International Sheepdog Success for Seumas

Skye crofter Seumas Campbell, Balnacnoc, Uig, Isle of Skye, who won the Scottish National Sheepdog Brace Title, went on to take out the International Doubles Championship at Castle Howard, Yorkshire recently with his working collies Bell and Queen.

With two competitors running in the Brace from each home nation, day one saw Englishman Alexander Wilkinson with Grace and Pip top of the leader board on 378 points, with Scotsman George Gardner of Lesmahagow teamed with Meg and Gum hot on their heels on 376.

On day two the first competitor retired and the second was disqualified. Next up, Skyeman, Seumas Campbell and his canine cohorts – Bell and Queen – were off to a flying start with an almost flawless outrun and lift. The flighty Texel cross gimmers then shot past both sets of gates, losing 105 points between them on the fetch and drive.

Totally unperturbed the canny Scotsman calmly carried on, even when the sheep jumped out the back of the open-pen.

“It encouraged me that they had gone into the pen and I knew then that if I kept a cool head it was possible. The sheep were testing but very even throughout the three days. ”

Only one point was dropped when shedding in the ring and Queen performed with style at the second pen.

Once points were calculated the Skye trio tallied 410 points out a possible 560 (140 per judge), taking out the International Doubles Competition, 32 points clear of runner-up Alexander Wilkinson, England.

Seumas was awarded the David Stone Brace Aggregate Cup for the highest combined National and International Doubles points, The Alan Jones Memorial Cup as winner of the Brace and a Border Fine Art from sponsor Gilbert & Page.

He is the second sheep dog handler to have taken the International Brace trophies home to the Island – KC MacKinnon, Bernisdale won them in Wales in 1999.

“I was absolutely delighted to win. It was only the third time that I have run a Brace in a competition so felt inexperienced, ” commented Seumas who had hurt his leg earlier in the week, was on crutches and unable to drive.

His teammate George Gardner received The Edinburgh Trophy for the oldest competitor.

Lewis man, Scott Macaulay and Mirk, were sitting in the top 15 Singles at the end of day one, but with a few good scores on the second day they were pushed down the pecking order and out of the running for Saturday ’ s Supreme.

Only two Scots qualified for the 15 man showdown – Neil McVicar and Baledmund Pete, Dunoon, Argyllshire, who were placed third in the Scottish National and Neil Gillon and Boss from Dailly, Ayrshire (12th on home turf).

Five Welsh, five Irish, three English and the two Scots, made up the contenders for the Supreme out of the field of sixty. The Welsh held their own, taking out the first three positions, with Dewi Jenkins and Jock winning by a mere two points (563) ahead of Aled Owen and Llangwm Bud. Robert Ellis and Bran came third (541).

Third generation farmer, Neil McVicar, who farms 1000 Blackface and 200 cross sheep at Benmore Farm, Dunoon was representing his Nation for an eleventh time and his seventh appearance in the Supreme. He won the International in 2005 with Spot, but had to settle for 4th place this time (502). Neil took home the James S Gray Trophy for the highest Scottish Aggregate.

Fifth place also headed over the Welsh Border while sixth came to Scotland. Neil Gillon, who shepherds near Dailly in Ayrshire, was running in his fourth Supreme (496).

It was a memorable weekend for the Fairy Glen family in more ways than one, as on their journey home they were dropping their elder son, James, off at Glasgow University, to start his degree in Environmental Engineering.

Scott Macaulay and Iain ‘Staffin ’ MacDonald, who unfortunately did not get a run as reserve, will represent Scotland, with the rest of the team at the 2023 World Sheepdog Trials 13-16th September at Gill Hall Estate, Dromore, Co Down, Northern Ireland. Unfortunately there is no Brace event at the World Champs.