September 1, 2008: Two Silver Cups.
What a week we've had. It has rained almost non-stop but a little bit of rain and a few puddles have not deterred us from going trialling.

We started the week with a quick run in the Llanarthne Sheepdog Trial at Wernbongam Farm. If you are ever in this next of the woods in August, this trial is not to be missed. It is a superb trial put on by the Meirion 'twins' - Meirion Jones and Meirion Owen. The trial field was mostly flat with a decent sized outrun. The cross-drive was a little tricky to read, and the shedding ring proved challenging as the sheep did not always want to cooperate. The sheep were very civil when it came to penning - they had obviously been penned before and knew the drill, although, having said that, it was not a cinch. For the most part, the sheep were excellent although at times difficult to lift unless the dog took charge - and some dogs did not! At least they did not bolt off like crazed beasts, as has all too often been the case in trials of late. The trial consisted of a qualifying run, with the top 6 runs going to a double fetch final. The catering van was well-attended and the hot tea and lamb burgers superb! All of the 'essentials' were there! Yes, there was even a loo.

Angie ran early on in the day and had a good run with Meg. They managed to navigate the course successfully and they finished with a good shed and a nice, clean pen (YES, THEY PENNED!). Kelvin ran Tina first and had a good run with some nice tight turns at the gates, but timed out at the pen. Roy and Blade ran later in the day and were retired when a standard was being called. Mike had a good run with his experienced Ness, completing the course in fine style. With 93 runs on the program, the standard was set fairly early in the day so there were many retirements to make sure the double lift final was completed before darkness fell. Darkness is falling far too quickly. The run-off was a Nigel Watkins-fest as he took the top two placings ahead of Richard Millichap. Jane Drinkwater kept the flag flying for the ladies and finished a well-earned 4th. It was a great day. Not TOO many cars had to be pushed out of the mud at the end of the day. Angie and Meg won the 'Brynberllan' competition with a one point victory over Mike and Ness.

We had to work on Wednesday and Thursday but Friday saw us off to the Llansadwrn Trial - the closest trial to home that day. While it was misty and cool up at the farm, when we arrived at the trial field in the early afternoon it was positively balmy. For the first time in a long time, it was t-shirt weather and the only grumbling to be had was for not having the sensibilities to put a pair of shoes in the car. It was stinking hot in wellies! The Llansadwrn trial was well organized and we were once again treated to a wonderful trial field with a healthy sized outrun. The sheep were quite challenging with some packets wanting to stand and fight the dogs, while many others chose the flight option. They were fast and strong ewes, completely unafraid of going over a dog, jumping a hedge or running into a creek nearby. This trial was only for novice dogs - those that have not won on Open Trial. Angie ran Roy and Sioux, Kelvin ran Tina and Blade, and Mike ran Floss and Chip. Roy had the best run from our lot and managed to complete the course. He and Angie came away the winners of the Novice National and the local 15 miles radius event - Roy's first trial win (and they won the 'Brynberllan' crown as well). They are now the proud owners of two silver cups (and they are keepers!!!). Kelvin was third with Blade and Mike was 4th with Floss. Meirion Jones was 2nd with Glen, so it was a good day for all of us.

Roy and his cups.

On Saturday we went back to the Llansadwrn Trial, this time for the Open event - both National and South Wales styles. The sheep were snarlier, faster and knew exactly where the exhaust pen was located! This made for more difficult trialling conditions. If the sheep weren't bolting for the exhaust pen right from the get-go, they were running in the opposite direction to the top of a hill. If you managed to get them going in the right direction, they were inclined to pull hard to the exhaust. Often one ewe would run from the other three, and this ruined many a run. Few runs were completed in the time we were at this trial. It was very difficult trialling for those doing the South Wales style as the sheep were very touchy and often refused to even look at the lanes of the maltese cross. Angie tried the South Wales style with Meg and while she managed to get the sheep to the mouth of the maltese cross 3 times, one ewe refused to do anything but run in the opposite direction. They eventually retired but Angie was very pleased with how Meg worked; she gave it everything. The good thing about the South Wales style of trialling is that it is excellent penning practice (and given Angie's track record at penning, it is no wonder they were not successful at this).

Mike showing the requisite skills for trialling South Wales style

Angie also ran Meg in the Open National event along with Sioux and Roy, while Kelvin ran Tina and Blade. No success for any of us this day. Meg got as far as successfully completing the shed but one ewe bolted for the exhaust gate and the run was over (a handling error by Angie). Blade had a good run too but timed out at the pen when they were seconds away from completing this. Roy, Sioux and Tina were all retired at the shed when the sheep proved too tricky for us. We were not in the money this day. That's trialling for you. Top of the pile one day; bottom the next. Admittedly, we are more accustomed to being at the bottom so a bubble to the top now and then is thrilling.

On Saturday evening we were invited by Ioan Jones, Meirion Jones' son, to come and try his newly erected trials course on their 14-acre field. Off we trotted, Tina, Sioux, Roy and Bailey is tow. While Bailey spent her time hunting for mice in her new found treasure trove, we put the dogs through their paces on some very heavy sheep; the type of sheep that none of these dogs have seen! It was a good learning experience for all concerned. At one point Bailey had a rush of blood to her head and created a moment of mayhem, but nothing that a good dog in the form of Meirion's Nan couldn't cope with. She is a very good bitch (even at 11 years of age) - one we'd like to have in our kennel (but don't deserve!).

This week sees the start of the International. We were hoping to get up to it but the stars have conspired against us and it looks like the last day might be the only day we have a chance of attending. Drat! We will be trying to get to some trials early next week to get some photos. 10 days and counting down to the start of the World Trial. Can't wait. Could some of the international visitors please bring us some sunshine? Pretty please!

Nothing else to report from the Welsh hinterland. Still raining here...sigh!