0:00:02 > 0:00:07We've got glorious sunshine, rolling hills, champion dogs, and lots and lots of sheep!
0:00:07 > 0:00:13It can only be the longest running television dog trial in the world, it's One Man And His Dog 2010.
0:00:31 > 0:00:37Here we are on a beautiful farm in the countryside just outside Cheddar Gorge.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42Over the next couple of days, we'll be seeing the very best in sheepdog trialling,
0:00:42 > 0:00:50as the top handlers from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales battle it out to be crowned 2010 champions.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54The first of the three trials in this year's competition will be that
0:00:54 > 0:00:58of the young handlers and all the competitors are under the age of 18.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Then it's the brace round, that's one man and two dogs.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Then, in the final round, it's one man and his dog but with two groups of sheep.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10A man who knows more about sheepdog trialling than anyone else I know is
0:01:10 > 0:01:13of course Gus Dermody and he joins us as ever.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15- Gus, lovely to see you.- Hello.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Now, our four competing nations, which one do you think stands the
0:01:19 > 0:01:22best chance of being champion this year?
0:01:22 > 0:01:24On paper it could well be Wales
0:01:24 > 0:01:29but at all three levels of this competition it's very, very strong.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Honestly, I think it's too close to call.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35The outcome may be too close to call but there's one thing that's certain
0:01:35 > 0:01:42- every one of our handlers will be hoping it's their dog that helps them clinch victory.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47But what is it that makes a champion dog? What do you have to look for?
0:01:47 > 0:01:52I went with Gus to one of the largest sheepdog auctions in the country to find out.
0:01:57 > 0:02:03If you want to buy either a working or trialling dog, then this is the place you need to come.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04This is a sheepdog auction.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09We're in Skipton on a rainy blustery day, but it's really busy.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Gus, how does the auction work?
0:02:11 > 0:02:13There's over 100 dogs for sale.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17That includes little pups, fully-trained dogs, and even some trial dogs as well.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Like all auctions, if you want to buy something, obviously you want to have
0:02:20 > 0:02:26a look at it, so there are people out in the field behind us showing how their dogs work with sheep.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32But unusually, if you do want to buy a dog, you can get a sneak preview of it at its home.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Emrys Jones is a handler who trains and sells sheepdogs.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43He's been working with Jess for the past two months in preparation for the auction.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Come-bye.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48She's a little bit eager, I don't mind that.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50We can always take that out of her.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Stand. Stand.
0:02:52 > 0:03:00But you can't put what she's got into a dog - which is fast, keen, switched-on, she's like a razor.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Come-bye
0:03:01 > 0:03:08- Today, some potential buyers want to see exactly how well Jess performs in the field.- She's real smart.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09You've done a good job with her.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14If they like what they see, then they'll bid, but there could be others interested in Jess on the day.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- Fast, isn't she?- Yes, she is, yes.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Nice mover.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I've spotted our Jess in the catalogue here.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27We've seen some pretty high prices already.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31One dog went for over 1,500 guineas just now.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33A guinea is £1.05.
0:03:33 > 0:03:39- Why do they sell in guineas? - It's tradition and the auctioneer has the 5p.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Jess from Emrys Jones.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49This is a very sharp registered bitch born February 2009.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53What are the buyers looking for when they look at a dog like this?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55First of all they're looking at the temperament of the dog.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58They want a dog with a good outrun, they want a dog that's careful with
0:03:58 > 0:04:01the sheep, it doesn't rush them, bully them, or anything like that.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06It's not about the way the dog looks, it's about the way it performs.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Buyers are interested in the way the dog takes its instruction, as well at its ability to command sheep.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Good outrun. Easy to teach.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19At the moment I'm quite impressed. Yes, she's well trained.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Put your hand in your pocket then!
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Ladies and gents,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25start the lead then, for 3,000 guineas.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- So bidding is starting.- 1,500 bid,
0:04:28 > 0:04:301,500 bid, 1,500.
0:04:30 > 0:04:351,500 bid, 1,500, 1,500, 1,500,
0:04:35 > 0:04:391,600, 1,700, 1,800,
0:04:39 > 0:04:411,900.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46The potential that she's showing now is that she could well turn out to be trialled through so I'd
0:04:46 > 0:04:48be looking at two plus and it's just reached two now.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Are you sure that wiggling your finger like that isn't meaning that you're bidding?
0:04:52 > 0:04:552,300.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56With you, sir.
0:04:56 > 0:04:582,350. 2,400.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03At 2,400. At 2,400 bid. At 2,400.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Yes, sir. 2,500 bid. At 2,500.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10At 2,500 bid.
0:05:10 > 0:05:16Sold at 2,500 up the right hand side there, please.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Well, it was a good price.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20I don't think
0:05:20 > 0:05:25it was one of Emrys's known buyers but I think it was somebody standing over there.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Can we interrupt? Sorry, Emrys.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- Pleased to meet you.- So you're the man who will give Jess the new home?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35What made you think this was a good dog?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37When I saw her in the back of Emrys's pick up
0:05:37 > 0:05:41this morning, she was sharp and I like her size as well because she's got to do hill work.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43She's a lot of style.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45You can usually tell about most things.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I think this is a man in love here!
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I didn't think you men were soppy about your dogs.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I spend more time with my dogs than I do with...
0:05:56 > 0:05:58We're very close to our dogs.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Emrys, are you pleased about...?
