Hundreds of shepherds and sheep dogs take part in 98th Harden Moss trials

Jun 22 2009 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hundreds of shepherds and sheep dogs take part in 98th Harden Moss trials

HUNDREDS of shepherds and sheepdogs turned out at the weekend for the 98th annual Harden Moss trials.

Working dogs and their owners travelled from far and wide to take part in the famous trials near Holmfirth, one of the oldest of its kind.

This year, handlers and their dogs were spared the normally wild weather conditions of the Greenfield Road showground, as they took part in the three-day trials which finished yesterday.

More than 200 dogs were put through their paces in various classes on Friday and Saturday including, the open class, double dogs, local, nursery and young handlers.

The supreme champions event took place yesterday.

As well as the trials, visitors enjoyed a sheep show, stick making demonstrations, dry stone walling, a vintage tractor display, a hound parade and crafts and food stalls.

Skelmanthorpe ‘B’ Band were also on hand to pipe out some tunes to the crowds. The now popular fell race was won by Matthew Johnson, of Holmfirth Harriers, with top veteran Rob Jackson coming in second.

The first lady home was Katie Walshaw, also of the Harriers.