Sheepdog trials from Cowan, Dryden, Doon Valley and Shetland

The Cheviot cross gimmers behaved very well on the steep course, and some handlers found the shed to be the hardest part of the run, with the judge requiring the singling of the last sheep of the packet. A change to the usual format put that element before the pen.

Jude (RB Henderson’s Glen, D Wallace’s Jen) worked well outbye, but her turn round Ross was a little wide, so her sheep were not on the correct line at the start of the drive. Once Jude had them on line, the drive went well from there and a very good shed and a clean pen finished the run well out in front of the also rans.

Two similar runs led the list at Cowal, where well behaved Blackface ewes contributed to a high standard of work that set the judge the task of finding any fault to decide the winner.

Craig Davidson’s Kyle (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Phyll) worked well outbye and only slight deviations from line on the fetch and drive detracted from the work. Clean work at hand set the seal on the winning run, with Michael Gallagher’s Dalriada Arya (A Owen’s Llangwm Cap, M Gallagher’s Val) following the same pattern, finishing second, a point behind Kyle.

The Blackface gimmers at Doon Valley called for careful handling at the pen, but behaved reasonably well on the course, set over rough ground on a steep brae face. Johana Johansson’s Everon Ztill responded to a whistle on the outrun, and although the line of fetch was not perfect, the drive went well with good turns. Ztill walked the sheep into the pen with no resistance and a successful shed completed the winning run.

LEADING awards

Dryden (Judge:K Anderson, Canonbie). Open – 45 ran – 1, R Henderson’s Jude, Crawford, 97; 2, J Johansson’s Everon Ztill, Sweden, 91; 3, JA Common's Groesfaen Mac, Lockerbie, 90 Outbye; 4, JA Common's Elwy Rodger, Lockerbie, 90; 5, C Caerts’ Glen, Belgium, 89; 6, M Arres’ Doug, Ashkirk, 88.

Cowal (Judge: B Mundell, Moffat). Open – 65 ran – 1, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 95; 2, M Gallagher’s Dalriada Arya, Alyth, 94; 3, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 93; 4, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 92; 5, E Nilsson’s Tweeddale Fergie, Balintore, 91 Outbye; 6, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Balintore, 91 outbye; 7, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 91 Outbye; 8, N Gillon’s Glen, Dailly, 91. Local – 1, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 95; 2, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 93; 3, C Toner’s Niro Tammi, Drimsynie, 87; 4, C Toner’s Niro Mace, Drimsynie, 85 outbye; 5, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 85; 6, C Davidson’s Fuzz, Sandbank, 82.

Doon Valley (Judge: A Wilkie, Glenmoy). Open – 70 ran – 1, J Johansson’s Everon Ztill, Sweden, 92; 2, E Nilsson’s Tweeddale Fergie, Balintore, 90 outbye; 3, B Welsh’s Bob, Moniaive, 90; 4, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 89 outbye; 5, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 89; 6, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 86; 7, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 85; 8, A Stewart’s Maid, Lockerbie, 84. Confined – 1, B Welsh’s Bob, Moniaive, 90; 2, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 89 outbye; 3, J Thomson’s Northtyne Spear, Carsphairn, 77.

Dunrossness, Shetland (Judge: S McCrindle, Stranraer). Open – 31 ran – 1, AWP Hughson’s Nortrow Lol, Girlsta, 85 /100; 2, J Ramsay’s Spot, Ollaberry, 84; 3, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 81; 4, J Ramsay’s Drift, Ollaberry, 80; 5, D Murray’s Jill, North Roe, 77; 6, J Ogston’s Jai, Killin, 75. Championship – 1, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 92 /110; 2, J Ramsay’s Spot, Ollaberry, 74; 3, D Murray’s Jill, North Roe, 72. Limit – 14 ran – 1, R Colclough’s Dot, Westsandwick, 51 /60; 2, D Murray’s Meg, North Roe, 47; 3, C Williamson’s Joe, Ollaberry, 43; 4, AWP Hughson’s Hamish, Girlsta,33; 5, J Priest’s Jill, Raewick, 31.