Richard Hutchinson, from Littledale in Lancashire, is a seasoned English team member who continues a rich family tradition of top level sheepdog trialling. Richard’s father’s uncle was Harry Huddleston who won the English National and was Reserve Supreme Champion in 1972 with Udale Sim. Distant cousins include the Longton’s. Perhaps there is something in the water, but the area of Lancashire where Richard was born and still lives today is home to some of the most well-known current and past names in English trialling circles.
Littledale is near the River Lune and within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Forest of Bowland is an area of barren gritstone fells, deep valleys and peat moorland. The origins of the name "Bowland" have nothing to do with archery (“the land of the bow”). The name derives from the Old Norse boga-/bogi-, meaning a “bend in a river”. It is a 10th century name given to describe the topography of the Hodder basin, with its characteristic meandering river and streams. The Forest of Bowland is nationally and internationally important for its upland bird populations, and it also contains the geographic centre of Great Britain. As mentioned, it is a hotbed for sheepdog triallists.
Richard was raised on the family farm where he still lives and works with this father. Although he has shepherded elsewhere, the family farm is where Richard has tied one end of the thread of life. He has grown up around dogs and his father is a very keen and extremely knowledgeable dog man, although he rarely runs at trials.
The first dog Richard ran at trials was off Paul Turnbull’s Nap. Richard confesses to not being very good at that point. Next up was a little rocket of a bitch called Hanna (Peg) who was off David Brady’s Craig. This honest little bitch, who would give her all each and every time, took Richard to his first English team cap in 2002 and they narrowly missed making the Supreme Final. They made the team again in 2003. Hanna has left her mark. She has bred five litters and from each litter has come trial winners, most notably English National Champion Paul Turnbull’s Mirk, and Tot, with whom Richard won the English Brace Championship in 2008. Tot is now with TW Longton and performing well.
Richard likes an honest type of dog. As he astutely points out, “all dogs have faults but if they are trying to help, I can forgive them. “ A little bit of style, a dog with character, and one with a turn of speed when needed, are also desirable traits to Richard. Although he does not like a weak dog, he says a weak dog with a good character will generally find a way to get the job done. Well said.
Richard’s current dogs are Wenndale Roy and Roy’s son, Sweep. Roy is a son of Richard Briggs' Bill, who himself is a son of Robin Dean’s Roy. Wenndale Roy’s mother’s line goes back to Harry Huddleston’s Udale Sim lines. Of the two, Richard says both have a lot of style and are tremendous in the shedding ring. Where Roy is a good follower of sheep and has great quiet power, Sweep gives the sheep more room and is a free flanker with plenty of head to head power. In preparing for the World Trial, Richard will be brushing up on the basics but otherwise just running the dogs as he normally would at that time of year. Good luck, Richard.