Farmer's world sheepdog win No 2

Aled Owen said it was a "fantastic end" to the championship

Farmer Aled Owen has scooped his second World Sheepdog Championship in his native Wales after a close finish to the contest.

Mr Owen, from Corwen, Denbighshire, and his sheepdog Roy were one point ahead of Netherlands rival Ron Snoeck.

He won his first world trophy the last time it was staged in Wales, six years ago in Bala, Gwynedd.

Mr Owen explained there was also only one point in his first triumph, saying: "I don't do it easy for myself, do I."

He triumphed this time after more than 240 dogs and handlers from 22 nations competed in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

Mr Owen had been among the favourites to regain the 2008 Land Rover World Sheepdog Trials title over the four-day contest at Dinefwr Park.

I've walked miles, couldn't eat, couldn't stand still.... waiting for the result Aled Owen

"Yes, it's a fantastic end to the championship," he said.

"It was very close, only one merit point between Ron and myself, too close for comfort

"I've walked miles, couldn't eat, couldn't stand still.... waiting for the result."

First time round Mr Owen won with a different sheepdog, Bob.

He paid tribute to his latest winner Roy, saying he "worked very hard over the last days in the qualifiers, semi-final and the final."

Sixteen competitors had reached the final stages after preliminary rounds on Thursday and Friday, and a semi-final on Saturday.

Whistle

At the close of the competition, both Mr Owen and Mr Snoek were level on 583 points.

That meant that the four judges then had to make a decision based on merit points.

Only one merit point separated them, with the Welshman on 61 and the Dutchman on 60. Stuart Davidson from Scotland was third.

Mr Owen received £3,000, a solid gold shepherd's whistle specially commissioned by the International Sheep Dog Society's main sponsor, Gilbertson and Page, and a gold medal.

The event is staged every three years and attracted contestants from countries as varied as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Norway, and the United States.