Clark handles life pretty well

Clark Young of Yarrow who won 'Young Handler' at Peebles Show holding Gordon Gray's Textile sheep which won him the competition and also saw him through the qualifiers in Dalkeith. Clark helps out during the Summer at Sunnycroft Farm at Lindean.

When it comes to handling livestock, Selkirk High School teenager Clark Young is in a class of his own.

Clark, who lives in the Yarrow Valley with dad Keith, a shepherd for Buccleuch Estates, and mum, Caroline, was named Regional Sheep Young Handlers’ champion in the under 16 category at this month’s Peebles Show.

Clark has been handling sheep in show rings throughout the summer on behalf of renowned Lindean Texel breeders, Gordon and David Gray.

“I was over the moon to have won the youn handlers title,” Clark told us this week.

“I’ve taken a number of first and second places at various shows and was presented with the trophy at Peebles Show,” added Clark, who is in fourth year at Selkirk High.

“It’s been great fun going to all the different shows and I will still be young enough to compete again in young handlers events next year.”

Asked about his plans for the future, Clark has his sights set on a combination of shepherding, but with a trade, which will probably end up being joinery, to back it up.

“I have grown up learning about sheep thanks to my dad so I suppose it’s natural to want to follow in his footsteps and be a shepherd.

“But I want a trade to fall back on as well and think it will probably be joinery – I think that seems like a sensible idea.”