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

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

Sep 1st, 2020 18m 19s

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 wor

In conversation with Alastair MacRae - The MacRae Way

Sep 1st, 2020 50m 37s

What does it take to achieve success in sheepdog training and competitions? I was lucky enough to talk to Alastair Mac Rae about qualities in successful dogs and the mindset and ambition of a top handler.The plan was to make a 15-minute intervi

In conversation with Tony Rofe - Round pen expert

Sep 1st, 2020 27m 56s

I first met sheepdog trainer and handler, Mr. Tony Rofe, when we traveled together on a trip to the European Nursery Championship in Holland. The ENC is a sheepdog trial where Border Collies from all over Europe, the UK and Ireland can go to co

In conversation with John McCullough - Gill Hall

Sep 1st, 2020 13m

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 thought

In conversation with Mirjam Lettner - Austrian sheepdog handler

Sep 1st, 2020 40m 29s

In this interview Mirjam talks about how she got started in sheepdogs. To my surprise, I discovered that she was a city girl growing up. She had no exposure to livestock and didn’t even own her first dog until she was 24. Mirjam describes what

In conversation with Sue Main - Author and international sheepdog trial judge

Sep 1st, 2020 19m 5s

In this interview Sue shares some advice and tips for successful sheepdog trial judging with me before a judging assignment.Sue has been involved in sheepdogs for over 30 years and has judged in sheepdog trials nationally and internationally. S

In conversation with Serge Van Der Sweep - Preparing for the World Sheepdog Trial

Sep 1st, 2020 45m 49s

In this interview I asked Serge Van Der Zweep to give me some insight into how he got started. He discusses which handlers influenced him the most, what advice would he give an open handler and how he prepares for a World Sheepdog Trial Final.S

In conversation with James McGee - Talking focus, staying inside the boundaries and hitting the goal in sheepdog training

Sep 1st, 2020 36m 32s

Like alot of people, I know that James is a top handler. I know that he has won an International Supreme and a World Trial. What i didn’t know is that he won the second National that he ever ran in and then went on to come 2nd to Neil McVicar a

In conversation with Erik Holmgaard - Insights from a world class handler

Sep 1st, 2020 9m 14s

Erik is a world class handler but he is the kind of trainer who adjusts his training and thinking to whatever dog he is working with. Erik also shares his knowledge and experience, by giving lessons to handlers at his training centre in Denmark

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

Sep 1st, 2020 29m 35s

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 worl

In conversation with Con McGarry - renowned Irish handler

Sep 1st, 2020 33m 32s

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 plan

In conversation with Toddy Lambe - World Sheepdog Trial finalist

Sep 1st, 2020 21m 52s

Toddy Lambe represents everything that is good about working dog trialling. Toddy has won the International Sheepdog Trial Supreme and a couple of National Sheepdog Trials to date. Toddy is not farming on big runs of ground or with big numbers

In conversation with Ian O'Carroll - Glan Y Gors Sheepdogs

Sep 1st, 2020 13m 58s

I was on my way to the ISDS directors meeting and I called to collect my dog Bruce from Ian. Ian stands sheepdogs for stud at his kennels. He keeps Serge Van Der Zweep's Gary and James McGee's Sid /Seth and people bring their border collie fema

In conversation with Neil Gillon - Trial cancellations & Brexit

Sep 1st, 2020 8m 10s

One Man and His Dog and the impact of Brexit on farming. Neil Gillon’s Hill Trial had to be cancelled this year because a mist came down on the hill making visibility impossible, but as we say in Ireland, “its an ill wind that doesn’t blow some

In conversation with Michael Longton - 4th generation sheepdog handler

Sep 1st, 2020 45m 47s

Michael comes from a very famous family that have been sheepdog trialing at the top levels for decades going back to before the war. Michael began handling dogs at the age of 12 and by the age of 24 had secured winning his first English Nationa

Rate