A run off was needed to separate the two top runs at Cashlie, putting Neil McVicar’s Baledmund Pete in front of Ian Fleming’s Torr.

The Cheviot gimmers ran well on the long, narrow, riverside course which was flat with a slight rise at the end. The drive was long, although most dogs managed to take their sheep round, but they were not easily penned and some good runs were endangered there.

Pete (IM Brownlie’s Boredale Gus, J Menzies’ Baledmund Jess) worked nicely outbye and had a well controlled course but the pen threatened that good work. After breaks there, Pete penned and finished his run with a good shed which put him in contention for first place, ultimately decided by the run off.

Torr (D Aitken’s Buzz, A Frame’s Jill) had a good outrun, and a decent fetch with a waver off the line. He had his sheep under full control on the first leg of the drive and although the line was a little high on the cross drive, Torr put the sheep through the gate and turned them neatly on to the return. A good pen and shed put the run on a par with Pete’s, but eventually finished in second place.

The Cheviot gimmers at Badanloch’s first open trial ran reasonably well on a rough hill park where a track encouraged them to stay on line on the fetch, but they were determined not to be penned and some dogs had to give up there.

Ian Sutherland’s Sid (I Sutherland’s Bob, W Mill’s Cassie) ran out well on the downhill sloping course and although he was a little slow to lift, he fetched his sheep straight to Ian’s feet. His turn was a little wide, and although he took the sheep on a good line to the first drive gate, the gimmers slipped by the gate. The cross drive and return to the pen went well. Approaching the pen, the gimmers broke, but Sid brought them back and worked very well to ensure they went safely into the pen; a clean shed helped him to overtake the erstwhile leader by a narrow margin and to establish a new and lasting lead.

Michael Shearer’s Tib (MC Shearer’s Jim, IM Brownlie’s Star) had set an early standard with a morning run. She ran out for her sheep on the left hand and finding they had drifted to the left, out of Michael’s sight she took them back to the post guided by Michael’s assessment of the movement of the sheep. She lifted, fetched and drove very well and despite significant trouble at the pen, eventually secured them. A good shed completed the run which finished in second place overall.

Foinaven Skye (W Smith’s Lee & Fly) (ROM) went out to the right and stopped herself in position, lifted and made a good fetch and drive. After breaking, which was now normal for the day, the sheep were penned and Skye completed her run with a good shed, matching points with Tib, but giving way on outbye work, took third place.

(Patsy /Christine, ROM means Registered On Merit – no paperwork, dog proves itself worthy in a working test)

Cashlie (Judge: S Renwick, Inverbroom) Open – 60 ran – 1, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 90 Outbye; 2, I Fleming’s Torr, Douglas, 90; 3, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 89; 4, P Martin’s Corrie (Cora), Glenlyon, 89; 5, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 89; 6, GC Gardner’s Meg, Lesmahagow, 88;

Badanloch (Judge:T McPhee, Wick) Open – 58 ran – 1, I Sutherland’s Sid, Strathnaver, 86; 2, MC Shearer’s Tib, Westfield, 85 Outbye; 3, K Keith’s Skye, Durness, 85; 4, EC MacKinnon’s Buddy, Lochcarron, 80; 5, V Shearer’s Bess, Westfield, 79; 6, H Johnstone’s Roy, Fyvie, 78; 7, S Campbell’s Belle, Skye,77; 8, S Campbell’s Queen, Skye,76; 9, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 74 Outbye; 10, K Birkett’s Lyn, Orkney, 74.