Every dog has its day as annual sheep trials begin in Peak District
CROWDS FLOCK TO THREE-DAY COMPETITION
IT IS the oldest competition of its kind in the country. Dogs have been rounding up sheep at Longshaw, near Hathersage in the Peak District, since the end of the 19th century – but the spectators could not hear anything until 1936, when they got a microphone.
The original prize fund is said to have totalled just £19.
This year’s annual sheepdog trials got under way yesterday – the start of a three-day competition that has been uninterrupted ever since, save for the two world wars.
The tournament attracts thousands of spectators, many from Sheffield, and raises significant amounts for charity.
Competitors from television’s One Man and his
Dog took part in yesterday’s open classes and will be back out today.
Tomorrow afternoon will see the “double gather” championship, for the eight top-scoring dogs from the previous two days – with the winner’s owner awarded a silver teapot.
In this, dogs are required to fetch three sheep before being given the command to “look back” and fetch a second lot.
Yesterday afternoon’s highlight was a parade of local hound packs, mounted and on foot, and tomorrow morning will see a demonstration of dog obedience and agility, as well as a six-mile fell race.
The Longshaw event is believed to have originated after a bet between the Duke of Rutland’s head keeper and head shepherd over who could shoot the most pigeons.
The shepherd won but he had no gun licence, and fearful that the keeper would turn him in, suggested a sheeprounding competition instead, with the winner receiving a sheep.
With the Duke’s support, the trials became a fixture in the country calendar.
Ladies were allowed to enter the trials as competitors in 1927, but the innovation was not repeated the following year, and was replaced by a sheepshearing competition.
With the Duke’s support, the trials became a fixture in the country calendar.