Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny, 15 September

Final update 7:15 p.m.

It has been superb, September weather: blue skies and a cool, gentle breeze.  Everyone enjoyed watching the top handlers and dogs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as they competed at this 2007 Irish International Trial.

On the field here we see James McGee from Ballybofey, Ireland with his dog Roy.  James was scheduled to run a second dog, his National Champion bitch Becca, but Becca found a 'boyfriend' at the time of the Irish National and is currently resting at home with pups due! The Reserve, Aidan Gallagher ran his dog Bill in place.

Horse & Country television are recording all the runs and making many interviews for programmes to be scheduled on Sky TV sometime in November.  Presenter Robin Page is seen here with current Sheepdog World Champion Gordon Watt, originally from Ireland but now settled in Suffolk, England. The second picture shows Robin with TV crew interviewing Michael Longton after his run (photos from Metapics)

A Brace Win for John Griffith

The Brace Competition has been decided with the completion of the second four runs today.  The winner, with 400 points from Day 1, is John Griffith of Wales with his Fan and Gwenno.  Second place is Con McGarry of Ireland with Dan and Ballyglass Nell on 399 points, also from Day 1.

Today's Brace results:

Run Name Co. Dog NOTE POINTS
5 D Birchall I MEG & MOSSIE 365
6 J Casey S BILL & JILL RETD
7 E W Edwards W CLWYD JAC & CAP 346
8 R E Briggs E WENNDALE STAR & WENNDALE PENNY 272

Today's Singles:

Yesterday's leader, Gethin Jones on 357 points, is the overall points leader.  In second place on points was Andrew Carnegie of Scotland with Lark, Team Captain.  Of the other Captains we have said that James McGee did not run Becca; Glyn Jones' Ben, had a good run until running out of time at the Shed; and Paul Turnbull's Mirk faced a difficult packet of sheep that took him to many places.

The photo shows Emrys Lewis from Abelgele, Wales at the Single with his own bred Craig.

See the end of this report for the list of the 'successful 15' and the approved run order.

The Team Award has been won by Wales who were just ahead of Scotland on points.

Run Name Co Dog ISDS No. NOTE POINTS
33 D Birchall I MOSSIE 259504 TIME 259
34 N F McVicar S SPOT 253845 319
35 P Williams W SWEEP 277391 DISQ
36 A Iley E CHESTER 250940 183
37 J F Rooney I FAYE 274163 TIME 306
38 N Campbell S MOSS 253474 291
39 P R Tomkins W FYNNYDD BONNIE 233361 244
40 J D Wood E SWEEP 265007 TIME 94
41 A Lyttle I SPOT 270337 280
42 M C Shearer S BOB 285788 TIME 310
43 R E Lewis W CRAIG 254411 281
44 M T Longton E MONTY 257223 231
45 J P McGee I ROY 276315 271
46 M C Shearer S CAP TIME 304
47 G R Powell W GWEN TIME 214
48 R D Roper E TOM TIME 277
49 A J Corrigan I JIM RETD 44
50 R MacDiarmid S BILL TIME 236
51 D K Evans W MIRK TIME 223
52 J Cropper E DAN DISQ
53 W Goligher I GLEN 270
54 E C MacKinnon S NAN DISQ
55 E W Edwards W CLWYD JAC 320
56 W G Watt E YORK 309
57 A P Gallagher I BILL TIME 243
58 A D Carnegie S LARK 343
59 G L Jones W BEN TIME 225
60 P Turnbull E MIRK RETD 199

Supreme Run Order