Peter Martin and Stella lead a challenging Glenlyon trial

Well behaved Cheviot gimmers ran on steep, green hill with the drive set at a distance in front of the handler. Dogs had to turn their sheep through the first drive gate quickly, otherwise they tended to go out of sight behind a knowe.

Peter gave Stella (M Davidson’s Glen and Craigshield Tig) a blow on her way out and she landed at her sheep, lifted them well and had a good fetch. Her turn out of the drive away gate was a little wide, but she got them across the second leg and pulled them through the cross drive gate, and straight on to the return. A clean pen and shed completed the winning run.

Stuart Davidson’s Mac led the way at Ardentrive, with a closely packed list hot on his heels.

Blackface hoggs were unsettled on the big, rough hill course in the morning, straying from line, breaking to one side and testing the dogs, so many runs went unfinished. Rerunning round the course, they were more agreeable and the later runs produced the prizewinners.

Mac (A McCulloch’s Sam, M Dempster’s Straid Jan) ran out a little short, but he lifted on line and fetched cleanly. His turn round Stuart’s feet was a little wide, but he worked well from there and a clean pen and shed secured first place.

Emma Gray’s whistle took Banjo (E Gray’s Jamie, O Whitley’s Bracken) to his sheep; he  lifted them flawlessly and had a good fetch. His drive started well, but on the cross drive, the hoggs wanted to split in two, but Banjo worked well to keep them united and got them through the gate. Banjo penned after retrieving a single breakaway and a clean shed completed the work for the runner up.

Sandy McCulloch’s Sam (A Lehtio’s Coel, BJ Bowen’s Pat) ran out cleanly to his sheep, lifted them faultlessly and had a decent fetch and a good drive. As Sam put the packet into the pen, one hogg turned and brought the rest with her. Sam regrouped the sheep and penned them successfully; a clean shed put the run into third place.

Chris Toner took the honours at an invitation trial at RHAS, Ingliston, with Grace and Niro Mace in first and second places, respectively.

Rough Scotch mule hoggs ran well over a compact flat course in the main arena.

Grace (C Toner’s Niro Mace, P Sloan’s Fernhill Meg) ran out and lifted cleanly, fetched her sheep to Chris with just minor wavers and had a good drive. A clean pen followed, but Chris missed potential opportunities to shed before he called Grace in to complete her winning run.

Kennel mate, Mace (R Watson’s Ace, C Toner’s Maid) ran out a little tight, which impacted on his lift, but he had a good fetch and drive; another clean pen and a good shed made Mace runner up, only a point short of Grace.

 Leading awards

Glenlyon  (Judge: C Maitland Gardner, Muthill). Open – 54 ran – 1, P Martin’s Stella, Glenlyon, 101 /110; 2, C Toner's Niro Mace Drimsynie, 95 outbye; 3, AD Carnegie’s Kim, Comrie, 95; 4, P Martin’s Holly, Glenlyon, 94; 5, M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, Alyth, 93; 6, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 91. 

Ardentraive (Judge: R Armour, Sorn). Open – 46 ran – 1, SL Davidson’s Mac, Sandbank, 92; 2, E Gray’s Banjo, Ardros, 91; 3, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 90; 4, IM Brownlie’s Murdo, Dunbar, 86; 5, C Toner's Niro Mace Drimsynie, 80; 6, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 75.

Ingliston (Judge: S McCrindle, Kilmarnock). Invitation – 6 ran – 1, C Toner's Grace, Drimsynie, 88; 2, C Toner's Niro Mace Drimsynie, 87; 3, N Campbell’s Moss, Kinross, 85; 4, H Mitchell’s Dan, Glenfarg, 81; 5, D Robertson’s Derwen Roy, Inverkip, 72 outbye; 6, WJ Welsh’s Heyshaw Fletch, Sanquhar,72.

Northumberland League

Whitfield (Judge: JJ Pattinson, Roman Wall). Open – 40 ran – 1, P Ellis’ Scott, Kendal, 87; 2, T Michelon’s Bigu, Brazil, 86; 3, M Davidson’s Jill, Lilburn, 85; 4, R Mitchison’s Belle, Belsay, 84; 5, M Elliott’s Dot, Lazonby, 83; 6, L Hansson’s Molly, Tregaron, 79.

Alston (Judge: M Metcalf, Kirkby Stephen). Open – 57 ran – 1, P Walton’s Scot, Alston, 92; 2, D Henderson’s Burndale Donnie, Allendale, 91; 3, T Iley’s Spot, Longframlington, 90; 4, A Temple’s Rita, Holmrook, 89; 5, L Hansson’s Molly, Tregaron, 86; 6, G Miller’s Pik, Penruddock, 84.