Llangadog sheepdog trial report…

This year’s Llangadog sheepdog trial once again proved a test for many dogs with its challenging course.

Third to run on the day was Nigel Watkins with Lad who lost 13 points. He had an impressive run with good lines. Some competitors were heard to say it wouldn’t be beaten all day, but they were proved wrong by Pembrokeshire’s John Rees and Floss.

Judged by Rob Ellis the trial kicked off earlier than scheduled at 7am – the field was already full of vehicles and the long queue for entries stretched away from the secretary’s trailer.

The course is run in two fields with the fence removed. The drives and at-hand work are on the flat section of the lower field and the outrun extends to the top of a steep bank.

Many of the dogs needed to be commanded on the outrun, regardless of which side they were sent. For the less experienced dogs the tree line on the left and the old fence line threw some of them in. They seemed to think they were already at the end of the field and didn’t look to run up the hill.

As trial organiser Gerald Lewis, otherwise known as Gerry The Player of YouTube fame, said: “It’s not really a course for novice dogs.”

John Rees lost 11 points followed by Nigel Watkins’ second run with his bitch Floss on 12 points. Kevin Evans’ young dog Jim pipped Nigel’s Lad to third place on OLF with 13 points.

Taking first place in the novice was Dafydd Jones and Lyn, down 15 points.

The sheep worked well in general, but gradually got heavier as the day progressed.

There were plenty of helpers throughout the day - in the trailer, at the top of the field and taking the sheep off - to ensure a well organised event that saw around 90 dogs go to the post.

To view the photos from Llangadog click here.

For the full results click here.