0:06:00 > 0:06:05I'm really pleased. She's going up to lots of sheep, lots of field, lots of land.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Brilliant.- A good successful day here at Skipton.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Back in Somerset, the competition is almost under way.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17As ever on One Man And His Dog, it'll be the young handlers up first.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23While they wait nervously to step up to the post, here are Matt and Gus to talk us through the course.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Five sheep are sat next to the lift post at the far end of the course.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30It's important to remember that, with sheepdog trialling,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33the marking is about losing points, not gaining them.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37So for the outrun, you can get a possible 20 points.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41And remember, the handler can choose to send their dog out either right or left.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Then the dog approaches the sheep and moves them gently back towards the handler.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49That's known as the lift and it's worth 10 points.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54There are 20 points up for grabs at the fetch but the handler must remain at the post.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59Next it's the drive worth up to 30 points and it's always a tricky part
0:06:59 > 0:07:02of the course, this, especially at the second drive gates.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05So we might see a few points lost here.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The drive ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Here, any two sheep can be shed off and held by the dog until the judges
0:07:13 > 0:07:16are satisfied, for a maximum of 10 points.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20And for another 10 points, all five sheep must be penned and the gate closed.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23The course should be completed in 12 minutes
0:07:23 > 0:07:28and there's a total of 100 points available before any deductions.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I've come to a very windy spot but it's a spot
0:07:31 > 0:07:37with a splendid view right across the course, and this is where our judges will spend the next couple of days.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42Let me introduce you to them. This is John Robinson from Scotland, and Dick Montgomery from Bristol.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Dick, what makes a good judge of a sheepdog trial?
0:07:45 > 0:07:52Well, someone that's experienced enough to know what a good run is in the first place and has got...
0:07:52 > 0:08:00Can be consistent for the whole day for every run, and to judge the runs and not the individuals.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- John, have you worked with Dick before?- No, I haven't.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- So how do you know that you're going to have a similar opinion?- We don't.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09We could see fur fly?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12You might! You could see Dick flying over the edge!
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Let's hope that doesn't happen!
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- Are you expecting a good competition over the next couple of days? - Oh yeah, should be close I think.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Good, good, well I hope you're looking forward to it
0:08:21 > 0:08:25because we certainly are and the competition is about to start.
0:08:25 > 0:08:31Now, opinion is a bit divided about whether running first is an advantage or disadvantage.
0:08:31 > 0:08:37We drew lots earlier and first up in the young handlers Fraser Shennon with his dog, Fizz.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40The one problem with living in Scotland is it's always raining.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46The day I saw Fizz, she was jumping up and wagging her tail at me.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We seemed to get on very well with each other.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54I'm 15-year-old,
0:08:54 > 0:08:59my dog is coming four in August and I've been dog trialling for a year-and-a-half now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04I'm excited about being part of the team but I just don't want to let the side down.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13I bought Fizz from a relation to enter dog trialling as well.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15She was just a good-natured dog and she seemed to
0:09:15 > 0:09:18listen to me and get on with me.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I've never really had one as good as that before.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25I wouldn't want to be without her, but I know it willnae last forever.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I got into trialling because of my papa.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's another name for my grandpa.
0:09:32 > 0:09:38He's been dog trialling for 50 years and he was put in for Scotland
0:09:38 > 0:09:41in the first ever One Man And His Dog, and he won it.
0:09:41 > 0:09:47David Shennon and Meg won the single championship for Scotland.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Everybody has got high expectations of me. It would mean
0:09:50 > 0:09:53a lot to win One Man And His Dog,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57make my papa proud and I'd feel proud of myself if I won it.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Well, no need for the waterproofs today, Fraser.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Fizz seems to be enjoying the sunshine as well, so first competitor
0:10:10 > 0:10:15in this young handler's competition and we're predicting that Fizz will run off to the left, Gus.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Yes, and she's away.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22So this is the outrun.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Yes, went a little bit square.
0:10:23 > 0:10:30Maybe the judges might have taken one off for going on the downside of the pen but it's a good line.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34She's got the sheep spotted and she's coming in just right.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Every handler has their own specific set of whistles.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40They're all unique to their dog.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Looking for that 12 o'clock position, lies down beautifully.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46That's good, that's a nice start.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Moving on to the lift.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Sets the tempo, really, for the course.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Yes, they've accepted the dog and they're coming up the field now towards Fraser.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Just two points lost for the outrun.
0:10:59 > 0:11:05Two points lost for the lift. Things going OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Fraser was a little apprehensive as to how Fizz would get on.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14He says it's two days since Fizz has seen sheep because of the journey here.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Coming towards the fetch gates.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17They jibbed but they're through.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Very nice, great stuff.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26This line is good up the fetch, Fizz working well.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30She lies down when he asks her to stop and sometimes it can be to her
0:11:30 > 0:11:37disadvantage, but these sheep are reacting all right to her and it's a very good start at this stage.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40He won an open trial in spectacular
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- fashion, Gus.- He won it really well against the adults, yes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47He was well in front and he did take a good shed
0:11:47 > 0:11:51so he'll no doubt be fairly confident all the way round
0:11:51 > 0:11:55this field now that he knows she's reacting right.
0:11:59 > 0:12:0417 points awarded for the fetch, on 43 at the moment.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14Well, that's good at the moment, and they're nicely coming in.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18And through the gates themselves, and a good tight turn.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20This is going good, Gus, isn't it?
0:12:20 > 0:12:22It is, it is.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25He was saying to me just before he took to the field that this
0:12:25 > 0:12:28is the point he's slightly concerned about, actually
0:12:28 > 0:12:31judging the distance of these gates.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Yes, yes, quite possible.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39They've got their heads up, they're ready to do a run and escape if they possibly can.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Especially the white-faced one, she's going round the back now.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Now they're coming through and they're nicely through, but that was well done.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56So then, on to the shed looking for any two.
0:12:56 > 0:13:0023 out of 30 for the drive.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Now just seven lost.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06It's still a good round.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09To be fair, to be first up for the young handlers, it's a tough thing
0:13:09 > 0:13:15because all the spectators and competitors are behind watching them, and here's Fraser first out.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Everyone is getting a judge of the course from his round.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Very true.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26Interestingly because these sheep have been so compact, it might be tricky to get two off.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Especially if they suspect that you're trying to pull one or two of them away.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Come-bye
0:13:32 > 0:13:38There's a chance, an opportunity. Asking the dog through, in she comes.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40On to the two sheep.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Well, maximum marks.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Excellent for the shed.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54That's a confidence builder.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56So far, so very, very good.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Yes, fingers crossed.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Come-bye. Come-bye.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09The sheep just having another little look at Fizz.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14They're nicely bunched here.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18He's getting them towards the mouth.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21They're coming on to the edge.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27But she's coming up on to them again now. They could well spin in now.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29The others are looking good now.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32That's it and in they go. Great stuff.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Look at that - Fraser swings the gate shut with great glee.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Absolutely superb performance first up,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and that has set the benchmark.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Nine for the pen, a total of 85.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51What a start for Fraser and Fizz, and what a start for Scotland.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Let's see what he makes of it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58I got all my gates and I finished so I'm quite happy but my lines weren't as straight as I'd have liked.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03I thought I lost quite a lot of points just because my lines weren't straight.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Any pre-round nerves Fraser might have had certainly didn't show.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12That was a great round and a tough act to follow for our next young handler.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13She loves me!
