TEENAGE handler Caleb Russell has made a successful first-ever foray into the working sheep dog sales arena.
The 18-year-old, from Oldfield, saw his black-and-white bitch Nell sell for £4,200 at the CCM Skipton Auction Mart event – staged live on the trials field.
Caleb was given Nell – as a gift from his father – when she was a pup, and went on to win several young handler prizes.
After impressing on the sale trials field, Nell was bought by Ribble Valley-based Ian Lancaster, on behalf of a customer.
The Herdwick sheep used for the trials were provided by Carol Mellin, of Moor Lodge Farm, Oakworth.
She herself has been breeding, training and working sheep dogs for many years, competing in trials on a regular basis.
Earlier this month she achieved a notable double, winning both the Yorkshire annual open trial and championship – at Elslack – with Pentre Bet.
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