One Man and his Dog!
One Man and his Dog!
Date: Sunday 5th
April
Place: Golcar Farm, Baildon Moor, Bradford
Time: meet 9.30 am for a FULL day
Cost: £65
Slots: 6
HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU MARVELLED AT THE SIGHT OF A SHEPHERD WORKING SHEEPDOGS, TO MANAGE A FLOCK OF SHEEP? HEARD THE WHISTLE AND THE CALLS AS YOU WALK OVER A FELLSIDE? THE CONTROL AND OBEDIENCE SHOWN AS MAN AND DOG WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM IS IMPRESSIVE HOW LONG DOES T TAKE TO MASTER THIS AGE OLD SKILL?
Barbara Sykes is one of the best sheepdog triallists in the world, and fortunately for us she lives here in Yorkshire. Barbara's credentials are legendary- in 1983 she was a member of the English sheep Dog trialling team with her dog Meg, and there followed 9 consecutive years of national sheepdog trialling, Barbara has developed her own bloodline from Meg's successors, and Megs impeccable qualities live on in her present family of dogs-Cap, Cass, Kim, and Pip to name but a few. Barbara is co-author of the book Training the Sheepdog, and current editor of the specialist trialling magazine 'Freedom of Spirit'
Your day will commence with an introduction to dog trialling, the commands and responses. Then you will go out to meet one of the dogs. It is important that you are able to form a two way communication with the dog-he or she will obey your commands-the dog will also indicate what he feels you should 'ask him to do'- remember he knows a lot more about this game than you do!, but you are still in command and need to give him the right instructions. This delicate interaction between man and dog will be the secret of your success!
After this initial session, you will split into pairs with a dog to share, a small enclosure of sheep, and a collecting ring. Once you have made progress within the confines of the enclosure, the wide expanse of the open fields beckons…with more sheep! Will you be able to 'work' your dog to bring them in? You will need to bring a packed lunch; tea and coffee will be available all day at the farm. The event will go ahead even if it is wet, so come prepared with adequate clothing, and maybe a pair of wellies in the car boot!
Directions: Take your easiest route to Bradford City Centre and then follow the signs for Shipley (A6037) . At the lights take the Ilkley/ Otley road and after 3 sets of lights filter left to Baildon (B6151) . In Baildon go straight through the roundabout, start to climb, go over the cattle grid, and take the first left on to Bingley Road. Continue past the car park about a mile on the right, down the side of he moor across another cattle grid, and the road levels out. Drop down the hill-at the Eldwick boundary sign turn right to Golcar Farm. Go up the track and turn left in the farmyard.