World Sheepdog Trials 2023 to Take Place in Northern Ireland

The World Sheepdog Trials 2023 are just around the corner, and they're going to take place in Northern Ireland.

The event will be held at the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast, a popular venue for outdoor events.

Northern Ireland has a rich history of sheep farming and herding, making it the perfect location for this international competition.

The Balmoral Showgrounds offer plenty of space for the trials to take place, with a large outdoor area and modern facilities.

Team Ireland made a triumphant return to the World Sheepdog Trials, securing the top spot in the teams competition.

Paddy Fanning from Wicklow was part of the team that clinched the top prize.

The team consisted of five members, including Paddy, and they came from different parts of Ireland, including Mayo, Westmeath, and Donegal.

Their impressive performance earned them the top spot amid tough competition from over 20 other teams.

The International Sheep Dog Society organized the World Sheepdog Trials, which took place at Gill Hall Estate, Dromore.

The course at Gill Hall is indeed superb, according to John McCullagh, the chairman of the organising committee.

Qualifying rounds will be held over the first two days, with three competitions taking place at the same time. This will help whittle down the number of participants to just 16 dogs in the final.

The final run will consist of bringing two lots of 10 sheep into a group and taking them around the course before splitting off five sheep with red collars and putting them in a pen.

The World Sheepdog Trials are set to be held in Northern Ireland for the first time, making it a momentous occasion for the region.

The event will take place at Gill Hall Estate in Dromore from September 13th to 16th, 2023, and is expected to attract 50,000 spectators from across the world.

The four-day global event will feature 240 competitors from over 30 countries vying to be named as 'top dog' with a World Champion announced at the end of the event.

Gill Hall Estate provides the perfect backdrop for this global event, offering a picturesque setting and the space and facilities necessary to accommodate the competitors and spectators alike.

The venue host, Bill Porter, Owner of Gill Hall Estate, is thrilled and immensely proud to be hosting the event.

This will be the first time the World Sheepdog Trials have been held since 2017, with the 2020 championship being cancelled due to the pandemic.

The event will also include a 'sheepdogs at work' farm experience, where visitors can get involved by opening gates and helping to lead the flock into the pens.

The course at Gill Hall is described as "superb". It's clear that a lot of effort has gone into creating a challenging and enjoyable experience for competitors.

Qualifying rounds will be held over the first two days, with three competitions happening at the same time. This will be a great opportunity to see multiple events unfold simultaneously.

The qualifying rounds will whittle down the field to just 16 dogs, who will then move on to the final. These 16 dogs will have to complete a demanding course that requires skill and precision.

The final course consists of bringing two lots of 10 sheep into a group and taking them around the course before splitting off five sheep with red collars and putting them in a pen.

The ABC Council is welcoming the World Sheepdog Trials to Northern Ireland for the first time in its history.

The event is expected to attract up to 30,000 spectators from across the globe, who will gather at Gill Hall Estate in Dromore from 13 to 16 September.

The Council is delighted to support this event and is proud to showcase their borough on a global stage.

Competitors and visitors from as far away as Brazil and Argentina will be in attendance, making it a truly international event.

The festivities begin on Tuesday 12 September at 5pm with a parade of competitors and teams through Gill Hall Estate, followed by the opening ceremony.

Competitions will start at 7.30am each day, with the finals being held on Saturday 16 September.

The ABC Council's Food Heartland producers will showcase local artisan food and drink, including Lush Larder, Marshall Beekeeping, Jackson Roze, Ballylisk Cheese, and Rosemount Cottage Farm.