0:15:15 > 0:15:18My name is Elin and this is my bitch Eryri Taran.
0:15:18 > 0:15:24I live in Snowdonia Park and I'll be representing Wales in One Man And His Dog.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I live at home and I've got nine brothers and sisters.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36I've got four sisters and five brothers and I'm the oldest of the girls.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41My dad first got into trialling.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I went with him to the different sheepdog trials and
0:15:44 > 0:15:48I enjoyed it because I met different kind of people.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52They just like to see different kind of dogs and spend time outside.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02My dog's full name means "Snowdonia thunder" in English.
0:16:02 > 0:16:09She's quite fast for her size and thunders are fast so I think she deserves it.
0:16:11 > 0:16:17She's a busybody. She likes nosing and she's really jumpy
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and interested in everything.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22I taught her that but it's not part of her sheepdog training!
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I hope I'll never give up trialling, I enjoy it so much.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30On the day of One Man And His Dog, I'm not sure what the chances will be.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34I hope I'll do a good job, but we'll see on the day.
0:16:39 > 0:16:47On we go then with our second young handler of four and a bit of Snowdonia thunder in Cheddar gorge.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Away goes the dog to the left.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52No doubt she'll have just wanted to get on with this round, and now
0:16:52 > 0:16:55she'll be focused on the sheep and all will be forgotten.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Yeah, the dog is just about wide enough, she might cast out further.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Ah, she is doing now so that's good.
0:17:04 > 0:17:10If the dog goes too deep into the field, it can lose sight but she gave it a whistle then.
0:17:14 > 0:17:20That was a very good start, the dog compensated. It was coming in too tight before but it's opened out.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22It's covered the sheep and it's lifted them well.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25They're just bending a little bit now though to the left.
0:17:25 > 0:17:3015 scored for the outrun. Two points lost for the lift.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34It's going near the edge of the gate.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Will they go?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Well corrected, that!
0:17:39 > 0:17:45We breathe again, as all the sheep managed to go through the fetch hurdles.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54She's now using voice and whistle commands.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02No doubt she is talking to the dogs, she'll be speaking in Welsh because that's her first language.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Yes.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08She's stopping the dog.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14I'm not the expert in the Welsh language.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24It's an awkward spot here as the sheep start to come round the post.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27The dog is going round, the sheep are going round.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32Turning down on to the first leg of the drive.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35SHE SPEAKS WELSH
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Just four points lost on the fetch at this stage.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42She's four points behind where Fraser was.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43Off go the sheep.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50So back through those fetch gates, that's the idea.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Round through the gates and on to the cross drive.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56It's a good turn.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02She's got to ask the dog round so she's gone off line on the cross drive.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- Ooh!- She's got them back on line, now she's got to go round fast.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13And come in through the gates... What a recovery!
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- She's done it!- She got through!
0:19:15 > 0:19:18That was sensational, wasn't it?
0:19:18 > 0:19:23It's points lost but she did get the obstacle and that matters a lot.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27So over the sheep come to the shedding ring.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Any two can be separated from the group.
0:19:32 > 0:19:3521 scored for the drive.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37She needs to find an extra six points.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52One broken away, going round the edge of the ring, but if
0:19:52 > 0:19:54they go out of the ring there's points to be lost.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57There are 10 points available for the shed.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03It's a lonely place as well, isn't it, that shedding ring, Gus?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06You feel so self-conscious, don't you, when you're in there?
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Very, very! Yes.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14The possibility here of the back two. She might well try for the back two here.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Maybe it comes. If she can just get the dog in...
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Oh, it shot back across.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25She'll have to lose points for that but I could see what she was after, and it was a fair
0:20:25 > 0:20:28chance to have a go there, but unfortunately that one sheep
0:20:28 > 0:20:33shot across and joined the others so she's got to start all over again.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37It's the luck of the draw sometimes whether you can get this but there's a chance coming now.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39There's two off.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The dog comes through,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and nicely taken.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49Nicely taken. When it eventually came, she got it well.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54Three points for the shed so, yeah, it's a shame but the
0:20:54 > 0:20:58opportunity didn't come for her so she's obviously been penalised.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Now she's got to try and get them in the pen and they're going down towards the side.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04She's got to get that gate open.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09After remaining quite still for a while, these sheep
0:21:09 > 0:21:13are keen to stretch their legs, but moving over to the pen.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19At least they're sticking together and this is one
0:21:19 > 0:21:23time when it's great to stick together because in they go.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25A textbook pen.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26What about that!
0:21:26 > 0:21:32A lovely way to finish. A little bit sticky in the middle with the shed, but in general it was a good round.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37Yes, it was to her disadvantage that they wouldn't part in the shedding ring, but then things
0:21:37 > 0:21:40went right at the pen when they stuck together and in they went.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45One point lost on the pen for the slight deviation on the journey over towards
0:21:45 > 0:21:48the pen but let's have a look and see how the scores add up.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51A total of 72 for Elin.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Pretty good.
0:21:54 > 0:22:02It was hard to shed them because she's a dog that will gather them together but I'll be happy with 72.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06It was a great start but it was the shedding ring that let her down.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Our next competitor is 15-year-old Amy from England with her dog, Mist.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19'Trialling gives me more confidence because I'm not the most confident of people.'
