Richard Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip led the way at the first two nursery trials of Shetland’s season. Well handled Shetland gimmers running on a flat course contributed to two high scoring and fairly tightly packed prize lists, although two year old Skip managed to finish a clear step ahead of the field at both. The gimmers could be sparky under pressure, but given time and space behaved well, and although they were not keen to be penned, most dogs managed to get them in.
At Yell, Skip (C Robertson’s Viking Kim, M Robertson’s Dun Chailleann Clay) ran out and lifted her gimmers flawlessly, navigated the course well and penned without much trouble. A clean shed completed her first win of the day.
Skip stopped slightly short on her outrun for the Fetlar trial, but managed to lift cleanly and worked well on the fetch and drive. A clean pen and a good shed set the seal on Skip’s second win of her short career.
Rain overhead and water underfoot failed to dampen spirits at a successful fund raising trial at Kippen.
Jacob ewes generally ran well, but if not making a tight turn round the post, a puddle lying nearby could send them wide to avoid it, spoiling the start of the drive. Dogs unused to rough hill work could be distracted by rashes – topped though they were – and the outrun, shortened to avoid another puddle, led some dogs to overshoot their sheep. Handlers found the line of the cross drive hard to judge.
Neil Campbell’s Moss (Ll Harries’ Preseli Jock, R Millichap’s Del) ran out lifted and fetched nicely, but his turn round Neil’s feet was a little wide. He worked well on the drive and a good pen and shed completed the winning run.
Neil Mcvicar’s Mark (JP McGee’s Glencregg Silver, IM Brownlie’s Lia) too, ran out well, untroubled by the rashes, his fetch went well with just minor wavers, and he turned his sheep neatly round the post and avoided the puddle. His drive was good, but for some wavering on the cross drive and very good close work finished the run in second place.
Again, Neil Campbell’s Gwen (N Campbell’s Gus, D Kinloch’s Gwen) started out well; her lines wavered a little on the course, but for the notorious puddle putting her off course for the start of the first leg. Once on track she worked well and finished with good work at hand and third place.
More Sheepdog Trials
- John Paterson's Scalpsie Roy rises above the competition at Manor sheepdog trial
- Neil Mcvicar's Mark takes the top spot in two consecutive trials at Corriegarth
Leading awards
Kippen (Judge: K Wood, Blairlogie). Open – 54 ran – 1, N Campbell’s Moss, Kinross, 96; 2,N Mcvicar’s Mark, Benmore, 94; 3, N Campbell’s Gwen, Kinross, 93; 4, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 91; 5, I Lockhart’s Roy, Carsphairn, 90; 6, P Simpson’s Cap, Kirremuir, 89. Local – 1, K Dickson’s Llwynsarn Skye, Fintry, 88;2, K Dickson’s Mirk, Fintry, 83; 3, J L’Etang’s Mac, Slamannan,70.
Yell, Shetland (Judge: J Thomason, Fetlar). Nursery – 14 ran - 1, R Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip, West Burrafirth, 93; 2, J Ramsay’s Pen, Ollaberry, 89; 3, AWP Hughson’s Spot, Brunt Hamarsland, 88; 4, I Murray’s Nortrow Ross, North Roe, 79 outbye; 5, S Fraser’s Spot, Cullswick, 79; 6, Y Mouat’s Scott, Yell, 77; 7, S Fraser’s Nap, Cullswick, 69; 8, H Davidson’s Duke, West Quarff, 66;9, J Nicolson’s Lou, Scalloway, 65; 10, C Williamson’s Drift, Ollaberry, 61.
Fetlar, Shetland (Judge: J Thomason, Fetlar). Nursery – 14 ran – 1, R Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip, West Burrafirth, 92; 2, R Colclough’s Lark, Westsandwick, 90 outbye; 3, J Ramsay’s Pen, Ollaberry,90; 4, C Williamson’s Drift, Ollaberry, 89 outbye; 5, AWP Hughson’s Spot, Brunt Hamarsland, 89; 6, W Morrison’s Brian, Yell, 86 outbye; 7, S Fraser’s Spot, Cullswick, 86; 8, I Murray’s Nortrow Ross, North Roe, 77; 9, S Fraser’s Nap, Cullswick, 74;10, L Hunter’s Jan, Scatsa, 72.
Northumberland League
Low Struthers (Judge: K Preston, Elsdon) .Nursery – 15 ran –1, M Davidson’s Poppy, Lilburn, 89; 2, M Davidson’s Pepper, Lilburn, 88; 3, D Henderson’s Roy, Allendale, 82; 4, J Tulloch’s Joe, Wark, 72; 5, D Henderson’s Burndale Donnie, Allendale, 70; 6, T Iley’s Zac, Longframlington, 64. Novice – 1, F Sheehan’s Tess, Hexham, 52.
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