|
The Early Sheepdog Trials Project: Trials 1906 - 1908
 NB Each trial is listed here under the first year in which it was held Back to Early Trials Index page TRIALS FROM 1906 TO 1908 From 1906 ISDS INTERNATIONAL TRIALS 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 Details of the foundation of the ISDS and the 1906 International appeared in International Sheepdog News for Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec 2006; the 1909 International in May/June 2009 issue, and the 1910 International in the July/August 2010 issue. 1906: SHEPHERDS AT PLAY Sylvia Barcroft records in the Barcroft chapter that W Carter Platts of Kettlewell took photos of George Barcroft and his dogs in action at the farm and wrote a descriptive article named “Shepherds at Play” which was to appear in “Strand” magazine at a future date, but unfortunately it has not been traced. c1906: HADDINGTON, EAST LOTHIAN The winner of the first International trial, Sandilands’ Don, is recorded as having divided the first prize at Haddington in terms which suggest it is a fairly recent event. 1906: EDGWORTH (BOLTON) Sylvia Barcroft has seen in a relative’s collection a medal, probably in bronze, inscribed “Edgworth & District Agricultural Show 1st Prize Working Sheepdog Trial Open 1906” which will have been won by George Barcroft. From c1906 NIDDERDALE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY (PATELEY BRIDGE) Our Dogs for September 29th 1906 carries a report of the Nidderdale Society's trials on September 24th. Judged by John Rigg of Sedbergh, the local class was won by Jack Eglin with Laddy and the Open by W Akrigg's Laddie. W Akrigg also won the Brace with Laddie and Lady, but there were only two entries. George Barcroft competed in the Nidderdale Agricultural Show trials at Pateley Bridge in 1910, competing in both singles and doubles. See the Barcroft chapter. 1906: SLAGGYFORD (NORTHUMBERLAND) 'Our Dogs' for October 27th 1906 carries a report of the trial held the previous Friday on the common above the Burnstones Hotel. There were between 30 and 40 entries for the Open trial, and 6 for the Local class, both won by W Bell of Softly near Slaggyford. c1906: SUFFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY TRIAL 'Our Dogs' for June 9th 1911 carries a report of the trial held on June 1 and 2 at Ipswich. It states that this "most attractive sideshow" was introduced five years before by R S Pippin (sic) of Beeston, having first been held at Christ Church Park (Christchurch Park is in the centre of Ipswich). At the 1911 trials, there were three handlers from the north, Messrs G Barcroft, Batty and Bagshaw, with a total of seven dogs, running on a local flock of Suffolk yearlings. The results are not recorded, and it may be that this trial was at least as much a display as a competition. See also Essex Agricultural Society 1911. From 1906: THRELKELD, LAKE DISTRICT Our Dogs for September 22nd 1906 reports on the trial held on September 12. There was a local class (15 miles radius) and an Open class, won by J Mason of Barbon with Jack, beating such famous handlers as George Barcroft with Dust and W Akrigg with Lady, who came third despite setting a record time for penning in 3 minutes 43 seconds. Class III (it is not stated what class comprised) was won by T Robinson of Threlkeld Hall. George Barcroft also competed at this trial in 1907. See the Barcroft chapter. Our Dogs also includes a report of the 1910 trial, held on September 14th. Thr Local class (18 entries) was won by J Taylor, Formside; the Open (35 entries) the first an second prizes were shared between G Salkeld, Matterdale and J Mason, Barbon. 1907: COCKERMOUTH Manchester Courier for 20 September 1907 reports that the first trial of the newly formed Cockermouth and District Association took place the previous day before a large crowd with Open (won by J M Powley, Ambleside) and Cumberland (won by J Lister, Threlkeld) classes. The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1907 alsolists a report of this first trial. Our Dogs for September 2nd 1910 gives the results of the trials held on August 25th, where a large crowd watched the Open, won by Joseph Scrivens, Penrith, and the Local classm won by J Lister, Threlkeld. From 1907: HIRAETHOG MOUNTAINS, RUTHIN CLWYD George Barcroft competed in this trial in 1907 in singles and doubles, and again in 1911 where the venue is given as held at Bryntwillyn, Denbigh. See the Barcroft chapter (where the spelling in the 1907 newspaper report is Hirathog). 1907: ACTON BURNELL (SHROPSHIRE) ALNWICK BEAMISH BURMARTON (?) HENLLYS LLANBEDR LLANSANTFFRAID LLANSILIN PENARTH The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1907 lists reports of trials at all these locations. More details to follow. Burmarton does not feature in my atlas - possibly Burwarton (see below). Some of the trials may be at shows which are held in a different place every year. 1907: BURNESIDE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (ELLERGREEN PARK, KENDAL) 'Our Dogs' magazine for September 11th 1908 reports on a trial at Ellergreen Park, Kendal, the residence of C J Cropper on August 22, under the auspices of the Burneside Horitucultural Society. There was a large entry, but any were delayed at another trial on the same day in Patterdale, and some top names, including George Barcroft, W Aikrigg and T Dixon of Kirby Stephen with his famous dog Swallow. The prizes went to T Capstick, Gem; Medcalf's Sep, J W Morphet's Frank, and L Ackroyd's Nap. The index to Our Dogs for 1907 also lists a report of a trial at Burneside in 1907. 