Every year, 150 of the top dogs across Ireland and the Isle of Man compete to be crowned Irish national champion. The top 15 dogs and their handlers will be rewarded with the honour of representing Ireland in the international championships this September.
This year, the competition is being held on the Venney farm in Minserstown road, Downpatrick. Trials each day will begin at 8am and run throughout the day, finishing around 6pm.
Competition outline
The competition follows a simple format with the brace competition taking place at lunchtime every day with five dogs making up the final. Three competitors will take the stage each day, each handling two dogs in a battle for two places in a run-off on the Saturday evening to become the Irish national brace champion and runner-up.
Bernard Venney, on whose land the event is taking place, with council vice-chair Terry Andrews and Councillor Leeanne McEvoy from event sponsors NMD Council and Susan Venney from Glen Farm Supplies.
The event is always well represented by the local sheepdog community with a host of previous Irish national champions, competitors and team members, including John Maginn, Allister Lyttle and Susan Venney to name a few.
All will showcase their talents against well-known handlers from the four corners of Ireland and the Isle of Man in an attempt to earn themselves a place on the prestigious Irish team. The competition will also see last year’s national and international brace champion John Maginn attempt to retain his national title.
The event is organised by the local committee, which is currently being chaired by Allister Lyttle.
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Every year, 150 of the top dogs across Ireland and the Isle of Man compete to be crowned Irish national champion. The top 15 dogs and their handlers will be rewarded with the honour of representing Ireland in the international championships this September.
This year, the competition is being held on the Venney farm in Minserstown road, Downpatrick. Trials each day will begin at 8am and run throughout the day, finishing around 6pm.
Competition outline
The competition follows a simple format with the brace competition taking place at lunchtime every day with five dogs making up the final. Three competitors will take the stage each day, each handling two dogs in a battle for two places in a run-off on the Saturday evening to become the Irish national brace champion and runner-up.
Bernard Venney, on whose land the event is taking place, with council vice-chair Terry Andrews and Councillor Leeanne McEvoy from event sponsors NMD Council and Susan Venney from Glen Farm Supplies.
The event is always well represented by the local sheepdog community with a host of previous Irish national champions, competitors and team members, including John Maginn, Allister Lyttle and Susan Venney to name a few.
All will showcase their talents against well-known handlers from the four corners of Ireland and the Isle of Man in an attempt to earn themselves a place on the prestigious Irish team. The competition will also see last year’s national and international brace champion John Maginn attempt to retain his national title.
The event is organised by the local committee, which is currently being chaired by Allister Lyttle.
Read more
Application deadline looms for organic farm walk entries
NI distributors urged to prepare for no-deal
IFA members free to join factory protests and withhold cattle
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