A WEST Linton sheepdog handler has been named the winner of a new memorial award.

During a showcase event of the Lanark, Lothians and Peebles Sheepdog trials in Heriot last Sunday, 22-year-old Karen Aitcheson, was presented with the Young Sheepdog Handler accolade.

The prize was set up by Suffolk farmer Stephen Cobbald, in memory of his daughter Charlotte who tragically died at the age of 17 in 2014.

The pair regularly visited the trials and Mr Cobbald has donated £12,500 over a 10-year period to provide training to young handlers.

Karen, a veterinary nurse who works in St Boswells, told us: “I am delighted to have been given this award and learnt so much from the training about how to handle the natural abilities of the dogs as well as gaining a great deal of confidence from the supportive atmosphere.

“One aspect I valued was learning how to use the dog’s initiative rather than training it to wait for a command.”

Fraser Murray, who is originally from the Highlands, but now works in West Linton was announced as runner up, along with Welshman Sion Morgan, who is now working in Galashiels.

At the event, handlers had to demonstrate their skills and each gave a brief summing up of what they felt they had learnt and how they hoped to progress.

And at the end, the winners and two runners up each received a specially crafted and engraved whistle along with a commemorative certificate.

Stephen Cobbald said: “Lanark, Lothians and Peebles Sheepdog League made Charlotte and myself very welcome, and I want to do something that will contribute to the future skills and development of young handlers in this region.

“Charlotte benefited from the club in many ways as well as from the specialist tuition of Julie Hill, who is the designated trainer for the award.”

The league has been running from the 1972/73 season and has helped develop a host of handlers who went on to become national winners.

Davie Wallace, the chair of the Lanark, Lothians and Peebles league, added: “This has been a terrific opportunity for the club and we are very grateful to Stephen Cobbald for his generous sponsorship that helps us help young handlers to take the first steps towards gaining the skills and confidence to trial.

“The Young Handler Award is a catalyst that gives youngsters the impetus to get involved.

“At Lanark, Lothians and Peebles Sheepdog League we have an open, inclusive and sociable culture and are very keen to develop young talent and encourage new handlers.

“One of our other more experienced young handlers, Kelly Blackwood has now been trialling for a few years and was Reserve for our League’s Nursery Team at the Scottish Nursery Final in 2015 and won our Novice League in 2016.

“We have a depth of experience in our club, many of whom compete at the Scottish National; some of whom have represented Scotland and competed at International and World Trials, including two International Supreme Champions (Bobby Henderson, Julie Hill) and International Brace Champions (Julie Hill, George Gardner).

“However, we always emphasise to young and new handlers that they should not feel intimidated by so many experts because in dog handling and dog trialling, things can and do go wrong for even the best handlers. At the end of the day we are all working with animals.”