Churchmount Working Sheepdogs
Welcome to the Churchmount Working Sheepdogs podcast. In this series, I interview handlers and experts from Ireland and around the world about their experiences. The series aims to spark new ideas for training and handling and to share both my experiences and the experiences of my guests. You can support us on Patreon: patreon.com/churchmountsheepdogs and keep up to date on our website at: churchmountsheepdogs.ie. The series is in part sponsored by Away With Dogs, a new Sheepdog Trial YouTube series. Find out more at awaywithdogs.co.uk.
Episodes
16 episodes
In conversation with Nigel Watkins - No Holds Barred
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...
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37:44
In conversation with James McGee - Talking focus, staying inside the boundaries and hitting the goal in sheepdog training
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...
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36:32
In conversation with Mirjam Lettner - Austrian sheepdog handler
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 ...
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40:29
In conversation with Alastair MacRae - The MacRae Way
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 ...
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50:37
In conversation with Serge Van Der Sweep - Preparing for the World Sheepdog Trial
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.<...
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45:49
In conversation with Tony Rofe - Round pen expert
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...
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27:56
In conversation with Sue Main - Author and international sheepdog trial judge
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 internation...
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19:05
In conversation with Neil Gillon - Trial cancellations & Brexit
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...
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8:10
In conversation with Toddy Lambe - World Sheepdog Trial finalist
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 ...
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21:52
In conversation with John McCullough - Gill Hall
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...
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13:00
In conversation with Ian O'Carroll - Glan Y Gors Sheepdogs
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...
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13:58
In conversation with Erik Holmgaard - Insights from a world class handler
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
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9:14
In conversation with Dr Viola Hebeler - A veterinary surgeon’s approach to sheepdog training
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.Vi...
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18:19
In conversation with Con McGarry - renowned Irish handler
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...
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33:32
In conversation with Aled Owen - Foot & Mouth and discontinued trials
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...
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29:35
In conversation with Michael Longton - 4th generation sheepdog handler
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...
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45:47