Courses
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The qualifying rounds are to be run on three different fields.
Field 1 Photos here
Field 2 Photos here
Field 3 Photos here
You can click on each photo for a larger photo of the fields.
(Note: The following is for guidance only. Competitors should refer to the ISDS Rule Book for more detailed rule information).
The qualifying and semi-finals course involves the handler and dog working together to move five sheep (three unmarked and two marked with red collars) around a course. There are seven components of the course, each of which is scored by the judges.
1. Outrun: In the outrun the dog is sent out either to the left or right from the post while the handler remains at the post. The dog should not stop until it has reached the point of balance behind the sheep, and should be far enough away from the sheep so as not to disturb them. The point of balance is where the dog will lift the sheep in the direction of the first set of gates.
2. Lift: At the end of the Outrun, the dog will either come to a full stop or merely slow down.The dog will then approach the sheep smoothly, cautiously and steadily, taking control in a firm and quiet manner. The sheep should move in a direct line to the first obstacle (gates).
3. Fetch: The sheep must be brought at a steady pace and in a straight line from the place of lifting to the first gates and thereafter in a straight line to the handler/post. If the sheep deviate from the line they should be brought back to that line as soon as practical. If the sheep fail to go through the gates, no retry of the gates is allowed.
4. Drive: The drive is approximately 450 yards long over a triangular course and consists of two sets of gates through which the dog drives the sheep. The drive starts immediately the sheep have passed behind the handler/post and ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring. The sheep are required to go in straight lines between the obstacles and reasonable turns at the post and at both gates are expected. If the sheep fail to go through the gates, a second attempt at either gate is not allowed.
5. Shedding: Two unmarked sheep are shed (separated) in the shedding ring and held away from the remaining three sheep. The dog must show control of the two unmarked sheep, either in or outside the ring. On completion of the shed, the handler must reunite the sheep before proceeding to the pen.
6. Penning: The handler must proceed to the pen, leaving the dog to bring the sheep to the pen.The handler stands at the gate holding the rope and must not let go of the rope while the dog works the sheep into the pen. When the sheep are in the pen, the handler must completely close the gate before releasing the sheep. After releasing the sheep, the handler must close and fasten the gate and go to the shedding ring.
7. Single: The dog brings the sheep from the pen to the shedding ring. One of two marked sheep will be shed (separated) within the shedding ring and held away from the remaining four sheep until the judges are satisfied.
No points are awarded for any phase of the work that has not been completed within the prescribed time limit.
Time limit = 15 minutes.
Points
Points are awarded as follows:
Outrun = 20 points
Lift = 10 Points
Fetch = 20 Points
Drive = 30 Points
Shed = 10 Points
Pen = 10 Points
Single = 10 Points
TOTAL (per Judge) = 110 Points
QUALIFYING AGGREGATE = 220 Points
SEMI-FINALS AGGREGATE = 440 Points
Image Copyright: Kelvin Broad
The finals course involves the handler and dog working together to move twenty sheep (fifteen unmarked and five marked with red collars) around a course. The main components of the course, each of which is scored by the four judges, are as follows: (Note: The following is for guidance only).
1. Outrun 1: In the first outrun the dog is sent out to the right or left of the course, as decided by the Trials Committee before the Trial. All competitors will run on that side (the second outrun will be to the other side). The handler remains at the post. The dog should not stop until it has reached the point of balance behind the sheep, and should be far enough away from the sheep so as not to disturb them. The point of balance is where the dog will lift the sheep in the direction of the first set of gates.
2. Lift 1: At the end of the Outrun, the dog will either come to a full stop or merely slow down.The dog will then approach the sheep smoothly, cautiously and steadily, taking control in a firm and quiet manner. The sheep should move in a direct line to the first obstacle (gates).
3. Fetch 1: The sheep must be brought at a steady pace and in a straight line from the place of lifting to the first gates and thereafter in a straight line to the turn back pole. If the sheep deviate from the line they should be brought back to that line as soon as practical. If the sheep fail to go through the gates, no retry of the gates is allowed. The first fetch is complete when the sheep have reached the turn back pole. The dog having reached the pole will then be redirected for the second packet of 10 sheep.
4. Outrun, Lift and Fetch 2: The dog is turned back for the second packet of sheep on the opposite side of the course to the first packet. The second packet of sheep should be brought through the gate in a straight line towards a point parallel to the first lot of sheep. The dog will unite the two packets of sheep by gathering the first lot and bringing them to the second lot. The sheep must be united before the end of the fetch. At the end of the fetch the handler will move the sheep around the post/behind the handler as close as is practical and in a steady and smooth manner.
5. Drive: The drive is approximately 600 yards long over a triangular course and consists of two sets of gates through which the dog drives the sheep. The drive starts immediately the sheep have passed behind the handler/post and ends when all of the sheep enter the shedding ring. The sheep are required to go in straight lines between the obstacles and reasonable turns at the post and at both gates are expected. If the sheep fail to go through the gates, a second attempt at either gate is not allowed. The handler will remain at the post until the first of the sheep is in the shedding ring.
6. Shedding: Fifteen unmarked sheep are to be shed off (separated) from the five red collared sheep within the shedding ring. The sheep are moved between the handler and his/her dog allowing unmarked sheep to be shed off and leave the ring while keeping the marked sheep in the shedding ring. Manoeuvring to take the 5 red collared sheep off in one go from the other 15 is not permitted. Should any marked sheep leave the shedding ring and join any unmarked sheep already shed off, the unmarked sheep with which the marked sheep have joined will be brought into the ring and shedding resumed. Once the 15 unmarked sheep have been shed off, the handler may proceed to the pen. Before penning, the handler may use the dog to remove the unmarked sheep to a safe distance so they do not to interfere with the penning of the marked sheep.
7. Penning: The handler must proceed to the pen, leaving the dog to bring the sheep to the pen.The handler stands at the gate holding the rope and must not let go of the rope while the dog works the sheep into the pen. When the sheep are in the pen, the handler must completely close the gate within the time limit. After realeasing the sheep, the handler must close and fasten the gate to conclude their run.
No points are awarded for any phase of the work that has not been completed within the prescribed time limit.
Time limit = 30 minutes. No extensions.
Points
Outrun 1 = 20 Points
Lift 1 = 10 Points
Fetch 1 = 20 Points
Outrun 2 = 20 Points
Lift 2 = 10 Points
Fetch 2 = 20 Points
Drive = 40 Points
Shed = 20 Points
Pen = 10 Points
TOTAL (per judge) = 170 Points
FINAL AGGREGATE = 680 Points
Image Copyright: Kelvin Broad