Welcome
The Event
The International Sheep Dog Trial, the pinnacle in the sheep dog trialling calendar, is to be held on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September 2017 at Lodge Park, Northleach, Gloucestershire. During the 3 days the top 60 handlers, made up of teams of 15 handlers and their dogs from each of the nations, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will be competing against each other to determine an overall 'International Supreme Champion'. All handlers are seeking to win this prestigious individual award, however there is also the team competition, and the individuals will have a strong desire for their nation to win this.
Day 1 and 2 of the event consists of the 60 handlers competing to qualify for a place within the Supreme Championship, which is held on day 3. The Supreme Competition is restricted to the 15 highest pointed dogs from the Qualifying Trials irrespective of Country or Class.
In addition to the Supreme Championship, the Brace Championship and Young Handler Competition will take place.
Sheep dog trialling is a long established event, and the International championship, as a trial, has been held annually (with exception of the war years and during the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001) since 1906, therefore marking 111 years this year.
The purpose of a Sheep Dog Trial is to test the abilities of the best working dogs, in an environment close to true working life. The UK is very much the ‘’kennel of the world’’ as far as the working sheepdog is concerned.
The International Sheep Dog Trial will attract audiences from all over the world, with anticipated visitor numbers of 15,000 during the 3 days of trialling.
In addition to the trialling there will be a number of trade stands and a modest craft fair.
History of Lodge Park
We are very fortunate to hold the 2017 International Sheep Dog Trial at Lodge Park, an area of such outstanding natural beauty. Previous to this the English National Sheep Dog Trials have been held at Lodge Park in both 1983 and 1994.
Lodge Park is part of the Sherborne Estate which is owned by the National Trust. To have a dog related sport returning to Lodge Park is in line with its heritage. The Lodge at Lodge Park was originally built by the Dutton family in 1620/30 as a viewing gallery for deer coursing. It is thought to have been designed by Valentine Strong. The parkland where the trial will be taking place was acquired by the Dutton Family around the same time and established as a walled park. The park was further enlarged and improved by John Dutton with the services of Charles Bridgeman from 1723-1743. Ownership passed from Lord Sherborne to The National Trust in 1982. The land is now farmed organically by the Wills Family.
It is with the kind permission of the National Trust that we are able to hold the International Sheep Dog Trials at Lodge Park.
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