is where to find out about wool presentation with no wire or bits of baler twine!

Wales:            Diana Lavers T: 01686 626811 E: dianalavers@bwmbcymru.org.uk
Southern England Alison Gould T: 01392 477944 E: bwmb@devonyfc.co..uk
North of England   Gillian Tart     T: 01274 688666 E: gilliantart@britishwool.org.uk
Scotland        Donna MacKenzie T:01877 339657
                          E: donnamackenzie@britishwool.org.uk
Northern Ireland     Gary Haslem   T: 028 944 26816
(Greenmount College)

In South Africa sheep on farms located near areas of high population are frequently housed indoors at night. In view of the amount of sheep rusting that we are currently experiencing it is almost worth considering this as an alternative to the pretty colours that are appearing in the south west.

Please note that on the new Spectator Leaflet, there is a space for you to put your local club details.

We would like to congratulate Mavis Backhouse on her recent very senior ‘0’ birthday. Mavis continues to train and compete and this year will be at Boxhill with Polly for a second time.

…..Finally -   A recent interesting thought:

“If your dog is not a Border Collie, then it is only a dog”.