“We were delighted with the results,” said 13-year-old competitor Shannon Conn from Magilligan, Co Derry. “I’ve been involved for three years now and will be starting my fourth season this Christmas, so this is a fantastic result.”

Shannon says she has a really good connection with her dog, Bill, who was given to her as a Christmas present from her father.

Shannon and John both agree that the course at Chirk Castle was particularly difficult due to the layout and the unusual breed of sheep.

“While the weather was good, the sheep didn’t like the downhill part of the course,” said John, from Annalong Co Down, who has been involved in the sport for years. “The sheep were difficult to work too and the dogs weren’t used to the black Zwartble crosses.”

Shannon identified the Scottish young handler, Joe McKenzie, as her main competition in the young handlers’ class on the day. But she gave some advise to other young handlers out there.

“Don’t give up, you will always have some good days and some bad days,” said Shannon. “The amount of time you put in determines what you will get out of it.”

The competition was held at Chirk Castle near Wrexham in north Wales and the four teams were England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. There was a senior and junior partner for each team and their respective dogs. Each competitor had already been crowned as national champion on their home turf.