0:22:19 > 0:22:23When I'm out there, I'm like a completely different person. I don't
0:22:23 > 0:22:25'really care about what other people think.
0:22:25 > 0:22:32'I switch off because I want to do my dog proud, and make her feel like she enjoys it as well.'
0:22:32 > 0:22:35And wanting her to enjoy it and not to give up.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Mist and I have won quite a few competitions.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I think it takes passion of the sport, passion of your dog,
0:22:43 > 0:22:48how well you and your dog work together to be a great handler.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I love any type of animal.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55'At the moment I've got cats,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59'chickens, geese, sheep, dogs.'
0:22:59 > 0:23:05It's like an ambition of mine to stay with animals in my life until...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07the end, really!
0:23:09 > 0:23:11I don't think I'd ever be without Mist.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16It's like, no, really weird, I could never imagine my life without her now.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20'The bond between us two is really close.'
0:23:22 > 0:23:28If England win, I'll just be like really, really happy and,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I don't know, just really excited and pleased and proud.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42So Amy is very matter-of-fact about her trialling. She said, "Well,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44it'll either go my way or it won't."
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Away she goes wide.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Yes, really wide, in fact.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54The only snag is, if the dog goes too deep into the field, it
0:23:54 > 0:23:59might miss seeing the sheep because they're over a slight rise so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Here she comes.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Absolutely perfect.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05That's good,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- that's good.- Bang centre.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Oh, got them going nicely.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Yes, she has and they're coming at a pace down
0:24:22 > 0:24:24that bank.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Just two points lost on that outrun.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32It was very good, yes. Just a little bit too wide from her feet but, after that, brilliant.
0:24:32 > 0:24:3510 points scored for the lift, maximum points.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Yeah, look at that right through the middle.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44A superb line then towards Amy.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Well, she's got them steadied down.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49They were quite touchy at the far end of the field but she's settled them.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Open. Take your time.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56Talking to Mist.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Mist responding very, very well.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Round come the sheep, round comes Mist.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06What a good turn on to the line!
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Tight turn. The judges will be pleased with that.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Just two points lost for the fetch.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Excellent, excellent.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Reading the sheep as well, Amy, looking at every single movement
0:25:20 > 0:25:24that the sheep are doing because, although you've got to keep an eye on your dog, of course, you've got
0:25:24 > 0:25:27to look at every little flinch that the sheep are making as well
0:25:27 > 0:25:31because that gives you an indication as to which direction they'll bolt off into next.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Here they come towards the gates.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Will they accept and go straight through the white gates?
0:25:36 > 0:25:41- Yes, they have.- This is going very well indeed for Amy and Mist.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Super right turn on to the cross drive.
0:25:44 > 0:25:50It was a good turn, the dog gave plenty of room so there was no pressure on to the sheep.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55So the sheep are still nice and settled and the line as good as they go on this cross drive now.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00Here she is asking of the inside flank. She's taken it.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02This is going to be close,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05but they've got to look goal behind the first gate.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09And then in between the two gates themselves.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11And she's lined them up nicely.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Look at that for in the middle.
0:26:14 > 0:26:20Absolutely perfect. Mist taking that come by in a clockwise direction to swing them back in.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Heading towards the shedding ring.
0:26:23 > 0:26:30Now, she should stay at the post until the first sheep goes into the shedding ring in itself.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33There we are. Into the ring. Amy goes to meet them.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Well, that was a good drive.
0:26:35 > 0:26:3925 and a half scored for the drive.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It's out of 30.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44She's got two already that are marching towards her.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Through taking that pressure off.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50She's got to lull them into the...
0:26:50 > 0:26:54There we go! Very good.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58This is something else, Gus.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01She's doing everything right at the moment.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Fingers crossed now that they stick together now into the pen.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08As predicted, full marks for the shed.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Brilliant.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12They're looking towards the gate.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Nearly down the side. Don't upset them now.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You've kept them lovely and calm.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18Oh, what a disappointment.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Two round the back.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24What a shame. She's calling the dog in.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26She's got to regroup them.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30That is good now.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33If things go nice and calmly -
0:27:33 > 0:27:35there's one thinking of challenging the dog.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38The one on the inside. That's the one that's blocking things.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47They're in. They're in. Very good.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52Absolutely superb from Amy and from Mist.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54A big pat for Mist.
0:27:54 > 0:27:566.5 given for the pen.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Let's see how those scores add up.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Marvellous. Three points clear so far of Fraser.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06A total of 88.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Let's see how it went from her perspective.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13The sheep - I couldn't have asked for a better pack, really. The dog,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17I found she was a bit pushy at the start. That's why I was yelling my lungs out.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20At the end, she kind of steadied down a bit.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23We got 88 and I can't believe it.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29Our final competitor in the young handlers has the oldest dog.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34She's nine-years-old, but will that age prove an advantage or will it hold her back?
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Let's meet her handler.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40'I'm Cormac Kearins from Sligo in Ireland.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44'I'm 17 years of age and I'm going to run Elliott at this year's One Man and his Dog.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49'I'm involved in farming because I love it.'
0:28:49 > 0:28:56I go out every day, I work on the farm, I do different jobs, I help out my father and my mother.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I love working with animals.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00I love working on the land.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06I've never thought about anything else other than being a farmer ever since I left primary school.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12'I first got into trialling because of my father.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16'I was just going on 13 when I started working with Ellie.'
0:29:16 > 0:29:21So, I was a bit young, really, to get such a high quality dog.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26'But I worked myself there and she took to me straightaway.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28'And I took to her.'
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Sit down.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Ellie is nine-years-old.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36She's fit, she's willing.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38She put her heart into working.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Even though I think she might be the oldest dog in the competition, I don't think she should be ruled out.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44She might surprise.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51To win One Man and his Dog would be a lifetime achievement.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56It would also make me more ambitious for the future and will be a realisation of a dream.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06So, the trusty old girl by the side of the Irish young handler.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11No doubt, Ellie here will know exactly what Cormac wants to achieve.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13They need a score over 88.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19Yeah, she's gone out all right. I thought at first she might be
0:30:19 > 0:30:25going fairly straight, but no, she's got the maturity here to know what trialling is all about.
