Trials Diary
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The biggest trials in the UK and Ireland are the ISDS National and International Trials, held every year. There is also the ISDS World Trial, held every three years, the next being in 2020.
There are hundreds of local trials held every year, ranging from small events with few facilities up to medium and large size events with catering and often other side events to keep the interest not only of dedicated sheepdog people but also of the more cosmopolitan members of the general public.
Please Note For a trial to be considered a Qualifying Trial for a National Trial it must not be run as part of a novice or nursery trial and it must be open to all with no unreasonable restriction or qualification, either geographical or in any other way. A minimum of 25 dogs must compete at the Trial. The course must be a National style course that includes a drive element. The trial must be advertised on the ISDS website at least one week before the trial date, or details published in a copy of the local agricultural press (in Southern Ireland this being the Farmers Journal) with publication being on a date before the trial date.
NOTE: Where a Trial is advertised as a Single Session, and then run as Two Sessions (morning & afternoon) ONLY the morning session will be considered as a Qualifying Trial for the Nationals
Please email details of your trials as soon as possible to [email protected], giving date, venue, how to get there and postcode if possible (for Sat Nav users), type of trial (Open, Novice, Nursery, Brace etc), whether entries are on the field or in advance, and a contact phone number (and email if available).
SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary
September 2018
Fri 21st
Fri 21st
Helsfell Open
Location: Kendal off A5284, north west of Kendall, LA9 5EZ
8.30am Start, Pre Entry first 50 dogs, those with more than 1 dog to be booked in by 12. Last booking by 2pm ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Fri 21st
Sat 22nd
East Anglia Sheep Dog Society Open/Novice Trial
Location: Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, IP9 2AB
8.30 am start Full details
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Cornwall SDS - Tremeer Trial
Location: Trewinnow Farm, Davidstow, PL32 9YA (off the old aerodrome)
Start 9.30am, Entries on field, Open Driving, Novice Mx, Open Mx Full details
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
Carrick Sheep Dog Trials
Location: Farden Farm, Dailly, By Girvan, KA26 9LB
Entries on the field. Starting 9am £5 per dog Full details
Sat 22nd
Hayfield SDT - Nursery, Novice & Beginner
Location: Grousefield, SK13 6JY off the A624 between Glossop and Hayfield, Derbyshire
9.00am Start, Enter on field, £6 per dog ( ALSO 29th SEPT) Full details
Sat 22nd
Rainow Charity Hill Trial
Location: Summerclose Farm, Saltersford, Rainow, Macclesfield, SK10 5XL
8.00am Start, ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Sat 22nd
Rainow Charity Hill Trial - 1000 yd + gather
Location: Summerclose Farm, Saltersford, SK10 5XL
Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept. Full details
Sat 22nd
Sat 22nd
North of Ireland Sheepdog Society - Shilnavogie Amateur Sheepdog Trial
Location: John Davidson, 21 Shilnavogie Road, Glenarm, BT44 0BP
12.00 Noon Start, (Strictly Amateur) Entries on the day, All Proceeds in Aid of Charity Full details
Sun 23rd
East Anglia Sheep Dog Society Open/Novice Trial
Location: Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, IP9 2AB
8.30 am start ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Sun 23rd
Sun 23rd
ASSEESDS Open & Novice
Location: Plumpton College, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE
ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Sun 23rd
Cornwall SDS - Trewiggetts Trial
Location: Trewinnow Farm, Davidstow, PL32 9YA (off the old aerodrome)
Start 9.30 am, Entries on Field. Open Driving, Novice Mx, Open Mx Full details
Sun 23rd
Sun 23rd
Lintrathen Open Sheep Dog Trials
Location: Easter Coul Farm, Lintrathen, Angus, DD8 5JR
8.00 am start, enter on field. Catering on field. Full details
Sun 23rd
Rainow Charity Hill Trial
Location: Summerclose Farm, Saltersford, Rainow, Macclesfield, SK10 5XL
8.00am Start, ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Sun 23rd
Rainow Charity Hill Trial - 1000 yd + gather
Location: Summerclose Farm, Saltersford, SK10 5XL
Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept. Full details
Sun 23rd
Slacksdale - Nursery, Novice & Beginner
Location: Slacksdale, Peak Forest, Derbyshire, SK17 8EP
Enter on field by 1pm Full details
Mon 24th
Nidderdale Show
