National Trials

National Trials are held by the International Sheepdog Society and a supporting committee annually each summer in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

During the three days of the National Singles Trials, handlers will run 150 dogs over the course. Each handler can enter a maximum of three dogs, but only two of these may run, the third being an ‘alternate’ dog who may be substituted for one of the two.  A maximum of nine entries are accepted for each National Brace (Doubles) competition. The handler’s aim is to gain a place in their National Team to represent their Nation at the Society’s annual International Trial. Each National Singles Team has Fifteen places and one Reserve place, and the Brace team consists of the first two prize winners, so competition is fierce.

Singles

National Singles Trials are run over a 400 yard course with five sheep, containing the standard elements (activities), and the maximum points achievable for the perfect run is 220, 110 points per judge, broken down into each of the elements as follows:

Outrun

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 20)

Lift

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Fetch

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 20)

Drive

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 30)

Shed

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Pen

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Single

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 110)

Two judges score each of the elements that the dog completes, allowing a maximum time of 15 minutes to complete all of the tasks.

 

Brace (Doubles)

Additionally there will be a Brace (doubles) competition, where handlers will run two dogs, working with twice the number of sheep. The same tasks are required as for those of the singles, and judges will award points in the same way. However, the maximum points achievable for the perfect run increases to 280, 140 points per judge, this takes into consideration the additional dog that will complete an independent outrun, lift and pen.

Outrun - Dog 1

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 20)

Outrun - Dog 2

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 20)

Lift - Dog 1

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Lift - Dog 2

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Fetch

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 20)

Drive

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 30)

Shed

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Pen - Dog 1

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Pen - Dog 2

(Maximum points awarded per judge = 10)

Two judges score each of the elements that the dogs complete, allowing a maximum time of 20 minutes to complete all of the tasks.

 

 

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