0:30:25 > 0:30:32She's taken a fairly good line down. Just coming in a little bit now as she comes around towards the sheep.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Well, the dog hasn't pushed the sheep offline through being that little bit
0:30:35 > 0:30:40tight, so it'll be interesting to see what the judges do. But the lift was just a little bit short.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44You have to be careful he doesn't put too much pressure on here.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48Maximum points for the outrun.
0:30:48 > 0:30:518.5 scored for the lift.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53That's a brilliant start.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56That's better.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07Cormac is 17 years old and won his first trial aged eight.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09So he's pretty experienced as well.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10Sheep all settled.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13I thought he might have been upsetting them at first, but he's
0:31:13 > 0:31:17got them settled and they're coming right towards the fetch gates now.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Will they try and go either side?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24No, they're going to go straight through the middle.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Speeded up a fraction as they went through.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Then he's got them settled again.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32What a delightful start here.
0:31:32 > 0:31:39There's just half a mark in it now between Amy at this stage and Cormac here.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- So the sheep then heading up
0:31:42 > 0:31:48to the field. They'll go round Cormac and back down.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52This is the tricky bit.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58He's got to try and keep them as close as he possibly can to the white post without them turning back.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00That's going to cost him a little bit there.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Sit down! Sit down!
0:32:03 > 0:32:06And they're coming around now.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10That was the on the real fault there, where they turned back on themselves.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The judges will be taking a little bit off there.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15An 18 scored for the fetch for Cormac as well.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19There's still just half a point in it.
0:32:21 > 0:32:29Going down the drive OK. Just gaining speed a little bit now as they go towards the first drive gates.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33There's one ewe on the left-hand side going to have to be tucked in.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34She's still out
0:32:34 > 0:32:36of line. Will he get her in?
0:32:36 > 0:32:38He's turning her in. Great stuff.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42That was a good recovery there.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Keep it cool. Keep it cool. Easing back that little bit.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57The sheep are coming in a fraction high, but he seems to have coped.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Nicely on line as they go towards these second gates.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06They've got to be pulled back through the gates.
0:33:06 > 0:33:13So they go in behind the first one and then all five sheep should come through the two gates.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16This looks good.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20They're through.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21Very good.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26This is going to be very, very tight indeed.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Tremendous standard from these young handlers this year. It really is.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35They head towards the shedding ring, and not forgetting here that Amy scored
0:33:35 > 0:33:38maximum points here.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- 10 points in the shedding ring. - He's got an opportunity coming here.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46He's got to be careful. Calls the dog in.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48He's got them.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50And it looks like that could be 10 points.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53It could well be.
0:33:53 > 0:33:5625 and a half scored for the drive.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Exactly the same as Amy.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04And nine at the shedding ring. So, he's half a point down now on Amy.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Is it going to be Ireland's year?
0:34:08 > 0:34:12Sit! Sit down! Sit down!
0:34:12 > 0:34:15They're all turning. Let's hope he doesn't have a burst here.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Spin round.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22One at the back spotted the pen.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Steady, steady. I think they're covered this time.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28There's only one way to go.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Well, it's a super pen.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Is it worth more than six and a half?
0:34:36 > 0:34:39In my book, yes, but we'll have to wait and see what the experts say.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43It is enough. It's eight and a half scored.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45How does that fare?
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Well, it brings a grand total of 89 and a half.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51What a calm and mature performance there.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55It's a good score. I'm happy enough with it.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Happy to get around and get on well with it.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01I felt earlier unwell, actually. I was nervous enough,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04but when I got out there, got used to it and got on with the job.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14Well, I think it has to be said, Gus, very high standard indeed with the young handlers.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I think it's been better than for a long, long time, really.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Well, we'll have a look at Fraser's pen here because it was a super finish for him and Fizz.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I didn't think he was going to be beaten after that. It was superb.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Moving on to Elin there.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Again, a fine example of really good trialling, up until the shedding ring.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39It was a shame because it was to a very high standard, but that's what cost her the points.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Over to the pen and we'll move on to Amy here and Mist.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47It was an uncharacteristic score of six and a half for Amy.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52It was a shame she lost that, but even though she lost that, she still went into the lead.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56The pressure was really on then for Cormac and Ellie, but what a start.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Maximum points on that outrun.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I didn't think a previous run would have been beaten,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04but it was a great run right the way through and he went on to the top position.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Calm, cool and collected.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Super stuff from him.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14Well, just to confirm the positions at the end of our first round.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Wales are in fourth place, Scotland in third,
0:36:18 > 0:36:25England in second, and leading by just a point and a half, it's Ireland.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29So, Cormac, an almost faultless round.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31You must be very, very proud of Ellie.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36Yeah, I'm very proud of Ellie. I thought it was a good run and got paid off well.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39No plans to retire her yet?
0:36:39 > 0:36:42- There's life in the old dog yet? - There's plenty of life in her yet.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45There certainly is. Well done to both of you.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Well, it was an extremely impressive performance from all our young handlers, so congratulations
0:36:49 > 0:36:54to all of you because you made it look incredibly easy. Believe me, it's not.
0:36:54 > 0:37:00Getting a dog to concentrate at this level requires a unique bond between handler and dog,
0:37:00 > 0:37:05as Matt discovered recently when he met up with a trialling legend.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09I trained my first sheepdog nearly 20 years ago.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14As a lad, I was just fascinated by the relationship between man and dog.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19And one gentleman who has perfected that art is national and international champion Jim Cropper.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Very good to see you.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Great. Great.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Now, you've brought along some of your pack here.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28What age do you start showing them sheep?
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Anything from four months old, I would say.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34You can't make a dog work. The dog has to want to work.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Right then, Jim.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40So we've got this pen set up here with the sheep inside.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43That's how I usually start these dogs, on a long rope
0:37:43 > 0:37:46to keep a good check on your dog if he gets out of control.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49You see, I'm walking him way here.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54When you're training a dog, you're working on the dog's instinct to herd.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00So you're channelling that herding instinct, that wild instinct, to yourself.
