Churchmount Working Sheepdogs

In conversation with Nigel Watkins - No Holds Barred

This is a very frank interview! Someone said to me that they have heard all the Churchmount interviews on soundcloud and that this one is by far the best. This one is where the world renowned Nigel Watkins is talking sheepdogs. Nigel is true to form with no holds barred!Nigel tells me about how Foot and Mouth disease closed down sheepdog trials in 2001. But it was different then because trials could reopen at any time. ‘Nobody knew when, nothing was cancelled’ . Whereas this time with the Covid, everything is cancelled for the year. Nationals, International and the World Trial are all cancelled.In this interview, Nigel goes on to talk about trialling and judging internationally. he talks about how preparation is very important now and how all the top handlers prepare their dogs for sheepdog trials. Support the show

In conversation with Dr Viola Hebeler - A veterinary surgeon’s approach to sheepdog training

What trails does a veterinary surgeon look for in a sheepdog? I first met Dr Viola Hebeler back in 2015 and the European Nursery Championship. I was attracted to her dog’s way of working and got to see him run again in the final there.Viola works as a veterinary surgeon yet finds time to train her dogs to compete at continental and world-class competition.In this interview Viola explains how she got started with working sheepdogs, the traits she looks for in a dog, where she gets her dogs from and the type of training facilities she uses.Support the show

In conversation with Aled Owen - Foot & Mouth and discontinued trials

I know that I don’t need to remind you of the gravity of the situation we are facing at present with this virus. However, I think that as sheepdog enthusiasts, we are very lucky in that at least we can escape from the news into our own dog world for a while.Back in 1999, I remember being at the International and seeing Aled win Supreme Champion with Roy in Trawsgoed. In 2000 I saw him win the Supreme again in Armathwaite, but with Bob. (I was there this time myself, as a member of the Irish team!) Those were tremendous achievements and as we know he would go on later to add two more Supremes and two World Trials to the list. For me, I think the really interesting achievement was how he came back after the 2001 gap to win the very first World Trial in Bala in 2002.So it was great to get talking with Aled Owen and find out what he did 2001. How did he retain his focus or did he set new goals to get through the year? I know that when I got out of the habit of trialing that I lost my focus and I left sheepdogs in 2001. I didn’t come back until 2015. (I don’t want that to happen with me this time.)Support the show

In conversation with John McCullough - Gill Hall

I asked John if our course this year would be as good as England was last year. John said why don't you come up and have a look and see what you think. So that's what I did over Christmas. While I was there I asked John for a few of his thoughts.Support the show

In conversation with Con McGarry - renowned Irish handler

I am fortunate in that I often find myself in conversation with Con McGarry. Last year we traveled together to the European Nursery Championship in Holland. We were due to travel again to it this year but of course, Covid19 changed all our plans. That said, I did get to travel with Con and two other directors, to ISDS meeting in Kendall in early February. It is always very enjoyable to travel with Con because he is a well of funny anecdotes and very amusing jokes.Support the show