With less than a week to go till the International Sheep Dog Trials take place at Meikleholm, Courance, half way between Moffat and Dumfries, competitors from across Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland are making their preparations and finalising their training in the hope of securing a Championship title at the most prestigious sheep dog trials competition in the world.
The International comes to Dumfries & Galloway at a time when the profile of sheep dog trialling has never been higher. The 2.5 million people who tune into ITV’s Flockstars every week get a glimpse of the skill and the training that goes into handling top sheep dogs; but visitors to the Internationals next week will see the real thing.
Each of the four national teams comprise 15 dog handlers with their dogs, selected after hotly contested national trials which took place earlier this summer. The ultimate accolade is to become top dog – the Supreme International Sheep Dog Trials Champion 2015.
One team member from each country will compete in the Brace Competition, but it is the four Young Handlers carrying the torch for the future of the sport some of the keenest eyes will be on, as they each take up the challenge of becoming International Young Handler, among them Dumfries & Galloway’s Andrew Mair, representing Scotland with his dog Wispa.
With less than a week to go online ticket sales have now closed but there are plenty of tickets available at the gate, priced at only £8 per adult, with free entry for children (and dogs!).
Over the next week DGWGO will bring you all the latest news about what you can expect to see at the International Trials, including a preview of the Saturday Countryside Fair, packed with family fun.