0:38:00 > 0:38:08You are the pack leader, you're the master, and you've got to get that bond going between you and dog.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13Right then, Jim. We've seen the puppy stage and now we're going to move on to the finished article.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16This is a three-year-old who has been running well. I'll give you a dash with black.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21So, here they come. Here are the girls.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24The dog's coming in with him on his horn. He's thought for himself.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28All he needs is a little whistle here and there and he understands.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Do you start with the word commands and then introduce
0:38:31 > 0:38:35the whistle slowly so that they can associate the two together?
0:38:35 > 0:38:41That's right. Start with the commands and then slowly gone to the whistles until they take them both.
0:38:41 > 0:38:47Two easy whistles so the dog differentiates quickly which is its right and left.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53A working dog is so keen that even if a bitch is ready
0:38:53 > 0:38:58for mating, the dog won't take no notice until it's finished its work.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02That's his come-by whistle.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06Now, I always remember it, come-by and away, it's like a clock face.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10When the dog's running clockwise, starts with a C, so that's come-by.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14And then anti-clockwise starts of with an A and that's known as away.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Walk on. Stand there. Lay down.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23- Come-bye.- The speed at which he's reacting to what you're saying is something.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27- Oh yeah. Lay down.- What process do you use to hone that, then?
0:39:27 > 0:39:31He's waiting for every word that you say.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36It's what we were talking about earlier. Getting this bond going between you and the dog.
0:39:36 > 0:39:42He's waiting for your every move and every little click of your voice or anything.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47Lie down. I've known dogs use up to 80 or 100 commands.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49They're marvellous, dogs, marvellous.
0:39:51 > 0:39:57There's three species, really. There's you, there's your dog, and there's the sheep.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01And if you get it all right at once, you'll maybe win the trial.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- I wouldn't mind having a little crack with him, if I could. - Go on, then.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- Is he a one-man dog?- We'll see!
0:40:07 > 0:40:10We will. Right then, Black. Come.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Come-bye. Lie down.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14He's looking at me saying, "What are you saying?"
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I don't know how you talk, Jim!
0:40:21 > 0:40:22It's about
0:40:22 > 0:40:27pitch and tone. You've got to sound a little bit more like me.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Come-bye. There he goes.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31He's off now. Come-bye.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Good lad.
0:40:33 > 0:40:39- I'll leave him with you for a day. - Lovely stuff. Jim, pleasure.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41You're going to make a dog man, after all!
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Thank you so much. Honestly.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- Wonderful insight.- We've had a good morning, yeah.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49If you think communicating with one
0:40:49 > 0:40:53dog is hard, then try communicating with two at the same time.
0:40:53 > 0:40:58Yes, next up it's the Brace and here are Matt and Gus to explain the course.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Ten sheep are set next to the lift post at the far end of the course.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06The handler sends one dog to the left and the other to the right to reach them.
0:41:06 > 0:41:1020 points are available for each dog.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15The dogs approach the sheep and together get them to move gently towards the handler with the lift.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16A total of 10 points each.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22The sheep are then taken on a straight fetch through the fetch gates towards the handler, 20 points.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27The handler directs his dogs to take the sheep around the handler's post and then, starting to the left,
0:41:27 > 0:41:32they're taken on a triangular drive through two sets of drive gates.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35The drive ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring. 30 points.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39The handler then chooses one dog to divide the ten sheep into
0:41:39 > 0:41:43two lots of five inside the shedding ring for 10 points.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47On completion of the shed, the handler uses one of his dogs to move
0:41:47 > 0:41:50one group of five sheep towards an open pen.
0:41:50 > 0:41:56Once the sheep are penned, the same dog must hold them until the round is complete. 10 points.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59The handler can then turn his attention to moving the final
0:41:59 > 0:42:04five sheep into the gated pen with the remaining brace dog.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09The trial is complete when these final five are in the pen and the gate is closed. 10 points.
0:42:09 > 0:42:15The course should be completed within 18 minutes and there's a total of 140 points at stake.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20Thanks, boys. Well, it's got even windier on judges tower, but luckily Dick and John are still with us.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23They haven't been blown off their perch yet.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27They're here to ensure fair play and to deduct points because, remember,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30you only lose points with sheepdog trialling.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Now, Wales is currently lying in fourth place, so it's their
0:42:32 > 0:42:36competitor that goes up first for our next round.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39The man charged with that daunting task is Ian Jones,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42and he'll be running with his dogs Jess and Tom.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48I've been trialling quite a long time.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I suppose you could almost say I've been doing it since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57I've never been in a city much.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Don't suppose I'd last five minutes in an office.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Wouldn't be much good there anyway.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09We've been working this farm about 20-plus years.
0:43:09 > 0:43:15We've got stock bulls of our own to put to commercial cows.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Belgian blues. He's enjoying this. He loves a good scratch.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Both dogs I'm working today are related.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27They're brother and sister. Tom is four years old, Jessie is about eight.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Jessie is quite independent.
0:43:29 > 0:43:34I think she's only ever worked for me. I suppose she's probably a one-man dog now.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37She will run and run and keep running.
0:43:37 > 0:43:42And Tom is slightly more laid-back, but he's a very powerful dog.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45He'll probably get to be a one-man dog as he gets older.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47But you need that on an open hill.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51They've got to know who to come back to.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53I would like to win, if I could.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57But, with two dogs and a lot of sheep, it could be a struggle.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00There's a lot of other good competitors in it.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04It depends how things go on the day.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07I'll give it everything I've got.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16Well, Gus, Ian said in that piece that Jess loves to run and
0:44:16 > 0:44:19run, so she'll be well suited to this course.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23Tom's eager. He'll be running off to the right. There he goes.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26There goes Jess off to the left.
