A very steady run from Andy Carnegie’s Sue took the lead at Hunterston.

The Mule and Texel cross hoggs ran well all day on a flat field, giving the handlers a chance to show off their dogs to their best. They could slip the first drive gate and handlers found the cross drive hard to judge.

Netherlands-bred Sue (E Groot’s Preseli Roy, J Roos Bess) ran out to her sheep, lifted and fetched faultlessly and although her line was high on the first leg of the drive, she put the sheep though and turned them neatly. Her cross drive went well, and with another good turn and a clean pen and shed, finished the work in first place.

Neil Gillon’s Shweep (N Gillon’s Bhoy, S McCrindle’s Peg) ran out a little past his sheep, and when he lifted, he was on the heavy side and had to flank to hold them on line. Neil and Shweep worked well together to keep the packet together although they were inclined to split naturally into two pairs throughout the run.

Shweep fetched them through the gate and on to Neil and the drive started well, but with the hoggs separating on the way, the pack was fully through before they turned on to the cross drive. Shweep took them across and down to the pen and on to another clean finish, completing the run in second place – a single point behind Sue.

The Shetland hoggs at a new Girlsta venue behaved well, and spectators were pleased to see a good standard of work attained on the rising, heather hill course, although the terrain made straight lines hard to achieve.

Brendon Smith’s Lass (P Byrnes' Lad and Curragh Fan) had a smooth course, running uphill for her sheep, lifting and fetching them down to Brendon flawlessly, until one hogg broke as Lass turned them round her master. Once that situation was retrieved the drive went well, with neat turns, and although the hoggs were a little sticky at the pen, Lass secured the packet without a break. An excellent shed completed the winning run well in front of the field.

LEADING awards

Hunterston (Judge: D Wallace, Blyth Bridge). Open – 76 ran – 1, AD Carnegie’s Sue, Comrie, 96; 2, N Gillon’s Shweep (Sweep), Dailly, 95; 3, M McTeir’s Mak, Corsock, 91 Outbye; 4, JR Welsh’s Sonny, Dalrymple, 91; 5, L Hinneken’s K’eira, Quothquan, 88; 6, SL Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 87 Outbye.

Girlsta, Shetland (Judge: AJ Hughson, Brunthamarsland). Open – 25 ran – 1, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness, 95; 2, D Murray’s Sweep, North Roe, 89 Outbye; 3, J Ramsay’s Fly, Ollaberry, 89 Outbye; 4, C Mellin’s Moor Lodge Ben, Oakworth, 89; 5, W Morrison’s Meg Snr, Yell, 83; 6, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 82.