By Sine Robertson

Fresh from a lambing stint, Peter Martin’s Daisy led a tightly-packed list at Kinross with a first class run.

A one of the first and biggest trials after the lambing break, this attracts handlers and spectators from around the country keen to catch up and see how well the nation’s dogs have come through the lambing season.

The Texel cross hoggs responded well to kind treatment, but reacted against unwelcome pressure. They were not readily lifted in the morning, but were consistent thoughout the day.

Set on a good, flat field with the sheep driven from the left of the field across to the right, Daisy (D Naylor’s Straid Moss, P Martin’s Jill) ran out and lifted and fetched well, with a drive that had just minor realignments before and after the first drive gate.

A clean pen followed and, despite one awkward hogg threatening to spoil the shed, a good finish completed the run for first.

Hot on her heels, Chris Toner’s Ali (C Toner’s Graham’s Sam and Meg) started out well and when she slowed down at the end of her outrun, one command from Chris put her nicely on to her sheep. Her lift was smooth and her fetch good, with just a slight waver.

The drive went well, but like other packets, the hoggs wanted to twist around. Despite that, Ali kept them on a good line, made neat turns round Chris and through the first drive gate, but at the cross drive gate, the turn was slightly wider than ideal, though a clean pen and shed secured second place, with a packed list hot on their heels.

An outstanding run from Julie Hill's Molly at Lesmahagow Show led a double success for Julie, with Molly’s brother, Sid, running his sister up.

The rolling terrain hid the sheep at times on the outrun and metal gates glinting in the sun at the top of the field had the potential to distract and mislead the dogs. With such a testing outrun, a number of dogs needed to be redirected on the way out and some crossed the course on the long, narrow, grassy field.

The Blackface hoggs could be tricky to handle on the fetch and were not inclined to stay on line unless the dog was on to them and kept them on track.

Molly (J Hill’s Ban and Kim) ran out well and made a good job of the fetch and drive, with only minor points dropped, completing the win with a clean pen and shed.

Julie’s Sid (J Hill’s Ban and Kim) needed a whistle on his outrun, but he found his sheep, took them round the course at a balanced pace with few holes in the work and only minor points dropped over the piece to earn second.

Ian Fleming drew special praise for his work in taking on the task of letting the sheep out for competitors, single handedly, all day.

Mule gimmers running on the first shift at Dougarie, on Arran, were hard to handle, so early arriving locals faced a major challenge, but a change over to Texel crosses later in the day improved the running considerably and provided the high scoring prize list.

Stuart Davidson’s Hope (C Davidson’s Cap, T Grove’s Phil) established an early lead with an impressive run, but later on Neil McVicar’s Bill (R Hutchison’s Ricky, N McVicar’s Nicki) overtook him with a near perfect run, faulted only at the lift, and claimed first place.

* THE ISDS and NSA are keen to attract inexperienced dog owners to take part in their new sheepdogs training courses planned in Scotland – and not just those with trial aspirations.

The courses are on June 4, at Dryden, Ashkirk; and two on the same day, June 13, at Mid Derry, Kilry, Perthshire, and at Dumfries House, New Cumnock. Further information from euan@nsascotland.org

LEADINGawards:

Dougarie, Arran (Judge: B Strachan, Roybridge). Open – 41 ran – 1, N McVicar’s Bill, Benmore, 98; 2, SL Davidson’s Hope, Sandbank, 97; 3, K Donald’s Choc, Dalrymple, 94 Time; 3, C Caygill’s Luck, Whinnyliggate, 94 Time; 4, JR Welsh’s Tanhill Sam, Dalrymple, 94; 5, C Davidson’s Cap, Sandbank, 91. Confined – 10 ran – 1, M McNeish’s Pip, Sliddery; 2, L Robertson’s Jim, Machrie; 3, N McMaster’s Gail, Bennan; 4, W Stevenson’s Maid, Whiting Bay.

Kinross (Judge: WS Elliot, Yetholm). Open – 90 ran – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 96; 2, C Toner’s Ali, Drimsynie, 95; 3, T Welsh’s Don, Patna, 94 outbye; 4, IM Brownlie’s Tib, Bridge of Cally, 94; 5, I Lockhart's Bill, Carsphairn, 92 outbye; 6, S McAuley’s Flo, 92; 7, C Cropper’s Fly, Drimsynie, 91; 8, I Wilkie’s Pip, Keithhall, 90 outbye; 9, N Campbell’s Cass, Kinross, 90 outbye; 10, L Magnusson’s Liz, Mid Derry, 90. Local – 1, N Campbell’s Gus, Kinross, 83; 2, A Sim’s Bree, Powmill, 80; 3, A Sim’s Flo, Powmill, 76.

Lesmahagow (Judge: J Mitchell, Broughton). Open – 38 ran – 1, J Hill’s Molly, Heriot, 95; 2, J Hill’s, Sid, Heriot, 90; 3, T Blacklock’s Ben, Kirkconnel, 82; 4, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 81; 5, RB Henderson’s Tweed, Heriot, 79; 6, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 77;

Great Glen (Judge: I McConnell, Lamlash). Open – 50 ran – 1, J MacKillop's Straid Ben, Fort Augustus, 90; 2, J MacDiarmid’s Moss, Eynort, 84; 3, N McVicar’s Mist, Benmore,75 outbye; 4, H Munro’s Lil, Inverness,75 outbye; 5, SL Davidson’s Hope, Sandbank, 75; 6, S Campbell’s Belle, Skye, 74.

Northumberland League

Healy Mill (Judge:R MacRae, Netherwitton). Open – 40 ran – 1, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 97; 2, D Henderson’s Star, Allendale, 88 outbye; 3, R Watson’s Sally, Millom, 88; 4, A Driscoll’s Aron, Wales, 87; 5, G Owen’s Ben, Wales, 85; 6, C Smith’s Ricky, Belsay, 84.