0:44:26 > 0:44:32It'll be interesting. They could well come behind the sheep fairly close together.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36In the Brace, of course, the handler has two sets of whistles.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39One for each dog. So they don't get confused.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42And Tom's stayed behind.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48Now then, there was a cross then from Tom. And again.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51The judges will be taking some points off.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54And the sheep have been lifted.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57Each dog gets a score for its outrun.
0:44:57 > 0:45:0220 full marks and 17.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04And for the lift, two scores as well.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07Just dropped 3 points between them.
0:45:07 > 0:45:08A 9 and an 8.
0:45:08 > 0:45:13Well, nicely through the centre of the gates.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23Are there different techniques of working with two dogs?
0:45:23 > 0:45:28Or is it generally one dog looks after one side and the other looks after the other?
0:45:28 > 0:45:32That's how it should be, but sometimes they both vie for the same job.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34They become workaholics.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36So it's a job to get them to share the work.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Stand there! Stand!
0:45:41 > 0:45:43There's Tom waiting for his command to go round.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47Stand there! Stand!
0:45:47 > 0:45:50Stay there! Stand!
0:45:50 > 0:45:52Now the sheep have...
0:45:52 > 0:45:56Oh! We've had one break away. They've recovered and got it back in.
0:45:56 > 0:46:02Some dogs would have gone in and possibly engripped, but there was good control there.
0:46:02 > 0:46:0615.5 scored there for the fetch.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09Solid round so far.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13And the sheep going very nicely through the gates.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17They need to come round though. Tom needs to come round
0:46:17 > 0:46:20and push them. He's going quite wide, but he's turning them.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24He's starting them on to the cross drive.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Just not quite flowing at the moment.
0:46:28 > 0:46:34It's a bit stop and go. The judges may well be penalising.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39When they come towards the fetch gates now, they need to be on Ian's side of the fetch gates.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41They're a bit low in the field.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45He's turning them uphill a little bit.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48Interestingly, I was just chatting to Ian earlier and he was saying
0:46:48 > 0:46:53that he's marked out certain little nettle patches there that he's aiming for.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55And that's how he's judging the distance.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Now, he doesn't want to turn at speed here.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02Tom's going flat out to turn them in, but he might turn them too soon.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06Jess is covering her side.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13He looks like he's going to get it.
0:47:13 > 0:47:19That's a good recovery and the sheep go right through the middle of the second drive gates.
0:47:23 > 0:47:29Well, as a pair, they won the Welsh National in 2009.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32Came second in the international competition as well.
0:47:34 > 0:47:3722 scored for the drive.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39Very good. Stringing out a little bit.
0:47:39 > 0:47:46Here's his opportunity coming, but the black-faced ewe has gone back across to the other five.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48- Here she comes again.- Stand!
0:47:49 > 0:47:54He's asking Jess in. That's it. She's come in.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56- Stay there!- Successful shed.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59Full marks for the shed.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03So this then is an open pen. There's no gate on it at all.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07- Stay there, Tom.- Tom's eager to get involved as well.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11He's desperate to get involved, but Jess is working away tremendously.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15Jess will hopefully pen these without too much trouble.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22Stand!
0:48:22 > 0:48:24Stay there! Stay there, Tom!
0:48:26 > 0:48:29Jess will wait patiently whilst
0:48:29 > 0:48:33her team-mate will go off and do his stuff.
0:48:33 > 0:48:38Just 1 point lost there at the pen.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43The sheep are coming now back towards the
0:48:43 > 0:48:45gated pen.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I think Jess will stay there.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52- Oh, she's come away!- Stay there!
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Turn right! Left! Stand!
0:48:55 > 0:49:01If he can get these sheep into the gated pen and those
0:49:01 > 0:49:04others don't come out, he's not going to lose any points for it.
0:49:07 > 0:49:08Steady. Steady, Tom.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11Oh, there's two in nearly, one in.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14No, no, no, don't grip.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17That's it. Now he's in with a chance.
0:49:17 > 0:49:19Well, he's shown his authority without gripping.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22He could well do it. The other sheep are still in the pen.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26The gated pen shuts. He's got both sets of pens completed.
0:49:26 > 0:49:28APPLAUSE
0:49:28 > 0:49:33- Goodness me. What a round that was.- Brilliant.
0:49:33 > 0:49:355 given for the pen. Let's tot everything up.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40It's a total of 115.5.
0:49:40 > 0:49:46Well, I'm sure Ian wouldn't have predicted a finish like that, but let's see if he's still smiling.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50I was beginning to wonder when I got out on the field what I was doing here.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54But it's finished and not too bad, like. We'll see.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57It's up to everybody else now, isn't it?
0:49:57 > 0:50:00A very respectable score indeed.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04So, how will Peter Martin from Scotland fare with his two bitches?
0:50:05 > 0:50:08The dogs I'm running this year on One Man And His Dog -
0:50:08 > 0:50:10the first one is two-year-old Tess.
0:50:10 > 0:50:16The other one I'm running is Maid who is six years old.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Hopefully it'll be quite a good combination.
0:50:18 > 0:50:24Both are actually good outrunners, which saves me a lot of legs.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28And that's the most important thing nowadays!
0:50:30 > 0:50:32Started off as a deer stalker.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36Then somebody asked me if I'd like to work with some sheep and I really enjoyed it.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40I thought I could do this more as a permanent basis,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43and that's what I've been doing for the last 35 years.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47On days like this, it's wonderful when the weather is lovely and sunny and clear.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49It's most enjoyable.
0:50:49 > 0:50:55My closest neighbour is my son and my daughter-in-law and my two grandchildren.
0:50:55 > 0:51:00Which is very fortunate for us because the two granddaughters are interested in sheep.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02She's got grand wee feet for packing bags!
0:51:05 > 0:51:08Border collies are probably one of the cleverest dogs about.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11They're really quite intelligent animals.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14It's amazing the things you can teach them.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17It's only the second year I've been running them because
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Tess was quite young last year. We'll give it our best shot.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23I watched One Man And His Dog many years ago and it was very fascinating.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27I thought, "I wouldn't mind having a try at that."
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Never thinking I'd get on the television 25 years later.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Here we are!
