The UK's SheepDog Resource
Caroline Woolley
September 09
In mentioning the English National, did any of you study the very good words that Sue Main wrote in the July/August edition? In any Trial the welfare of the sheep is paramount, followed closely with the welfare of the dogs and the comfort of the general public – for whom a trial can be an educational experience. I was interested in her comment about how the difference in methods of shepherding, bio-security concerns, fewer shepherds, quad bikes et al often result in wild and uncooperative sheep! Um, pardon the question, good people, but why would anyone want to use un-dogged sheep for a trial? Please let me know!
First of all, Big Congratulations to Jed Watson and Mirk for making the Wales Team on their first attempt. Jed has followed up his outstanding year of 2008 with this new success. As many of you know Jed is one of our West Country boys from Dartmoor but lives and works near Brecon. Well done Jed! Mirk is out of Trevor Wayborn’s Floss and by Tweed owned by Devon and Exmoor Chair, Hilary Jones. Furthermore, Mirk’s half sister Polly, owned and handled by Mavis Backhouse, this year came out of Novice driving into Open and has already accrued enough points for next year’s National. Well done Mavis and Polly!
There are some Trialling notices-
Bishopstone Trial, Salisbury, Wilts. – closing date for entries is 1st September but there may still be some late places available. Sec. Anna Hawke – 01722 718228 or email hawke@onetel.com
Cornwall’s Lanhadron Trial scheduled for 10th October is now re-scheduled to 16th and 17th October making it a 2 day event. Secretary is Trevor Hopper is 01872 501886 Those people travelling a distance might like to make it three day trialling with Simon Ashton’s Kingswear trial on the 18th – phone Simon on
07748 588160
Cornwall continues with trials at Veryan on the 17th September and the Novice Run off at Tregony on 20th with the above mentioned Lanhadron on the16th and 17th October. Cornwall’s Dinner and Prize giving is on Saturday 24th October.
Somerset will hold their Club Autumn Trial at George Faulkner’s Babcary venue during the weekend 10/11th October. Further Trialling Training days will be held at regular intervals throughout the year. Alex Whiteley is Secretary.
Saturday September 19th will see the annual Devon/Cornwall match to held at Trewinnow Farm, Davidstow – Sec. is Trevor Hopper and on Sunday 20th the D & E Devon Maltese X Championship will be held at Roderick Hayes, Woodford, Witheridge and entries to Sec. Jane Harper. The following Sunday September 27th is the D&E Novice Championship at Kenny and Wendy Watson’s Middle Merripit Farm, Postbridge - entries Jane Harper and then on Sunday October 11th the Champion of Champions will be held at a venue to be confirmed – please phone Wendy Watson 01822 880215.
D & E Dinner and Dance at The Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum Friday 30th October and the AGM Friday 27th November at the White Hart, Okehampton.
There are two trials that feature this time. One is the Ashwater Trial organised by Bill Evans –
Bill Evan’s annual Trial always attracts a good field. It is named the Ashwater Trial but is currently held at Ian Bickle’s place at Chillaton. It was made more popular this year as it had been decided that the proceeds of the Raffle should go to Mandy Jobling for her to nominate a charity of her choice. As many of you know, Mandy’s health has not been of the best for a long while. The Club decided to support her in this way as a mark of their esteem and all members present signed a Get Well card.
The weather was good, the sheep - Suffolk mules – good as always and worked well. Walt Passmore was Judge for the day. There were 35 dogs entered for the Maltese X and 40 for the Driving.
This was not a flat field and not a simple course! Dogs were sent from a high point where sheep could be seen but there was negotiation of a very steep slope dropping away and up again, before finding sheep. Part way down the slope there was an area where the dog could not see sheep for a short while. The handler also had to walk down the same steep slope to a second post from where the rest of the trial was conducted as normal – otherwise he could not see the fetch gates or any other hurdle.
It was an ideal course for the left handed outrun where the right hand outrun took in a wet area and the dog could lose sight of the sheep The guys letting out had a bit of a job making sure the sheep were let out accurately as there was a long run from the pen to the top post. Using a dog was essential. All these challenges only added to the fun of the trial and made the whole process more interesting.
Maltese X - Jed Watson and Hemp continued their winning partnership with 82 points, with Jane Harper and Scruff second (76) S Jones with Mouse third (71); Ian Bickle and Jack (70), Merril Fox and Jem (69) with Tony Griffiths and Sam (63) bringing up the sixth place.
Driving saw Jed with Gail with 90; followed by Gordon Martin and Tan on 89; Michael Derrick with Shep on 85; Jed W and Mirk (83); Jed with Rob (82) and Penny Roe with Teal on 81.
The OLF cup was won by Michael Derrick and the Novice driving by Lesley Lock with on 79
A sense of camaraderie pervaded at this trial as all were thinking of Mandy and her contribution to the club – Bill making sure that everyone was having a good time and preparing the masses of prizes for the raffle. He reckons that near on everyone went home with something!
The other Trial was John Whiteley’s Somerset Trial on 1st August which was an unqualified success. Last year was a struggle to reach 25 runners this year there were 83!
The trial field and access was good. There was plenty of space for the public but for some, a slight concern about the post being too close to the public leaving a narrow space for dogs to negotiate. Plenty of loos! New tents for the public meant they could shelter form the inevitable rain.
I think if we compared this trial layout with the suggestions that Sue Main has mentioned then all the boxes would be ticked. Unfortunately I was not at the Ashwater Trial so I am unable to make a comment.
Snacks – especially the bacon butties - were provided by members of John and Alex’s family at a reasonable cost and the snack bar was out of the weather. The booking in and compiling of results was also under cover.
