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North Sheepdog Trials

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22 Sep North Sheepdog Trials

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North Sheepdog Trial

The inaugural SAYFC North Region Sheepdog Trial Competition was held on Saturday 18th September on Drummuir Estate, by the kind permission of the Gordon-Duff Family. A big crowd supported the 13 competitors, who had travelled from as far as Aberfeldy, Mearns and Tomintoul to the Keith area for a day of impressive dogs, glorious weather and good fun. The event was supported by the International Sheepdog Society and generously sponsored by Gilbertson and Page Ltd and Aberdeenshire Sheepdogs. The trial was expertly judged by the highly-respected and experienced Hugh Johnstone from Fyvie.

The Drummuir Estate provided Lleyn cross Texel ewes, who were strong, fit and ran well with a couple of them head-strong and would stand up to the dogs. The course had a 200 yard outrun, fetch, drive and chute on a well situated field with a gentle incline on the outrun to naturally bring the dogs in behind their sheep and could be seen in all four corners by all competitors, spectators and judge. Dogs who worked well at distance seemed to settle the sheep best, and hit the drive gates and chute, with tighter dogs unnerving the ewes more, with a few handlers missing out on achieving the chute to round off their run.

The judge, Hugh, commended all competitors for their tremendous displays of dog handling and congratulated the overall winner, Nathan Boyne of Aberfeldy Club. Nathan ran 6 year old Jess in a spectacular run, not dropping a single point on their outrun and winning with 69 points out of 90. Second place went to Alex Stephen of Mearns Club with 2 year old Meg and third was awarded to Katrina Kennedy of Aberfeldy Club with 8 year old Stan. Both Meg and Stan showed power, style and brains working their sheep and were close contenders to first place. An enjoyable day was had by all who competed or came along to watch.

Results were:

Overall –

  1. Nathan Boyne and Jess (Aberfeldy YF)
  2. Alex Stephen and Meg (Mearns YF)
  3. Katrina Kennedy and Stan (Aberfeldy YF)

North –

  1. Alex Stephen and Meg (Mearns YF)
  2. Evie Craigie and Sam (Udny YF)
  3. Ian Armstrong and Millie (Inverurie YF)