Tom O'Sullivan's Tess wins International Sheepdog trials

Scottish judge of the singles class, Willie Welsh, said: “We knew when we saw the run, it would take a bit of beating. The bitch was tidy and she did a good job.”

The trial was held on a flat, green field with a fence on the left boundary. In the supreme, dogs ran out to the left for their first packet and brought them over a bridge across a ditch. As the ewes came off the bridge, some came straight in the fetch, but some took to the side and came down the side of the fence which was not the line that was wanted.

The second outrun, to the right, was on flat, open ground and neither that nor the drive held any bogies. The Welsh, Tregaron-type ewes behaved well on the course, were generally good to shed and did not fear the pen.

Tess worked tremendously outbye, her first outrun was touched a little, but she joined up her two packets with most of the possible points banked safely in her account. Her drive went well, with minor wavers of the line, but a great shed and pen set the seal on a win for Ireland, with 626/680 points awarded from four judges.

Fellow Irish team member, Peter Morgan, whistled repeatedly to his Mossee on the first outrun before the penny dropped and Mossee responded appropriately. The line of his fetch wavered, but he looked back and lifted his second packet flawlessly and this fetch was good. The drive went very well and although the shed was not as tidy as it might have been, a clean pen completed the work for second place with 583pts.

ISDS Patron HRH The Princess Royal was among the visitors to the International. PICTURE Lisa Soar

Scotland made its mark when George Gardener’s Meg ran, as second dog of the day and set a standard which she held until, four dogs later, Tess put Meg into second place, before Mossee claimed second to push Meg into third.

Meg ran out and lifted nicely and had a good fetch. Her look back went well and another good fetch followed and though there was a slight waver on the drive, it was not a serious fault.

All the good work was put into jeopardy at the shed, when George and Meg removed the 15th of 20 sheep, and drove her from the ring, the five collared sheep left the ring to rejoin with her. George managed to return the six to the ring before they regrouped, then Meg removed the plain ewe and went on to pen the five faultlessly, helping to salvage the work at hand.

Good work already achieved gave the run the basis for its eventual third place out of fifteen runs, with 571pts.

Mr Welsh added: “It was a good trial to watch for the spectators and everyone was pleased with what they were seeing. For the handlers, the sheep were good and everybody got a chance. There were some decent dogs on show.”

Scottish judge of the brace class, Willie Tod, commended the high standard of the brace work: “There were four brace runs that on any other day could have won the trial.”

International brace champion Ricky Hutchinson with Denwyn Moya and Jonah Picture: Lisa Soar

Ricky Hutchinson’s Denwyn Moya got off to a faultless start, although Jonah set out a little wide from Ricky’s feet and was a little wide at the top, which impacted slightly on his lift. Despite that, the pair made a very good fetch, Ricky had to give Jonah commands on the drive, but they took their sheep round the course and through their gates.

The shed and first pen were perfect, and left in Moya’s charge, while Jonah penned the second packet after a little milling at the mouth of the pen and the trio took more silverware home to Littledale with 497/560pts.

Reserve brace champion Elinore Nilsson of Scotland with Frej and Midderry Kid Picture: Lisa Soar

Elinore Nilssen’s Frej needed commands of encouragement to reach her sheep, but was still a little short, which affected her lift. Midderry Kid ran out square from Elinore’s feet, but got on line, although they were a little out of sync making contact at the lift. Once the pair had the sheep in their charge, they worked well together.

The drive wavered a little but the sheep flowed smoothly and although the line of the cross drive was slightly low, the dogs put the sheep through the gate. The shed was excellent and the first lot were penned after an attempted breakaway was stopped. A clean second pen completed the run in second on 484pts.

Scottish young handler Tyler McKinlay and Heatherstane King Picture Lisa Soar

LEADINGawards:

Supreme (Judges: D Kennard, England; C McGarry, Ireland; W Welsh, Scotland; H Jones, Wales) –15 ran. ('Judges' are points awarded by 4 judges, 'Merit' is aggregate of four judges’ placings 1-15)

1, T O’Sullivan’s North Hill Tess, Ireland, Judges 626/680, Merit 60; 2, P Morgan’s Mossee, Ireland, 583, 56; 3, GC Gardener’s Meg, Scotland, 571, 52; 4, J Scrivin’s Treflys Taff, England, 535, 45; 5, DM Howells’ Nip, Wales, 536, 44.5; 6, DK Evans’ Preseli Ci, Wales, 525, 39; 7, A Lyttle’s Twm, Ireland, 523, 38; 8, D Jenkins’ Jock, Wales, 511, 33.5; 9, DM Howells’ Roy, Wales, 495, 28; 10, B Marley’s Mot, Ireland, 465, 24.

Qualifying: Four teams of 15 ran:

1, RFM Ellis’ Tod, Wales, 412/440; 2, A Lyttle’s Twm, Ireland, 400; 3, B Marley’s Mot, Ireland, 392; 4, J Scrivin’s Treflys Taff, Eng, 391; 5, T O’Sullivan’s North Hill Tess, Ireland, 390; 6, DM Howells’ Roy, Wales, 385; 7, GB Jones’ Max, Wales, 385; 8, BJ Smith’s Lass, Scotland, 384; 9, D Jenkins’ Jock, Wales, 383; 10, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Scotland, 377.

Brace (Judges: R Smith, England; T Lambe, Ireland; W Tod, Scotland; I Thomas, Wales)

1, RJ Hutchinson’s Denwyn Moya and Jonah, England, 497/560; 2, E Nilsson’s Frej and Midderry Kid, Scotland, 484; 3, DK Evans’ Derwen Doug and Knockmaa Bec, Wales, 476; 4, F McCullough’s Cap and Spot, Ireland, 468.

Young handlers – 1, P Morgan jnr's Tip, Ireland; 2, TF Simpson’s Gillieglen Mist, England; 3, ET Jarman’s Ken, Wales; 4, T McInlay’s Heatherstane King, Scotland.

Stirling Team Shield (top 12 dogs) – Ireland.

Driving championship – P Morgan’s Mossee.