Location: Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
Open, Brace & Young Handler. 9.00 am start, those running two dogs must book one in before 12 noon. ENTRY CLOSED Full details
Tue 25th
Helsfell Nursery /Young Handler
Location: Off A5284 between Kendal and Plumgarths Roundabout, north west Kendal, Cumbria
9.30 am Start,last book in 2pm unless dogs are still running. venue could be moved to Otterbank Full details
Wed 26th
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Devon & Exmoor SDS - Woolhanger Hill Trial
Location: Parracombe, N. Devon EX31 4RF (signed from A39 - Blackmoor Gate & Lynton) by kind permission of Mrs G Melstrom
Start 9.00 am, Entries close 15th Sept, Open Driving, Challenging course more suited to experienced dogs Full details
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Northern Ireland Sheep Dog Handlers Association - Eastern Region Nursery Trial
Location: Ballymullock Road, Larne
10.00 am start Full details
Sat 29th
Holme Sheep Dog Society - Open
Location: The Ram Inn, Cliviger, Burnley Road, BB10 4SU
8.30 am start Full details
Sat 29th
Northern Ireland Sheep Dog Handlers Association - Western Region Nursery
Location: At Davy Cahoon's, Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore
Start 10.00 am Full details
Sat 29th
Sat 29th
Dalrymple Show Open Trial
Location: Cairnhill Farm, Kirkmichael KA19 7LA
Entry in the field, 9am start Full details
Sat 29th
Hayfield Sheep Dog Club
Location: Grousefield, SK13 6JY
9.00 am Start, Enter on Field, £6 per dog, Nursery / Novice / Beginner Full details
Sun 30th
Sun 30th
Midshires Sheep Dog Society - Open /Novice Trial
Location: Ashurst Farm, Coalpit Lane, Wolvey, Hinckley, Leics LE10 3HD
Pre Entry Full details
Sun 30th
Devon & Exmoor Seepdog Society - Woolhanger Hill Trial
Location: Parracombe, N. Devon EX31 4RF (signed from A39 - Blackmoor Gate & Lynton) by kind permission of Mrs G Melstrom
Start 9.00 am, Entries close 15th Sept, Open Driving, Challenging course more suited to experienced dogs Full details
Sun 30th
Sun 30th
Open & Intermediate Sheep Dog Trials
Location: Riverview, Crosmolina, Co Mayo
9.30 am start, 2 or more dogs before 12 noon. Full details
Sun 30th
Abington Sheep Dog Trial
Location: ML12 6SE
Entry on field, £5 per dog. 8.00 am start, no double dogs after 1.00 pm. Rolls etc available. Full details
Sun 30th
English National 2019 Fundraiser Open
Location: Lodge Farm, Myerscough College - entry by the beef unit entrance opposite Lodge Farm Livery. Catering & toilets on site.
8.30 am start Full details
Sun 30th
Swyddffynnon SDT
Location: SY25 6AL
8.00am Start, Enter on field, Double Gather, Catering Full details
Sun 30th
Fund raising Open for the National
Location: Myerscough College, Lodge Farm, entry via beet unit opposite Lodge Livery Yard, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RT, more details below
Pre-entry first 50 dogs to S Hatton 074811 55828 Full details
Sun 30th
Windermere Nursery Society - Brathay Nursery
Location: Clappersgate, Near Ambleside, junction of the road to Skelwith (Bog Lane) off the B5286 to Hawkeshead Rd
9.30am Start. Last book in 2pm unless dogs are still running. inc New/Young Handler Full details
October 2018
Wed 3rd
Sat 6th
East Anglian Sheepdog Society Open/Novice Trial
Location: Ickworth Park, Horringer, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
8.30 am start Full details
Sat 6th
Sat 6th
Sat 6th
Sat 6th
Devon & Exmoor SDS - Bishopstone Charity DST
Location: Bishopstone, Salisbury, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs R Hawke
Start 8.00am, Open Driving, Entries close 22nd Sept, Refreshments available Full details
Sat 6th
Bishopstone Open & Novice
Location: Bishopstone, Nr Salisbury SP5 4LN- signposted from the A354 south of Coombe Bassett
8.00am Start, Limited to 55 dogs Full details
Sat 6th
Sat 6th
Glenarriffe Sheep Dog Trial
Location: Glen Road, Waterfoot
8.30 am start. Intermediate & Open Classes. Entries on field - 3 dogs up to 10.00 am, 2 dogs up to 12.00 noon, 1 dog thereafter. Full details
Sat 6th
Windermere Nursery Society - Totterbank Nursery
Location: Crosthwaite, Near postcode LA8 9AY
9.30am, Last book in 2pm unless dogs are still running. inc New/Young Handler Full details
Sun 7th
East Anglia Sheep Dog Society Open/Novice Trial
Location: Ickworth Park, Horringer, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
8.30 am start Full details
Sun 7th
Devon & Exmoor SDS - Bishopstone Charity DST
Location: Bishopstone, Salisbury, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs R Hawke
Start 8.00am, Double Fetch, Entries close 22nd Sept, Refreshments available Full details
Sun 7th
Bishopstone Double Gather
