Ceiriog Valley trials, 2015: Sweep, Jim and Spot

Key facts

Dates

28–29 August 2015

Open winner

Pennant Williams with Sweep

Other working classes

Novice: Jim; Local: Spot

A clear division between Local, Novice and Open

The society dates its 2015 trials and show to 28 and 29 August, again using Tal y Garth and Ty’n y Groes near Glyn Ceiriog. Its report describes sunshine and blue skies, with the Local competition beginning Friday’s trial programme and the Novice following it. Alun Jones of Selattyn won the Local with Spot, while Elgan Jones of Llanarmon D.C. won the Novice with Jim. These are named class victories, not an inferred overall ranking between the two dogs. The Open took place on Saturday after an early start, drawing a wider field.

Sweep wins the Saturday competition

Pennant Williams of Treuddyn took the Open with Sweep. Secretary Katie Harold’s narrative notes visitors from Belgium and Germany among competitors from nearer home. The published award list also names Gwyn Lightfoot with Nell for Best Conditioned Working Sheepdog. The list distinguishes that condition award from the three sheep-work classes, so Nell should not be represented as another Open winner. Taken together, the class headings and narrative preserve three different competitive pathways: a local field, novice participation and an Open drawing travelling handlers. The record gives winners, but does not justify inventing scores or full final placings where they are absent.

Working skills beyond the trial field

The 2015 report gives unusual prominence to local farriers demonstrating their craft and offering informal workshops. Sheep competitions, hand and machine shearing, Young Farmers activities and the companion dog show formed part of the same rural gathering. Those details explain why a sheepdog-trial archive can also be useful for a history of agricultural skills and community events. They are specific features of this retrospective, rather than promises about a future edition. The organiser’s account and complete results provide the historical trail; the later fees and entry forms appearing elsewhere on the site should not be mistaken for the 2015 programme.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Ceiriog Valley Sheepdog Society — 2015 Results and Report (opens in a new tab)
• Ceiriog Valley — the society’s show and archive structure (opens in a new tab)

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