SHEEP dog trials make a welcome return to the pages of the Gazette this week after an absence of more than a year.

The Gazette's sheep dog columnist Elaine Hill explained that events had stopped at the onset of foot-and-mouth in February 2001 but were now making a comeback.

"People are just very pleased to be out and about meeting one another again, particularly the farmers who have been very isolated," she said.

Although continuing restriction on sheep movements continue to disrupt the trialling calendar, The Gazette will bring you news of events in the area where possible.

ON SATURDAY Tommy Brownrigg of Newbiggin on Lune, hosted the very first sheep dog trial to be held in Cumbria since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth early last year.

A Northern Association nursery trial, it was held on the Ravenstonedale showground and judged by Pat Noble of Quernmore, Lancashire.

There was a good turnout of 46 dogs and competitors enjoyed the competition, the conversation and the fine sunny weather.

Running was over a good-sized rising course that most gathered right-handed, as to the left the dogs could run too wide.

Having just returned from wintering away, the Swaledale hoggs proved difficult to handle, they were hard to steer in straight lines and were very reluctant to be penned.

Keith Salisbury, of Riddlesden, near Keighley in West Yorkshire, won the trial with Clifton Rob, a smooth-coated black-and-white dog.

Rob was bred in April 98 by Nancy Harrison, of Clifton, near Preston, out of Tudor Belle and sired by Wyn Edwards' Jap.

A little further south another nursery trial was held on Saturday at Swarthdale Farm, near Lancaster, where Richard Hutchinson, of Littledale, judged an entry of 23 dogs.

Run in packets of five the Mule gimmer hoggs were awkward to handle and hard to pen.

Running for the very first time away from home, it was Tony Birkett's Jaff that took the title, one point ahead of Thomas Longton' s Thai in second place.

Although Jaff worked hard to keep his sheep bunched together, as they were intent on splitting, points were lost over the undulating course for deviations from line.

Over half of his penning points were dropped before he succeeded in capturing his charges.

However, his score of 72 of 90 points was sufficient to take the title.

Homebred at Carnforth out of his master's bitch, Lady, Jaff was sired by Peter Capstick's Cap, which is a son of Tony's old dog Jaff.

At just 16-months-old, he was working at an early age and has much natural ability.

On Sunday the Northern Association held an invitation trial for its committee members and team competitors at Great Musgrave.

John Calvert, of Askerton, judged the entry of 33, from which the top ten went forward into a championship.

Strong Mule hoggs required gentle handling over the flat course and great care had to be taken at the pen.

Stephen Thexton and Scott were the clear winners of the trial with a seven point lead and they almost took the championship.

Bred at Goosnargh in April 99 out of Lawrie Pawson's Maggie, Scott's sire is Peter Ellis' Jack, of New Hutton.

There was little to choose between the top three championship runs, with just one point separating each.

The title went to Cordon Thompson and Kyle, with Stephen and Scott in second place and Alec Baines and Jess taking third.