Cool heads reign among hot canines at national sheepdog trials

Ireland’s best sheepdogs sprinted, ducked and crawled on Thursday in the battle to win a spot on the national team to compete in the international trials next month.

As the temperatures reached more than 20 degrees on day one of three at the Irish National Sheepdog Trial in Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, the only distraction from the stars of the day was the ice-cream van.

The sun beat down as spectators, armed with binoculars and fold-out chairs, gazed as the skilful canines rounded up various groups of unco-operative sheep.

It was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere but there was fierce competition between handlers to earn a place in the top 15, and a place on the Irish team to compete in the International Sheepdog Trials 2015 in Scotland in September.

On tiptoe

Young children stood on tiptoe to peer over the fence as the dogs brought the sheep closer to the top of the field.

The alert border collies responded in lightning time to each whistle command from their handler.

Just metres away from being in the enclosure during one exercise, one defiant sheep decided to make a run for it in the opposite direction and all the rest of the flock followed faithfully.

The crowd let out a sigh of relief as the unperturbed border collies had all the sheep in the pen within seconds.

“It’s brilliant – such amazing dogs. Those sheep didn’t make it easy,” one tourist from America said as she clapped.

Competitor Mirjam Lettner, who lives in Ireland but is originally from Austria, is taking part in the nationals for the first time, 20 years after being bitten by the bug.

She was just 18 when she first saw sheepdog trials while on holiday in Scotland and decided it was for her. After she finished university, Ms Lettner bought her first dog and four sheep.

‘Intense bond’

“It is my passion. The dogs have a very intense bond with you. I’m sure I’ll be nervous but it’s exciting and I find working with the dogs relaxing,” she said.

“I find the sheep very interesting too because they have their own minds. They are not stupid like some people think.”

Ms Lettner, who is also secretary to the Irish National Sheepdog Trials, said about 600 had attended the event and thousands more were expected over the next two days.

Organiser Ned O’Keeffe, who was also competing, said whoever won the trials would make a very strong team to represent Ireland.

“Amazing skills here today.We couldn’t ask for a nicer day and it’s a great atmosphere. It’s a small community but a world-wide sport,” he said.

Mr O’Keeffe said with just one dog he had herded more than 1,000 sheep that morning.

“The dogs are essential for sheep farmers, especially if you are in the hills. They can cover so much ground. But the dogs are athletes and you don’t want to burn them out either,” he said.

“It’s my passion. It’s not about how good you are, I enjoy what I do. The adrenaline is running when you get out there. It’s a hobby for some and a daily life for others.”

Veteran competitor Denis Birchall (66), from Co Wicklow, said it was hard to put a value on the dogs but it was upwards of €1,000.

“I wouldn’t sell any of my dogs. You can’t put a value on a really good dog. One dog could replace 10 men. One dog recently sold in the UK for about €11,000,” he said.

Mr Birchall said he had won three-national championships in a row, international trials, the title of One Man and his Dog and numerous more competitions.

“I’ve loved dogs and I’ve loved sheep since I was a small child. I still love them,” he said.

“Great to see more and more young people getting involved.”

Although his children did not follow in his footsteps, his grandson Conor Healy will compete on his 16th birthday this Saturday with his dog Roy.

“From the time I could walk properly I followed granddad around and as soon as I was old enough I went along with him,” he said.

“It’s something I love doing and I’ll do it for as long as I can.”