1907: BURWARTON, SHROPSHIRE George Barcroft competed in this trial in 1907. See the Barcroft chapter. From 1907: HUSBANDS BOSWORTH, LEICESTERSHIRE Barbara Collins in her 1994 Guide to Sheepdog Trials in Britain & Ireland indicates that there is in existence a programme for a Husbands Bosworth trial in 1907, after which it was held intermittently "for a few years", before becoming an annual event from 1936 until the present day. From c 1907: LOWTHER PARK, PENRITH The index to Our Dogs for 1907 lists a report of a trial at Lowther Castle in 1907. Details to follow. George Barcroft competed in this trial in 1908. See the Barcroft chapter. Our Dogs for September 11th 1908 includes a report of this annual event (which thus will havs started a few years earlier), held on September 5th. There was an entry of 45 on a longer than usual course with a three furlong (660 yards or approx 600 meters) outrun. A time limit of five minutes to the first double flags was in force. The winner was R Metcalfe, Ravenstonedale, with Lep. A similar report appeared in Manchester Courier for September 8th. Our Dogs for October 14th 1910 includes a report of the annual Hound Trail and Sheepdog Trials. There were 52 entries in the sheepdog trials and the winner was Mr Metcalfe's Sep (Ravenstonedale). Manchester Courier reports in its issue for October 8th on the annual private trials at Lowther with "admirable entries and good attendance". 1907: MILNTOWN (ISLE OF MAN) The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1908 lists a report of a trials at Milntown - the first entry for the Isle of Man. More details to follow. Our Dogs for October 21st 1910 reports on the fourth Ramsey trials (hence 1907 for the first trial there), held on October 13th under the auspices of the Northern Dog and Poultry Society in the beautiful woods of Milntown and Glenauldyer Valley. The judge was T Capstick of Ilkley, and many Manx and English handlers were present. There were two classes, Open and Manx handlers, the latter over an easier course. 1908: CLITHEROE EDINBURGH OTLEY SHREWSBURY WALTHAMSHIRE The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1908 lists reports of trials at all these locations. More details to follow. 1908: BARGRENNAN & DISTRICT DOG TRIALS ASSOCIATION (SCOTLAND) The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1908 lists reports of trials at all these locations. More details to follow. Our Dogs for October 28th 1910 reports on what is described as "the last of these trials" held on October 22nd, and open to competitors within the counties of Wigtown, Dumfries, Kirkudbright and Ayr. Judged by John Craig, Kirkcowan and W Robert Aftenwai, Mauchline. Thdere were 37 competitors, slightly in excess of former years. A Robertson, Glenwhilly was the winner. 1908-1909: BLACKPOOL (SINGLETON PARK) Singleton Park is a model village situated near Poulton le Fylde, the property of T H Miller, a prominent cotton manufacturer. George Barcroft competed in the first trial at this location in 1908 in both singles and doubles and in singles the following year, but there are no further references to trials there in later years. See the Barcroft chapter. Manchester Courier for 12 September 1908 reports on the "new venture" with prizes including a silver vup given by Mr Miller. There were 29 entries in the dingles and 8 in the doubles. George Barcroft won first, second, fourth and sixth places, as well as the challenge cup with his four dogs. W Akrigg won the brace and R S Piggin was the judge. 1908: GLOSSOP, DERBYSHIRE George Barcroft competed in this trial in 1908. See the Barcroft chapter. 1908: RADNORSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY (PENYBONT) 'Our Dogs' magazine for September 11th 1908 carries a report of this trial at "Penybout" enjoyed by many spectators, with the prizes: 1st J Rees, Rhayader, Jep; 2nd equal E Price, St Harmon, Turk & P Langford, Llansaintfraed, Wag; 4th T Lewis, Rhayader, Bess. See also Penybont 1892. 1908: PETWORTH, SURREY Held in conjunction with Lord Leconfield’s’ tenants’ agricultural show, but it is reported by Walter Baxendale (see under 1910) that Lord Leconfield did not persist with the event. From 1908: RYDAL The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1908 lists a report of trials at Rydal. More details to follow. Our Dogs for July 15 1910 carries a report of the annual trial at the home of the le Fleming family. There were 15 entries in the Local class and 40 in the Open, as against 17 and 32 the previous year. The Open class was won by J Allen's Mop; the Local by Willaim airey's Bob. A special prize for the shepherd showing the most kindness to his dog was shared between George Barcroft and William Bell. From 1908: STRATHPEFFER The index to Our Dogs for June to December 1908 lists a report of trials here. A later report in Our Dogs on the 1910 ("third annual", hence starting in 1908) trials here, held "last week", from the context mid September, and organised by the Strathpeffer Spa Company. The judge was J Scott, Ancrum, who gave an exhibition with one of his own dogs at the end of the trial. There was a larger entry than in former years, and several English handlers were present. The Local class was won by R Finlayson, Dingwall, and the Open by George Barcroft, but the dog's name is not given. There was a special prize for the dog commanded entirely by whistle, won by W Wallace, and a prize for the youngest handler in the porize lilst, D MacRae. From 1908: HARDEN MOSS, HOLMFIRTH The Harden Moss trial, held off the old Manchester road at the point where it completes its climb out of Holmfirth, was founded in 1908 and has been held every year since except for a brief three year break during World War I. The founders included many well known farmers from the Holme Valley and Meltham. Notable amongst them were Haigh Howard of Holme, James Taylor of Meltham, and Thomas Haigh of Scholes, who did much to improve the land at Harden Moss. c1908: CAITHNESS & SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND Reported by Walter Baxendale (see under 1910). The date given here of 1908 is only because it is mentioned in the same breath as the Petworth trial of that year, and there is as yet no other date with which to link it. Our Dogs for September 16th 1910 reports on the annual Caithness & Sutherland trials, held alternately at Berriedale and Dunrobin, in 1910 at Dunrobin on September 7th and judged by James Scott, Troneyhill, the holder of the International medal. The Open class was won by D McKay, Crakaig, who thhus won the Duke of Sutherland's cup for the third time, which meant that it became his property.This confirms 1908 as the earliest possible start date for these trials. Class 2, for Berriedale tenants, was won by Mr Cormack, and there was also a clsss for the best kept dog.
|
 |
|
 |
 |