91Èȱ¬

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary One Man and His Dog sheepdog trialling competition.  Held at Florence Court in Northern Ireland’s County Fermanagh, this estate which was once one of Ulster’s most important 18th century houses is a suitably spectacular backdrop to this piece of TV history. The best shepherds from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland are all competing, teamed up with the promising talent of four up and coming youngsters – all of course with their trusty canine companions. They’ll take on a specially designed course across which they’ll have to navigate a flock of flighty Scottish black faced sheep.

Florence Court itself is a grand Georgian building which was once home to the Earls of Eniskillen.  In its heyday this was a large agricultural estate and has today been frozen in time in the 1920’s.  This was when the fifth Earl took charge and marked a sea change in the way the estate was run.  Rather than presiding over affairs, the fifth Earl was hands-on out in the fields and getting his hands dirty.

When 91Èȱ¬ producer Philip Gilbert had the idea of bringing sheepdog trialling to the small screen, shepherd Bob Fraser was an inspiration that helped make this dream a reality.   They met at a sheepdog trial in Glanton in 1976 and shortly after One Man and His Dog was born.  Fraser was an infamous figure renowned for his natural gift working with dogs and sheep – a gift that earned him numerous national and international titles.  He went on to appear in the first ever episode of the series which he helped to inspire, finishing runner up.  He carried on competing all over the country and died in 1986 on the trialling field, with his dog at his side.

Gloucestershire farmer Dick Roper is 2015 English national champion.  A veteran trailer, Dick’s first competition was back in 1984.  An eye condition means that since winning his last major title Dick has lost the sight in one eye, but with his dog Will, still promises to be a formidable competitor.  Sixteen year old Tom Blease is Dick’s junior teammate.  Cumbrian Tom was brought up in a town but developed a passion for sheepdog trialling which resulted in his family upping sticks to a rural smallholding so Tom could follow his passion.   He’s competing with his dog Queen.

Ireland have won the trophy for the last three years running.  Hoping to make it win number four is senior shepherd Sammy Long and junior team-mate Caolan Byrne.  2015 Irish National champion Sammy trains sheepdogs for a living and has nine of his own.  It’ll be two and a half year old Ben that’ll be his dog of choice on the day.  Ireland are keeping it in the family as junior teammate Coalan Byrne is Sammy’s great-nephew.  Sheepdog trialling runs in Caolan’s family with his dad and granddad both having won One Man and His Dog.  Now with dog Dan, it’s Caolan’s turn to go for glory.

Senior shepherd John Mackillop works a massive 20,000 acres of land which stretches down to the banks of Loch Ness.  John has represented Scotland 9 times and has won the Scottish National twice.  He’ll be running with his dog, Joe.  Fifteen year old Jock Welsh completes team England.  Jock will be using 4 year old dog Nell who was his very first pup.  Nell doesn’t like being shouted at so Jock will be controlling her using just whistles.

Wales are led by a living legend in the sheepdog trialling world, Aled Owen.  Aled’s trophies include two World titles, two International titles and seven Welsh Open championships, as well as previously winning a ‘brace’ title in One Man and His Dog where two dogs are used.  He’s teamed up with eighteen year old Essylt Smith who is returning to trialling after a 2 year break for her GCSE’s.