About a 350 /400 yard outrun. Left hand dogs found that sheep drifted away to their left with the danger of running off top right of field and in fact one packet vanished altogether with the dog in hot pursuit. Handler had to fetch it back with her vehicle. Right hand outrun advised! Sheep in mixed groups of mules and were v. lively in the morning. More conformed packets in the afternoon. Undulating field, a couple of dips but clear run for the dog. Clear gates. MX had 40 runners and most completed. This meant that the driving did not start until well into the afternoon where another 40 were still competing at 8pm. So the Judge set a standard.
Jed Watson and Gail won the Open MX and took the Novice prize as well, Graham Glanville and Jill were second, Jed with Hemp was third and Dick Montgomery with Roy fourth.
Matt Watson and Clive were first in the Driving, Angie Blackmore with Bob, second; Dick Montgomery and Flo third; Rob Hawke and Jill, fourth; Kim Scott and Sarah were fifth and Angie Blackmore with Mist was sixth.
Judges for the day were Ron Fouracres in the morning with the Maltese X and Peter Symons, the driving.
One competitor deserves mention. This was Colin House who lives in the Midlands but whose family originated in South Somerset and Dorset. Colin has tunnel vision and is registered blind! This was a nostalgic trip to Somerset after 30 years to compete while he can still see the dog and sheep. Amazing!
On the following Day there was a Somerset Club Trial reserved for members. Incidentally, Somerset is attracting a surge in membership this year. The Trial was held on a slightly altered course from the day before and was judged by Anne Williams. Anne makes special mention of Kyle Cox who is a teenage relation of Brian and Di Clarke. Kyle has just started trialling but displays a quiet commanding approach, good rapport with his dog Glen, whom he has only worked on a trialling field once before. He also ran a second dog for the first time but still his approach had a calm air. His control of dog and sheep is impressive and will soon be giving older members a run for their money!
Managed to get to the Brendon Hills Trial – does it ever stop raining on Exmoor? There I met an infrequent visitor to the West Country, John Thomas, whom I had not met before. We had a discussion about the changing nature and status of the shepherd and the changes in the quality of the dogs used. There was a time when the shepherd was important, he had sole responsibility for the health and care of his flock and his dogs; spending the majority of time alone with his sheep, environment and his thoughts. But the old ways are almost gone. Nowadays a shepherd has to be a jack of all trades and very often sheep are seen as an ‘add-on’ – something kept as a ‘fill-in’. I know John has spoken long and hard about these changing standards which he, and many others, seen as a sad loss to the backbone of the sheep industry. I think I can agree.
On the subject of dog welfare, you might be interested to know that there is to be another couple of First Aid for Dogs classes available in two locations in the south of the country. Conducted by a veterinary professional, the course lasts for 3 hours and will cost £30.00
Saturday 12th September - Gorsley Village Hall, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 7SU
Start 1000hrs.
Sunday 13th September – Chedzoy Village Hall, Front Street, Chedzoy, Bridgwater, Somerset. TA7 8RE
Start 0930hrs.
Contact Sophie Flux on 01284 811192; 07758 739332 or website www.animalaiders.co.uk
When I was trawling through old copies of the Working Sheepdog News I came across a familiar name in an unfamiliar role. Funny stories of her joy of Border collies working her sheep and other animals on her farm. Tess Nash of Helston, Cornwall also wrote copious amounts of indignant fury in the letter columns of the Western Morning News. She wrote for years and she made a lot of sound sense on many an occasion. But sadly, her pen has come to rest. Tess passed away a few months ago and I miss her pithy tirades against all and sundry. Many others will miss her too!
News resulting from a profile about Dick Roper earlier this year in which was mentioned Dick’s considered approach to the problem of badgers and their control. At least two people have contacted our editor to learn more. Good!
Finally there is a matter on my mind that is begging to be shared. This is the question of where do you go if you want to learn the ‘fine tuning’ of flock management? Supposing you want to learn more about the theory behind the practical shepherding, what is on offer? Well, until this year you could go to Northumberland College, Kirkley Hall and do just that by joining the Advanced National Certificate Course in Sheep Management. And as part of the course, well known sheepdog handler, Tony Iley ran a sheepdog training course using ones own dog.
Unfortunately so few young people – or older ones - have attended this course that the college authorities are planning to close it down! It is the only course of its type in the country! So where does this leave the sheep industry at a time when the understanding of things legislative and electronic was never so needed. There is a comment by an ex-student of about 10 years ago who became a jobbing shepherd and therefore became part of many teams of shepherds for lambing seasons etc., who made the comment that so many of the farmers she visited were still doing things as had their fathers and fathers before them and did not question whether or not their traditional methodology could do with an update.
Fortunately the Industry has been alerted to this demise but had the college consulted the industry – by which I mean the NSA, NFU, BWMB, EBLEX and the ISDS. In fact letters of support from the CEO, Peter Morris, of the NSA and our own CEO, Norman Lorton with offers of free national advertising were turned down last May!!
Does the Northumberland College not realise that there are sheep outside the north-east? One of the major problems is that Further Education colleges with an agricultural section find it very difficult to justify the high capital input that agricultural courses require, especially as so much of their funding has been withdrawn due to the Recession that we now find ourselves.
A suggestion could be made that the captains of our Industry consider the creation of an Institute of Best Practice for both hill and lowland sheep farming somewhere in middle England. It could be thought - with no disrespect to the north east – that maybe potential students consider Northumberland to be a bit ‘out of the way’!
It is certainly a long way between Cornwall and Berwick on Tweed!
I hope something positive can be resolved.