PETER Morgan from Kilcoo is currently preparing to take part in his second international sheep dog trials in the space of four years, following a successful competition in Donegal recently.
The sheepdog handler won first place in the singles class in Clonmany on August 26 at the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials.
The yearly event sees 150 sheepdogs and their handlers competing for the opportunity to represent Ireland at the international trials, which this year take place in Lanarkshire, Scotland, next week.
Peter told the Mourne Observer: “I was delighted to win the run-off which got me the captain’s position.
“It is very difficult to get on the Irish team. To be crowned captain is an honour.
“County Down are very successful in the sheepdog trials and have some very good handlers.
“There has been a few handlers in County Down who have won the National title. John McGinn and Frankie McCullough have both won it.
“To get your name on the cup and the shield alongside good handlers like that, and other good handlers from Ireland, is a dream come true.”
The competition was also full of promising young talent, with Oisin McCullough from County Down, and dog Jan, taking home the Tim Flood Perpetual Award for the best young handler.
The captain title is won by the best handler and dog from the 150 who take part.
Peter also won that honour back in 2021.
“I didn’t think I would ever win it again, but there you go.”
The sheep dog trials take place across three days, with 50 dogs competing each day.
The best dog and handler from each day competes in a run-off, and the best of those three takes the title of Ireland team captain.
He credits his dog Bob as a major reason for his success.
“On the day he was just on fire.
“He was prepared right for the event. Sometimes you can underprepare or overprepare. But in this instance, he was just bang on.”
Bob is a three-and-a-half-year-old Welsh bred and has really impressed his handler.
Peter said: “To win the National at three and a half speaks for itself. Usually when dogs turn four or five-year-old they come into their prime.
“I am delighted with Bob. He is a great listener and can read stock.
“He works with me. He makes the job easy for me.
“He is not like other dogs where you have to cover up a problem. Bob would be out to help you from the start of the run till the finish.”
Peter is part of a team which includes handlers from all over Ireland.
They will take on teams from England, Scotland and Wales.
Those four teams of 15 battle it out to see who makes the supreme final. The best 15 runs of that qualifying make the supreme.
“That’s the goal for everyone. I got to that supreme final once before, in 2021, and was second in it, which is the reserve supreme champion.”
Peter explained that preparation for trial events takes place all year.
“All year you have to keep in the back of your mind about these events. When you are doing the work on the farm you have to think of the Nationals.
“You have to keep the dogs fit. That is important prior to these big events.
“When they are fit they are sharp and working with you.
“They can sense what is happening and they can predict what you need.
“A dog that is unfit can be sluggish. The sheep can catch on to that.
“If you have a good bond with your dog then that is a big part of the success.”
He added that in order to be successful it helps to have a bit of luck.
“The sheep can make it easy or difficult. If you have got a batch of sheep that are not cooperating, then your work can multiply.”
He added that the lessons he has learned from competing is that it is best to control your emotions.
“All you can do is stay calm on the course as much as you can.
“If you let the nerves get the better of you then it goes through to the dog and he won’t cooperate the same way.”
Peter and his family will travel to Scotland to enjoy the event, and he is looking forward to the trip.
“You can wait quite a few years to get to this stage, it is hard to get there.”
The International Sheepdog Trials take place in Lanarkshire, Scotland, from September 12 to 14.
