Mar 21, 2009


South Tipp farm to host national sheepdog trials

The Irish National Sheepdog Trials will be held at the farm of Jim English, Rehill, Ballylooby, from Thursday, 30th July to Saturday, 1st August 2009. This is the premier event in the Irish Sheepdog calendar for 2009 and will see the top 150 sheepdogs and handlers from all over Ireland and The Isle of Man compete for the coveted 15 places on the Irish team to represent Ireland in the International Sheepdog Trials in September.
Approximately 50 Singles competitors will run each day. There will be a Brace (doubles) competition on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with three pairs of dogs and handlers competing daily for two places on the Irish team to join the 15 Singles winners on the team going to the Internationa event which will be held in Lowther, Cumbria.

At the press launch for the Irish event, Jim English welcomed everyone to his farm and said he was delighted that his farm was chosen to host such a prestigious event. He said that not only was it a privilege for him, but a great honour for the area to host such an event.

Jim himself is no stranger to sheepdog trialing, having competed very successfully over a long number of years. He said he was looking forward to seeing all the best dogs in the country working on his farm.

The sheep for the trials will be supplied by Brian Casey, another well known sheepdog enthusiast. Mr. Casey is no stranger to organising and competing in trials and the organisers are looking forward to having very good sheep and very good Trials.

Accommodation for dogs & dog owners available at Kilmaneen Farmhouse

To return to our website click www.kilmaneen.com
To contact us click kilmaneen@eircom.net