August 25, 2008: Been There, Done That
A year ago I (Angie) was sitting in the hills of Scotland contemplating whether a) I had any dogs sufficiently ready to run in the nursery season in the winter, and b) was I ready (enough to get a dog and sheep around a course)! In October I went in my first real trials at Bobby Dalziel's place. Bobby has a 'little' field that is good to start the young dogs in. The use of the word 'little' makes this field sound easy. It is far from that, for while it is small, it is peppered with drains and rushes, and as such, is quite tricky. Reading lines is quite difficult but when you are just starting out, straight lines don't feature prominently in one's vocabulary. Rather, lie down, walk, come bye and away seem to just about exhaust one's mental capabilities (at a stretch). I didn't do very well...but I loved it!

Almost a year on, and last week I found myself standing at the post at the Welsh National ...wondering what on earth I was doing there. I had just seen Kevin Evans and Mirk put on a superb display of handling. And two runs after me was Aled Owen and Mac. GULP! To say I was shaking in my boots severely understates how I felt waiting for my run. The walk to the post seemed like 10 miles and done in super slow motion (like that super slo-mo camera used at the Olympics). You can't imagine how difficult it was to take the lead off my dog! I had never stood on a stand before to command a dog. Heck, I'd only ever done one full national course before and I completely messed up the shed there. I kept thinking, if I get to the shed, take 2 UNcollared sheep! The sheep seemed to take an age to arrive at the set out point. Roy saw them. Phew! Off he went on a nice outrun and up I climbed onto the stand. Don't fall off, I thought. I will spare you all the gory details, for gory they were. We did not have a good run. Trying to stop knees from rattling and butterflies from gnawing your stomach, AND whistle, all at the same time, does not lead to wonderful handling. Far from it! I was quite simply horrible. Poor Roy! We did get to the shed, in a fashion. The shed seemed to have been the easiest thing and we did take two uncollared sheep. I am thankful for small mercies. The pen...oh, the pen. Terrible would sum it up. We retired with as much grace as one can muster when one is trying to dissolve into your wellies. Perhaps another 10 years in Bobby Dalziel's small field would help...maybe! I wanted to go home. While I was the first person to retire my dog that day, I was soon to learn that I was not the only one. There is no solace is others' misfortune however. The day was somewhat salvaged by watching the handling skills of the top people. Nigel Watkins and Kevin Evans were my two favourites from the first day. And, I got to take a bunch of photos. That wasn't easy as the terrain made it almost impossible to take photos from any place but the top of the stands. Well, at least I was out of the rain. The sheep were unkind to those running later in the day.

Day two started with torrential rain. It was cold, wet and miserable. By mid morning, though, the sun started to shine and a wee bit of warmth seeped into one's bones. The sheep were running well and the nerves of the first day were gone. I'd climbed up on the stand and not fallen off, and I'd made an ass of myself and hadn't died of embarrassment! Sure, I was disappointed but disappointment is fleeting. Besides, I was having a good time, I had met some wonderful people, seen some terrific handling and seen a few dogs I'd like to own. All was not lost. And today I was running Meg and nothing could be as bad as the first day (could it?).

I ran just after lunch right after Eirean Morgan and Fred. Eirean and I shared a few jokes out the back and as Eirean walked onto the field, I told him he needed to set a good example for me. Um, well, he won that day! As he came off the field, he threatened to kiss me (ostensibly for good luck!). Oh boy, if I was worried about standing on a podium, that paled in comparison to my fear of Eirean chasing me around the field wanting a kiss. I laughed at the thought of that and off Meg and I trotted to the post.

I did enjoy running Meg. We didn't have a good run either (except for a perfect outrun!) but we weren't helped by a wayward ewe who bleated all the way around the course and refused point blank to stick with the other 4 sheep. I didn't have the skills or experience to know how to bend this ewe into submission and our run was over coming into the shedding ring. Some people felt I had no chance with that ewe. I beg to differ. Still I was pleased with Meg and happy that I could go to the post and not be nervous. Perhaps next year I might do better.

Kelvin withdrew his dog, Blade, from the Welsh National this year and did not run. He did, however, go up for the final day and had a blast. The Welsh National is a fantastic event. We had a great time although we were surprised the crowds were not larger. The Welsh team is a strong one for the International. They will give the English, Irish and Scottish a run for their money again this year. If you want to see our photos from the event, click here. Don't complain if they are a bit fuzzy! We are just complete amateurs.

The drive up and back to the National was spectacular. Snowdonia (or Eryri, as it is known in Welsh) is magical. Outstanding scenery. Mountains as high as those in Scotland, wide open spaces, room to breathe. Magical terrain. The trip was well worth it, if just to stop a moment in the Snowdonia National Park. It is a place one could stay a lifetime.

Well, we're off trialling again tomorrow. Can't wait.