Sheepdog trials

Following the resounding success of Sheepdogs: My faithful friends, Eric Halsall here brings alive the competitive excitements and thrills of sheepdog trials, particularly at National and International level. The first such trial was in Bala, North Wales, in 1873 and they have been popular ever since. The Supremem International Trial (the equivalent of the European Cuup in soccer) is also described, along with the dogs which have wone it through the years since 1906. As so many people have been fascinated by sheepdog trials through watching the BBC television series, One Man and His Dog, the author tells the 'behind the scenes' story, including the teamwork of the dogs and men on their home farms. Eric Halsall tells of the major trial successes (and of the great disappointments when there is a simple slip of concentration) and of how the border collies' skills are tested to the full. The pre-eminent value of sheepdog trials is that they improve the working collie for its task of herding the world's sheep. Nowadays, in fact, trials are used as the 'shop window' for breeding stock. For the layman who is eager for information, Eric Halsall explains how a trial is judged, what the judges look for, how the marks are determined and why one dog is better than another. He also describes what is needed in the way of equipment, staff and layout design in order to stage a trial. This book has been written in a delightful style in such a way that it will appeal to anyone who is interested in the countryside, its ways and traditions. For the first time ever an extensive 'fixture list' of trials - type, dates, site - is included. This has been really needed by countrymen and country visitors as interest has grown in pastoral events, particularly so after the continuing impact of One Man and His Dog. This description may be from another edition of this product.