Sheepdog trials: Brendon Smith’s Viking Stig wins at Yell

Shetland cross Cheviot ewes proved sticky to shift over rough and undulating ground on a very wet day and only two dogs completed the course. The fetch tested the youngsters and it took a strong dog to bring the sheep in.

Stig (A McCulloch’s Sam, B Smith’s Lass) ran out clean to his sheep and lifted well. He made a good job of his fetch and an excellent drive. A clean pen and a very good shed secured his 12-point lead.

Blackface gimmers ran well on the flat course at Ulzieside and penned very well.

Fraser Shennan’s Jim (DK Evans’ Spot, D Jones’ Gwen) ran out on a good line, lifted his sheep in a controlled manner and fetched them on a very good line. His drive went very well, until he missed the cross drive gate and slipped by on the inside. A clean chute followed and a good shed completed the run in first place with a long lead over the field.

Duncan Robertson’s Taff (EA McAuley’s Roy, SM Price’s Meg) ran out a little tight on to his sheep, but lifted cleanly. His fetch went well until he struggled to turn them round the post, making a hole in the work. Once on the drive, Taff worked very well, and a good chute and shed put the run in to second place.

Flighty swale cross ewes tested the young dogs at Evanton and a hollow in the middle of the course tended to draw the dogs in. Spells of mist interrupted the trial throughout the day and poor visibility repeatedly halted the running.

Mark MacQueen blew Barcroft Brian out to find his sheep and he made a decent fetch. His drive went well although he missed his cross drive gate. Brian (A Olsson’s Midderry Frank, S Holt’s Foinavon Ava) had a struggle to pen his sheep, but once accomplished he was one of ony three dogs to complete that task.

Ian Sutherland’s Benji (RJ Hutchinson’s Jonah, C Taylor’s Redgate Midge) too cut in on his outrun, but again responded to the whistle. Despite missing his fetch gate and cross drive gate, he worked on, penned after retrieving breaks and completed his shed just before time ran out. Benji earned second place on a difficult day.

Blackface gimmers ran well on a compact flat field at Tigh na Blair but tested the young dogs at the chute and shed, and some very good runs suffered in the close work.

Alastair MacKenzie’s Kim ran out lifted cleanly, had minor waver of line on fetch and drive, but got her gates and had a very good chute followed by a good shed to give her first place.

Ellie Nilsson’s Ruh worked very steadily outbye and on the course, with only very minor faults at each element and achieved a good chute. A difficult shed detracted from the good work and made Ruh the runner-up.

Leading Awards

Yell, Shetland (Judge: J Thomason, Fetlar). Nursery –12 ran - 1, B Smith’s Viking Stig, Dunrossness, 92; 2, R Farquhar’s Jess, West Burrafirth, 80; 3, R Farquhar’s Skip, West Burrafirth, 76; 4, D Murray’s Bjorg, North Roe, 68; 5, C Williamson’s Viking Dodie, Ollaberry, 64.

Tigh na Blair (Judge: A Stewart, Lockerbie). Nursery – 21 ran –1, AD MacKenzie’s Kim, Luss, 90; 2, E Nilsson’s Ruh, Alyth, 88; 3, A Wilkie’s Craig, Glenmoy, 83; 4, S Martin’s Daisy, Cashlie, 83; 5, E Nilsson’s Cora, Alyth, 82; 6, N Campbell’s Mac, Kinross, 79; 7, M Gallagher’s Moss, Alyth, 68; 8, AD Carnegie’s Bec, Comrie, 67; 9, S Alexander’s Lyn, Rickarton, 65; 10, K Dickson’s Bet, Fintry, 64; Novice - K Connard’s Dot, Saline, 71.

Ulzieside (Judge: J Welsh, Beoch). Nursery – 9 ran – 1, F Shennan’s Jim, Barr, 82; 2, D Robertson’s Taff, Langholm, 72; 3, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Grace, Peebles, 61; 4, T Blacklock’s Gill, Kirkconnel, 57; 5, JA Common’s Highcliff Buzz, Lockerbie, 55; 6, D Robertson’s Lad, Langholm, 67; Pro novice - 1, T Blacklock’s Chip, Kirkconnel, 79; 2, T Blacklock’s Moss, Kirkconnel, 62; 3, T Blacklock’s Mist, Kirkconnel, 57.

Evanton (Judge: H Munro, Inverness). Nursery –14 ran –1, M MacQueen’s Barcroft Brian, Skye, 75; 2, I Sutherland’s Bob, Strathnaver, 70; 3, S Renwick’s Jen, Inverbroom, 68; 4, G Simpson’s Roy, Forgue, 66; 5, J Grant’s Gael, Dunbeath, 65; 6, D Simpson’s Ellie, Barrock, 60; 7, G Simpson’s Greiston Mick, Forgue, 58; 8, K Low’s Alba, Reay, 56; 9, D Simpson’s Sweep, Barrock, 55; 10, N Sutherland’s Benji, Strathnaver, 54; 11, G van Dyck’s Seil, Invergordon, 49.

Northumberland League

Waite (Judge: JJ Pattinson, Roman Wall). Nursery – 21 ran – 1, P Telfer’s Telf Con, Haydon Bridge, 94; 2, M Davidson’s Jill, Lilburn, 93; 3, C Balmbro’s Jim, Wooler, 89; 4, B Jordan’s Craigshield Dove, Whitfield, 88; 5, P Bristow’s Mynx, Kirkley Hall, 80; 6, N Walton’s Nell, Alston, 79; Novice - J Tulloch’s Ben, Wark, 86.