SHEEP & DOGS

Or to be more specific shepherds and sheep dogs and trials to see who is the best on the day. Our annual Islwyn event, as usual saw a good turn out of dogs and their owners despite the cloudy skies, but we were lucky in that for most of the day the weather behaved. Cool and overcast but in some ways better that than hot and dry. The trials started at 08.00 this morning and were still running when we had to leave at seven this evening with about ten left to run. It's been a long day but an interesting one and I loved seeing all the familiar faces and some new ones too. The whole event is run in order to raise money, for good causes, mostly hospice related. In the past money has been raised for Macmillan Nurses and this year a cheque of £1,000 was presented to Hospice of The Valleys. Much work goes on behind the scenes ... organising the event, selling raffle tickets and thanks to donations for the auction on the day and those who make, bake & cook for participants and onlookers alike, but it all goes to make an annual day out a good event to attend and today the rain, mostly stayed away ensuring us a fairly decent, but cloudy day.

Individual characters stand by and discuss all sorts of things, from the current weather to the chances of those competing, and also reminiscing about breeds of sheep and dogs in the years gone by. Old friends reminisce about the past and ponder the future of farming. Meanwhile dogs patiently await their turn in the field ...

and what of the sheep you may ask, I went up to the release area to have a look at them, all yearlings and a fairly mixed bunch of Welsh, Cheviot and with some signs of Texel but placid enough in the holding pens.

The red daubs mark them as yearlings but rain and rubbing close together had produced some interesting colour mixes! Released four at a time, the handlers from their starting point down the field could not see the pick up point (Nor could the judge) The dogs were meant to come in from behind at twelve-o-clock, though not all succeeded. Then on my return to the line, I watched from behind as the whole process started. A run out up-field to the pick up and then down through the middle gate. Left gate - right gate - split two and two and then the shed into the pen ... not always that easy ... on this occasion, the four ewes were not co-operating and the dog wasn't quick enough to react.

But, it was great to see young & old alike (both humans and dogs). An 82 year old shepherd got a great score. There were several female shepherds who scored well and a chance for young and inexperienced dogs  and handlers alike to have a go at the course. 62 entries in all. There were still competing when we left. And here's a sign on one of the many vehicles along the row, most holding three sometimes four dogs awaiting their turn.