Churchmount Working Sheepdogs

16 Episodes

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In conversation with Nigel Watkins - No Holds Barred

2020-09-1137:44

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 form with no holds barred! Nigel tells me about how Foot and Mouth disease closed down sheepdog trials in 2001. But it was different then because trials could reopen at any time. ‘Nobody knew when, nothing was cancelled’ . Whereas this time with the Co...

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

2020-09-0136:32

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 and Spot in the 2005 International. I didn’t know that James had won 3 Nationals and has been placed highly in many Supreme finals. I was there to see him in 2015 in Scotland when he placed in the top 5 with Silver. I was in Scotland again last year to s...

In conversation with Mirjam Lettner - Austrian sheepdog handler

2020-09-0140:29

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 it was like to start out as an Austrian sheepdog handler and explains how it came about that she followed her passion to Ireland. This is a great example of what it is possible to achieve in this sport regardless of whether you have any relevant backgr...

In conversation with Alastair MacRae - The MacRae Way

2020-09-0150:37

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 interview. however, the conversation broadened a bit and we went for nearly an hour and a half! In the end, I decided to make it a 3 part conversation. Support the show

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

2020-09-0145:49

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. Serge is one of those handlers who are not dependent on that one good sheepdog coming along and instead, for over 20 years, he has been able to keep coming up with world-class sheepdogs. Serge’s ideas and opinions are not necessarily rules to go by, but...

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