0:51:35 > 0:51:38It's quite a moment this, for Peter,
0:51:38 > 0:51:41if he never thought he'd be here on One Man And His Dog.
0:51:41 > 0:51:48And 25 years later he's standing at the post, ready to send out Tess and Maid.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Maid off to the left. There she goes.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Tess is off to the right. Just two years old.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04HE WHISTLES
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Both dogs again have stopped without crossing.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14We've got Maid on the left, Tess on the right.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Fresh sheep for every runner. They're beulahs.
0:52:16 > 0:52:21They can be a little bit stroppy and then once the dog comes close up to
0:52:21 > 0:52:26them, they can suddenly shoot off. It has to be a very careful lift.
0:52:26 > 0:52:31So, 19 scored for Maid's outrun.
0:52:31 > 0:52:3317 for Tess.
0:52:34 > 0:52:389 for Maid's lift. 6 for Tess's lift.
0:52:44 > 0:52:45Right through the middle.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52Hit the accelerator and off they come up towards Peter.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56Come-bye!
0:52:57 > 0:53:03Sometimes, when you're starting to put a bit of pressure on one dog, the other holds back a little bit.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09Again, it's Tess that's wanting to do most of the work here.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13Maid's just holding back thinking, "Hold on, don't get us in trouble."
0:53:13 > 0:53:18But the sheep are turning.
0:53:19 > 0:53:20Stand there, you!
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Stand there, you!
0:53:22 > 0:53:2415 scored for the fetch.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32A lot of times, the sheepdogs don't like the sheep to get away from them.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35They think they're going to lose them and
0:53:35 > 0:53:38it's a great struggle to try and keep them behind the sheep, pushing away.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42There is always that instinct for the dog to bring the sheep towards
0:53:42 > 0:53:46the handler, especially if it's a young dog that's used to working.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50- That's the majority of the work they do.- It's what they do naturally.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58There you go. There's the come-bye whistle and she's round.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02Yeah. Very wide. Maid coming round as well.
0:54:07 > 0:54:08But there's a stop.
0:54:08 > 0:54:13Tess is on the far side, looking at the sheep. Tongue hanging out there.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16So, the line is not too bad.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20Maybe just a little bit high, as some of the sheep are starting to think about grazing.
0:54:20 > 0:54:25Again, if the judges are going to be watching this, he's going to be taking the odd point off
0:54:25 > 0:54:27because the sheep are just not flowing properly.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30Wait, wait, wait!
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Wait, stand there, you!
0:54:34 > 0:54:39It's the enthusiasm of the younger dog, Tess, that's making her just move that little bit sharply.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Coming towards those gates. They need to go behind the first gate.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52They're almost there, but they're thinking of grazing again.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56They're not at all worried with the dogs.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59- Out!- Maid's doing her bit.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01They've come in very close.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08He's going to get these gates.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16Oh, and through they go. Well, that was difficult.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19That wasn't an easy job. Maybe it'll be a lot easier
0:55:19 > 0:55:23now to come from the second drive gate through to the shedding ring.
0:55:27 > 0:55:33Peter goes to pick up his stick and go into the shedding ring to meet them. Now, which dog will he use?
0:55:33 > 0:55:37Looks like Maid, the more experienced dog of the two.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39- 20 scored for the drive.- Lie down!
0:55:41 > 0:55:44Looks as if it could come... Is the fifth one coming?
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Bring the dog in. Great.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51He'll probably use Maid to push them away.
0:55:51 > 0:55:56He's going to use Tess to pen, but I wonder with all this enthusiasm
0:55:56 > 0:55:59whether she'll stay at the pen if he gets them in?
0:55:59 > 0:56:01Full marks for the shed.
0:56:03 > 0:56:04- Looking good, though.- Away!
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Steady, steady. They're going in backwards.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10We just need them in.
0:56:10 > 0:56:14It doesn't matter if they go in reverse, as long as they're in!
0:56:14 > 0:56:16They're in. Now then...
0:56:18 > 0:56:22Well done, Tess. Full marks for your pen.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24And so it's up to Maid.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29He's probably going to bring these sheep around the back of the pen.
0:56:29 > 0:56:34- Out, out!- So that they'll come in off and he can pick either side.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38- This might be the better side to put them in.- Lie down!
0:56:38 > 0:56:44Look at Tess. It rather looks as if she's got her feet fixed to the floor.
0:56:44 > 0:56:48- She knows her job, doesn't she? - Certainly does.
0:56:48 > 0:56:53That's the sheep I'm worried about, the one that's nearest now to Peter,
0:56:53 > 0:56:56- with the peculiar eye marking. - I think they're going.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58She's going in. She's gone in.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02Will the white-faced one go in to follow her? Yes.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04APPLAUSE
0:57:04 > 0:57:07A super performance from young dog and old.
0:57:07 > 0:57:12A score of 8.5 for Maid at the pen. Let's total everything up.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16It's 114.5.
0:57:16 > 0:57:21That's a whole point behind Ian Jones and Wales.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25I've just got to live with it. Can't change it now. Quite pleased.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30Well, congratulations to them and the end of their
0:57:30 > 0:57:34round marks the critical halfway point in this competition.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39Ireland were leading after the Young Handlers round.
0:57:39 > 0:57:43But Wales have 115.5 points in the Brace and Scotland
0:57:43 > 0:57:48are just one point behind on 114.5 points.
0:57:48 > 0:57:51So they've set a very high standard.
0:57:51 > 0:57:56Which means England and Ireland's competitors have it all to play for.
0:57:56 > 0:58:01But to find out how they do, I'm afraid you're going to have to wait until tomorrow.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04Then we'll show you the final two rounds of the Brace
0:58:04 > 0:58:11and bring you the last crucial round in this competition - the Singles.
0:58:11 > 0:58:18Only then will we know which team is going to be crowned One Man And His Dog Champions of 2010.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21You'd be absolutely mad to miss it.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23See you tomorrow.
0:58:40 > 0:58:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:43 > 0:58:46E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk