The 4th Mediterranean Championship was held in Italy, and for the 3d time Nell was representing France. The trial was held only one week after the French nationals, so it was a bit rough to only have a couple of days to go home and repack before heading out for another 1000-km drive. But the organisation was top, the sheep great, the panoramic view over the Dolomite mountains spectacular and and the main field offered a daunting outrun of 700 meters. Nell was as sharp as ever and easily made it to the double fetch final where she put in a good, completed run without any big hick-ups, but the competition was formidable and we didn't make it into the top. We were however delighted that it was
4 different qualifier trials held all over France during the summer 2019 decided which dogs were called upon to represent France in the world trial 2020. In the last world trial, 2017, both Jim and Nell were in the French team and it would have been so nice to have their son Skye follow in their paw-steps. But it has been another disastrous year for farmers in France, with a second year of extreme heat and drought in a row, so it was difficult to find the time and farm sitters needed to drive thousands of kilometers and be away from the farm 4 days every time, not to mention to train and prepare beforehand, so I had pretty much given up hope. But not so Skye! He took things in his own paws a
