By Lisa Soar

WITH a pause in the Wales sheepdog trials calendar, many eyes are already looking forward to July when the World Sheepdog Trials move to the Netherlands for the first time.

Welsh handlers are sure to be among the contenders but hopefully they won't have to contend with the sort of conditions experienced at the recent All-Wales nursery sheepdog trial final.

The autumn months had been spent honing the skills of promising young dogs in a bid for team places, but as eager handlers gathered at Blaenglowon, Talgarreg, for the North v South contest, the action was put on hold.

Fog had drawn a thick, damp veil over the course making it impossible to run the dogs. The trial had been due to start at 8am, but thanks to the weather the only competition was the race to get a cup of tea from the catering van.

Organisers announced a decision would be made at 10am.

A few minutes before the deadline the fog began to lift – revealing the course for the first time.

Despite the late start, the trial went ahead with a full course of outrun, lift, fetch, drives, shed and pen, to be completed within ten minutes.

The two teams of 15 competitors were judged by W P Lloyd Jones, of Tregaron, and Bryn Davies, of Bryneglwys.

Beyond the amphitheatre of vehicles, the land rose to the brow of the field where the pens holding the sheep stood out on the horizon. The ground sloped away from the handlers’ post on the left and a fence lined the course on that side. There was hedge boundary on the right. Dogs could be sent to gather their sheep on either side, but it was a tricky field for the youngsters, causing a few crossed outruns.

The outrun was around 400 yards and the left hand drives measured 300 yards in total.

The sheep – in-lamb Welsh ewes – were run in fours. They worked fairly evenly all day, but they could be strong and some dogs were challenged.

The fog came and went all day, putting some competitors at a disadvantage, and heavy rain added to the weather woes.

The winning run came at number five on the running order when Richard Millichap, of Port Talbot, walked onto the field with Dewi Max. Max is sired by Richard’s 2009 International Supreme champion, Dewi Tweed.

The pair had a quality run which scored 12 points. Richard sent Max on the left-hand outrun and he stopped a little short, so needed an extra whistle. They lost two points on the outrun and one on the lift.

Max worked at a steady pace around the field, losing three points on the fetch and four on the drives.

To complete their run they had good at-hand work, losing one point in the shed, and one point at the pen.

Their closest rivals were Meirion Jones, of Maesyboont, and Nan, who lost 16 points.

The light was fading fast as the last competitors were on the field, but all the runs were completed to bring the Welsh nursery trials season to a close.

Handlers from the South had dominated the competition and team captain Kevin Evans, of Libanus, was presented with the winning shield as darkness fell.

Results:

All-Wales Champion: R Millichap (Port Talbot) Dewi Max, 12;

2, M Jones (Maesybont) Nan, 16;

3, N Watkins (Llanddeusant) Groesfaen Fern, 18OLF;

4, K Evans (Libanus) Jim, 18OLF;

5, A Ll Jones (Defaidty) Jan, 18;

6, B Williams (Ysgeifiog) Elwy Lad, 22.