Gert and Graylees Lismore secure top spot at Luss trial

The Blackface hoggs were touchy and could take off from the dogs or might face them and the long drive over a good, flat field tested young dogs.

Lis (D Howell’s Nip, E Gray’s Scalpsie Nessie) worked well outbye, had a good drive and although she had the common problem at the pen, making the only real hole in the work, a good shed secured first place.

Elinore Nilsson’s Roxy (L Christie’s Knock and Glenview Brea) started off in similar fashion and despite overtaking Lis with her effort at the pen, time spent on the job meant there was not enough left to complete the shed, but sound work already achieved made Roxy runner up.

A novice and beginners event at Leanach allowed novice handlers who have not been placed in an open trial to run over a small course; a post replaced the cross drive gate and no shed was included for judgement, but the chance to attempt the job was provided for any prepared to try it. Runs were ranked according to merit.

There was also an opportunity for beginners to run in a non-competitive class, where the course could be modified to suit the ability of a dog, while feedback about the run could be given and advice offered to help the humans develop their understanding of how to control dogs and sheep and to build their dogs’ skills.

The event is due to be repeated the week following the Scottish Nursery Final trial and again over the summer; places can be booked.

Leading awards

Birchburn I, Arran (Judge: N Henderson, Kilpatrick). Nursery – Seven ran – 1, M McNeish’s Kate, Sliddery, 85 outbye; 2, N McMaster’s Scalpsie Jet, Bennan, 85. Older dogs – 1, I Logan’s Chris, Pirnmill, 66.

Birchburn II, Arran (Judge: N Henderson, Kilpatrick). Nursery – Seven ran – 1, M McNeish’s Kate, Sliddery, 95; 2, M McNeish’s Gael, Sliddery, 92; 3, N McMaster’s Scalpsie Jet, Bennan, 82.

Luss (Judge: R Lewis, Killin). Nursery bounce – Two teams of 10 ran – 1, G Van Dyck’s Graylees Lismore, Aberfeldy, 82 C; 2, E Nilsson’s Roxy, Alyth, 75 C; 3, SL Davidson’s Roxy, Sandbank, 74 NA; 4, M Gallagher’s Dalriada Grace, Alyth, 72 C; 5, AD Carnegie’s Bess, Comrie, 71 C ; 6, A Kent’s Fernhill Nap, Dunoon, 69 NA; 7, P Martin’s Jean, Glenlyon, 66 C; 8, S Martin’s Floss, Cashlie, 65 C; 9, CK Paterson’s Jock, Eskecgreggan, 64 NA; 10, M Watt jnr’s Joe, Kirriemuir, 60 C; Central, 584; North Ayrshire, 430.

Leanach (Judge: I Mackay, Leanach). Novice – 1, L Williams’ Cass, Inverinate; 2, C MacPherson’s Polly, Nairn; 3, R Scott’s Dan, Bonar Bridge; 4, A Gordon’s Otis, Forgue; 5, R Scott’s Mac, Bonar Bridge; 6, D McReady’s Tess, Borders.

Teams for Scottish Nursery Final, March 7, Ballyvoulin farm, Glenfruin, G84 9EB.

Kintyre – 1, M McNeish’s Kate, Sliddery; 2, A MacCuish’s Hielan Chip, Skipness; 3, J MacLachlan’s Flo, Spean Bridge; 4, R Rennie’s Scalpsie Ice, Minard; 5, M McNally’s Pip, Invergarry; Res, N McMaster’s Scalpsie Jet, Bennan.

North Ayr – 1, SL Davidson’s Roxy, Sandbank; 2, L Gast’s Scalpsie Dino, Scalpsie; 3, C Toner’s Twig, Drimsynie; 4, C Toner’s Reba, Drimsynie; 5, SL Davidson’s Al, Sandbank; Res, E Gray’s Sully, Ardros.

South Ayr – 1, N Gillon’s Jet, Dailly; 2, S Young’s Bran, Barr; 3, I Fergie’s Cris, Straiton; 4, F Shennan’s Bruce, Barr; 5, F Shennan’s Skye, Barr; Res, W Welsh’s Lad, Dalcairney.

Wigtown – 1, G Mitchell’s Jen, New Luce; 2, J Ramsay’s Cessnock Moss, Glenluce; 3, JL McMillan’s Blue, Newton Stewart; 4, J Ramsay’s Jock, Glenluce; 5, E Craig’s, Loch, Carsphairn; Res, M McCornick’s Nell, Kirkcowan.

Dumfries and Kirkcudbright – 1, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Freddie, Dumfries; 2, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Kap, Dumfries; 3, DJ Aitken’s Tweeddale Swift, Moffat; 4, AR Mundell’s Finn, Moffat; 5, T Blacklock’s Jack, Kirkconnel; Res, W Welsh’s Dan, Dalcairney.

Borders – 1, J Robinson’s Jaybeez Drift, Coldingham; 2, M Arres’ Hemp, Ashkirk; 3, J Robinson’s Risemoor Rock, Coldingham; 4, B McSporran’s Dot, Wester Middleton; 5, A Dickman’s Ben, Oxton; Res, D Gilchrist’s Brenda, Oxton.

Lanark, Lothian, Peebles – 1, IM Brownlie’s Glen, Dunbar; 2, L Hinneken’s Lhinnek Gimli, Quothquan; 3, D Wallace’s Buzz, Blyth Bridge; 4, J Murtagh’s Moss, Dunbar; 5, I Fleming’s Nell, Douglas; Res, L Hinneken’s Viclo Sir, Quothquan.

Central – 1, M Gallagher’s Hillrunner Rex, Alyth; 2, M Gallagher’s Dalriada Grace, Alyth; 3, P Martin’s Jean, Glenlyon; 4, K Dickson’s Ruh, Fintry; 5, E Nilsson’s Roxy, Alyth; Res, AD Carnegie’s Bess, Comrie.

North – 1, G Simpson’s Deo, Forgue; 2, M Leggat’s Lass, New Pitsligo; 3, G Simpson’s Bodtegir Lil, Forgue; 4, I Matheson’s Rinn, Reay; 5, S Renwick’s Hope, Inverbroom; Res, S Renwick’s Lexie, Inverbroom.

Shetland – 1, R Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip, West Burrafirth; 2, J Ramsay’s Pen, Ollaberry; 3, B Smith’s Cruz, Dunrossness; 4, Y Mouat’s Scott, Yell; 5, J Nicolson’s Lou, Scalloway; Res, R Colclough’s Lark, Westsandwick.