Sheepdog trials a real winner
THERE WAS a great atmosphere in Bunclody as some of the best trained dogs in the country arrived in town along with their handlers for The Irish National Sheepdog Trials at Bridge Meadow.
A total of 150 sheepdogs from all over the island, north and south, took part with focus firmly placed on being selected for the team to represent Ireland at the Home International Sheepdog Trials which take place next month.
Each day, a total of 50 trials took place and out of each of those, the top five dogs were selected for Team Ireland. On the Sunday, the number one from each of the three days go head to head to be crowned Irish National Champion and he or she goes on to captain the Irish team.
The event saw some hot competition with all handlers starting on 110 points and gain points for each part of the cores completed correctly. At some stage during the day, the judges introduce a ‘standard’ whereby if a dog has lost so many points that there is no way it can make it to the top 5, the run ends, no matter what stage he is at.
Of the Wexford competitors Toddy Lambe from Curracloe managed to finish highest in sixth place, which was enough to earn him a place on the Irish Team for the Home Internationals in England next month. The winner, a trainer from Northern Ireland, managed to finish first and second in what was an amazing display.
Shannon Conn and ‘Harry’.
While it’s a serious business for those competing, it made for fantastic viewing for spectators of all ages as they watched these marvelous creatures do their thing. The event attracted a good crowd of enthusiast, between spectators, participants and others involved, and it served as a great boost to the local economy.