By Isle of Wight Observer
Competitors from across the country took part in the Isle of Wight sheepdog trials at Rowlands Lane, Havenstreet. Visitors arrived from Wales, Devon, Cornwall, Sussex, Kent and Cumbria with 52 dogs involved on the Saturday and 50 on Sunday
Trial organiser, Ian Wheeler of Wootton, one of only two Island competitors, said: “The weather forecast probably put people off on Saturday but we still had 500 attending with another 1,800 on Sunday, so we were really pleased with the way everything went.
“I opened the competition on Saturday with my dog, Stripe, mainly because no-one likes to go first. Those involved prefer to see how the dogs deal with the run and the way the sheep react.”
Floyd Farthing, from Wales, was the top performer taking first place on both days, claiming victory on Saturday with Sal, scoring 88 points, and again on Sunday with Nip, who scored 87 points.
The youngest competitor was 16-year-old Grace Gower and her dog, Kelsal, with the Island’s other entry being Ben Souter, of Merstone.
The competition was judged across six key elements: outrun, lift, fetch, drive, shed and pen – with a maximum of 100 points available per run.
Weekend judges were John and Jackie Marsh, with Angus Laird supplying access to his field and livestock.
The event included free entry and car parking, with donations made to Mountbatten Hospice.
Top results, Saturday: 1 Floyd Farthing (Sal, 88pts); 2 Ed Hawkins (Jock, 86); 3 Mark Banham Jon, 80); Sunday: Floyd Farthing (Nip, 87); Cai Pritchard (Gail, 84); Jonny Elkin (Sally, 83).
