Sheepdog enthusiasts and patrons who look forward to watching the spectacular show that a good sheep dog and his handler can put on are in for a treat at Sheep 2015. Sheepdog trials and sheepdog training demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day.

The sheepdog trials start at 10am, with a number of international competitors already confirmed to attend. Co-ordinator and well-known sheepdog trials competitor Joe McMonagle advises handlers competing with two or three dogs individually to attend the event for registration before 10am, with handlers competing with one dog advised to attend before 11am.

There will also be a brace demonstration at 2.30pm, where a number of experienced competitors will exhibit two dogs working together. This is trickier to implement but it is a fantastic sight to witness two good dogs instructed by their handler in full flight. For further details, contact 086-3058088.

Trials course

Trialling courses will change depending on the competition and the site. There are a number of common features across competitions with some of those used in Athenry summarised here.

A full list of rules can be found at www.irishnationalsheepdogtrials.org.uk.

  • Outrun: The dog will be sent to the left or right from the starting point and should not stop or slow down until it has reached a point of balance behind the sheep. It should be far enough so as not to overly disturb the sheep and in a good position to advance to the lift stage. Twenty points are up for grabs for the outrun.
  • Lift: In the lift, the dog approaches the sheep smoothly, cautiously and steadily taking control in a firm but quiet manner. The sheep should move in a straight line to the first obstacle and performance is judged out of 10 marks.
  • Fetch: The sheep must be brought in a straight line through the first obstacle and in a straight line towards the handler with 20 marks available.
  • Drive: The drive has the most marks of 30 and starts when sheep have passed behind the handler/marker. Sheep are guided between or around gates/obstacles and dogs are marked on their control of sheep on the straight and around turns.
  • Shed: While only worth 10 marks, this is a very entertaining aspect for patrons with the dog required to shed or separate marked or unmarked sheep and show they are in control of them.
  • Pen: The last part, worth 10 marks, includes the dog reuniting the sheep and bringing them towards the pen. The handler goes towards the pen and opens the gate and closes after the dog pens the sheep.

    • Eamonn Egan of the Rockland Sheepdog Training Centre in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, returns to Sheep 2015, having previously attracted large crowds to his sheepdog training demonstrations at Sheep 2010 and Sheep 2012. The sheepdog training demonstrations come with a twist; it is not just the dog Eamonn offers to train – he also gives advice to the handler.

    Eamonn explains that it is often the handler rather than the dog who needs to learn. He says that sometimes all that is required to get the best out of a dog and help them to achieve their full potential is a few tweaks in the performance of the handler. Tips given on the day will include advice for beginners with a young or untrained dog to more advanced commands for advanced handlers and their dogs.