A major sheepdog trials brought to Suffolk for the first time has been hailed a success.
The English National Sheepdog Trials and Suffolk on Show, which took place at Haughley Park, near Stowmarket, from July 28, brought together the country’s top handlers and their dogs for a virtuoso display of their skills.
Ricky Hutchinson of Lancashire wowed the crowd with some stunning displays with dogs Sweep and Jock in the singles and brace championships. In the singles, he gained 194 points with Sweep, and 187 points with Jock, and in the brace competition with Sweep and Jock, he took 257 points to be crowned English National champion.
Joining him in the 15-strong English team which now goes through to the 2017 International Sheep Dog Trials from September 8 to 10 at Northleach, Gloucestershire, will be home-grown Suffolk talent, Ed Hawkins. Ed, of Hadleigh, who gained 10th place in the English trials with his dog, Gipping Valley Troy, trained celebrities for ITV show Flockstars.
Event organiser and Suffolk sheep farmer Bob Wilden, of wool bedding store the Woolroom, at Bramford, near Ipswich, said the trials had attracted a lot of praise.
“The sheepdog trials and Suffolk on Show event were regarded by all to be a complete success. The handlers were delighted with the course and the sheep which was a stern test for the dogs, but gave everybody a fair chance and the event was enhanced by the Suffolk on Show background which just made it into a very pleasant weekend.”
The singles results: English National champion, Ricky Hutchinson and Sweep, 194 points; reserve, Sergio Perello and Murguia Jim, 196; 3rd Michael Longton and Rainow Todd, 195; 4th David Henderson and Star, 189; 5th Ricky Hutchinson and Jock, 187; 6th David Wood and Lin, 180; 7th Thomas Longton and Maya, 177; 8th James Howard and Bill, 172; 9th Jed Watson and Jake, 168; 10th Ed Hawkins and Gipping Valley Troy, 177; 11th Ross Watson and Nidderdale Nidd, 171; 12th Ben Smith and Ben, 168; 13th David Cole and Sanduck Moss, 174; 14th Katy Cropper and Tsavo, 162; 15th Shirley Cropper and Beechwood Ben, 158; reserve, Vic Morris and Bob. 168; Brace champion: Ricky Hutchinson with Jock and Sweep, 257 points; reserve brace champion: Katy Cropper with Tsavo and Zac, 223 points.
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