Running Order; Updated 9:35 AM GMT; Updated 11:30 AM; Updated 2:45 PM: Updated 6:25 PM

Note that scores for the Supreme Championship will NOT be posted until all competitors have run and the judges’ merit points have been calculated. However, a running commentary of events on the trial field will be posted throughout the day.

Soaking rains overnight have turned the viewing and parking areas into a quagmire, but that has not discouraged spectators from witnessing the Supreme Championship here in Wales. The weather is currently quite variable, with overcast skies and occassional rain squalls passing over the field.  Visibility is sometimes reduced by mist and precipitation, but the sightlines from the handler post and viewing areas are excellent. The Supreme Championship started promptly at 8:00 AM with Ged Watson and Eryri Rock at the post.

The course is said to be tough, but fair. Set on a rise, the first outrun (to the right) requires stamina from the dog to ascend a steep rise before picking up its sheep near the back of the field. After the first fetch, the terrain naturally guides the dog to the second packet of sheep to complete the outwork. Again, the sheep are working well. Three runs have been completed.

The rain has finally abated, although the wind is up and the temperature is dropping. Through the first five runs, three have timed out – Ged Watson (with Eryri Rock) and Michael Shearer (Cap) at the pen, and Seamus Gormley (Mali) in the shedding ring. In these cases, time has been lost retrieving the first packet of sheep after the second fetch because the sheep have wandered to the fence line far to the left. Glyn Jones' run with Ben, running second this morning, drew praise from several spectators.  Gareth Davies with Moss is on the field, which will be the the last run before lunch and the Young Handlers competition.

At mid-afternoon in Kimmel Park, Abergele, Wales, the Supreme Championship has resumed. Kevin Evans has just completed his run, following Jocky Welsh with Mack. This was Jocky’s second dog in the 2008 Championship. Allistair Little and Spot are set to enter the trial field. Through nine competitors, the general consensus is that the best runs to date have been those of Glyn Jones with Ben, James McGee with Becca and Neil Campbell with Moss although, with three of the four team captains to run, it is far too early to proclaim a Supreme Champion.

During lunch, the Young Handler Competition was held where, again, the competition was at the highest level. All young handlers completed the course with their dogs. This year the Champion was 12 year old Robbie Welsh from Ayrshire with his five year old bitch Maid.

Later in the afternoon, solid runs were posted by Kevin Evans with Mirk, Allistair Lyttle with Spot, and Alan Jones (Defaidty) with Bet. Seamus Gallagher with Glen was the last competitor for the Supreme Championship, but timed out on the shed.

The 2008 International Sheep Dog Trials concluded with the awarding of the Supreme Championship to Kevin Evans and Mirk. With 595 judges points and 60 merit points, Kevin and Mirk edged another Welshman, Alan Jones (Defaidty) with Bet (590/56), a close but unanimous decision by the judges. Neil Campbell and Moss was third with 575 judges points and 51.5 merit points. The competition was keen throughout the day, with many posting competitive runs. But in the end, Kevin’s score prevailed. The Supreme Championship was preceded by two days of qualifying trials, which narrowed the field from sixty to fifteen, and determined the brace championship, won by Jim Cropper from England, with Fleet and Dan. Sammy Long from County Donegal, with Daisy and Craig, was second in the brace. It was the Irish team that captured its first team championship during those two days, sending five handlers to the final and taking home the Team Shield. Seamus Gallagher and Glen won the Driving Championship for Ireland.

The final scores are shown below.

Conratulations to Kevin Evans and Mirk.