Location: Bishopstone, Nr Salisbury SP5 4LN- signposted from the A354 south of Coombe Bassett
8.00am Start. Limited to 40 dogs. Full details
Sun 7th
Sun 7th
Osberton Sheep Dog Trial
Location: Osberton Estate, Worksop
Double gather Open Trial. First 30 dogs. No entries accepted until 1st September. One entrant, one dog. Entry fee £10 per dog. Full details
Sun 7th
Scalspie Sheepdog Trial
Location: Scalspie Farm Isle of Bute PA20 0QA
Open Trial. Entry in the field Full details
Sun 7th
Twiston Open Trial
Location: Lower Twiston, BB7 4DD
9.00am Start, Entry on field. Last booking in time 2 pm. If running 2 dogs one to be booked in before 11.00 am. Catering Full details
Sat 13th
Sat 13th
Cornwall SDS - Blisland Trial
Location: Hamatethy, St Breward, Bodmin, PL30 4PN (off the B3266 near St. Breward )
Start 9.30am, Entries on field, Open Driving, Novice Mx, Open Mx Full details
Sat 13th
Sat 13th
Sat 13th
Northern Ireland Sheep Dog Handlers Association - Eastern Region Nursery Trial
Location: Glen Road, Waterfoot
10.00 am start Full details
Sat 13th
Sun 14th
East Anglia Sheep Dog Society - Open Championship
Location: TBC
Open to all handers placed 1st - 6th in any of our Open Trials this season Full details
Sun 14th
Sun 14th
Cornwall SDS - Hamatethy Trial incorporating the Cornish Novice Run -off
Location: Hamatethy, St Breward, Bodmin, PL30 4 PN 9off the B3266 near St. Breward )
Start 9.30 am, Entries on Field. Open Driving, Novice Mx, Open Mx Full details
Sun 14th
Northumberland Open SDT,
Location: Portgate Farm, HEXHAM, NE46 4NF
If running two dogs or more dogs, they must be booked in by 10-30 Full details
Wed 17th
Winderemere Nursery Society -Totterbank Nursery
Location: Crosthwaite, Near postcode LA8 9AY
9.30am Start, Last book in 2 pm unless dogs are still running. Inc New/Young Handler Full details
Sat 20th
Sat 20th
Sun 21st
Sun 21st
Windermere Nursery Society - Matson Ground Nursery
Location: Follow the B5284 from Plumgarths Roudabout, through Crook for a few miles. Trial will be signposted. (near to Heathwaite)
9.30am Start, Last book in 2 pm unless dogs are still running. Inc New/Young Handler Full details
Sun 21st
Kirkconnel and Sanquhar Sheep Dog Trial (Open)
Location: Carco Farm, Sanquhar, DG4 6EY
Entry on field, £5 per dog 8am start Full details
Sat 27th
Sat 27th
Team Trial - East Anglia, Mid Shires, Romney Marsh, Surrey, Sussex & Wessex, hosted by Surrey
Location: TBC
Sat 27th
Cornwall SDS - Pennare Trial
Location: Pennare Farm, Veryan, TR2 5PH (Off the A3078 near Veryan)
Start 9.30 am, Entries Close 15th October, Open Driving, Novice Mx, Open Mx Full details
Sat 27th
Barr Sheep Dog Trial (Hill Trial)
Location: Lanes Farm, Barr, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9TH
9.00 am start, entries on field - £5. 700 yard outrun hill course. Catering on field. Full details
Sun 28th
Cornwall SDS - Veryan Trial
Location: Pennare Farm, Veryan, TR2 5PH (Off the A3078 near Veryan)
Start 9.00am, Entries Close 15th October, Double Fetch Full details
Sun 28th
Bradley Field Open. Kendal
Location: From Kendal Town centre follow signs for Crosthwaite, nearest postcode LA8 5RP
8.30 am start. Pre entry 2 dogs per handler. 1st 45 dogs to either Full details
Tue 30th
Windermere Nursery Society - Bradley Field Nursery
Location: Off Underbarrow Road between Kendall and Crosthwaite. Near postcode LA8 5RP
9.30am Start. Last book in 2pm unless dogs are still running. inc New/Young Handler Full details
November 2018
Sat 3rd
Cornwall SDS - Champions of Champions
Location: Venue TBC
Start 12 noon - Entries by invitation only. Driving and Maltese Full details
Sat 3rd
Sun 4th
Sat 17th
Sat 17th
Sun 18th
Mon 19th
Cornwall SDS - Champions of Champions
Location: Venue TBC
Start 12 noon - Entries by invitation only Full details
December 2018
Sat 1st
Sat 1st
Sun 2nd
Sat 8th
Sat 8th
Sat 8th
Somerset Christmas Trial
Location: Bellvue Farm, Nempnett Thrubwell, North Somerset, BS40 7XD, by kind permission of Rich & Tracey Stock
Start 9.00am, Maltese X and Drive. Entries on field in person before 12 noon, limited to 2 dogs per handler. There will be a raffle so donations of prizes would be much appreciated. Refreshments available Full details
Sat 15th
Sat 15th
Sun 16th
Thu 27th
Fri 28th
Sun 30th
Barford Meadows Christmas Charity Open Trial
Location: off the A43 near Kettering, Northants - nearest postcode NN14 1UD
Pre-entry, max 3 dogs per handler, £10 per run including lunch & refreshments. Full details
January 2019
Sun 6th
Sat 19th
Sun 20th
February 2019
Sat 9th
Sun 10th
Sat 23rd
July 2019
Sat 6th
Buchanan Sheep Dog Society - 64th Annual Sheep Dog Trial
Location: Creityhall Farm, Milton of Buchanan, Drymen, G63 0JA
70 dogs (entered only) Full details
