The World Sheepdog Trials got underway on Wednesday 13th September at Gill Hall Estate, Dromore with a special visit from HRH The Princess Royal.
Lord Mayor Margaret Tinsley, along with her son James and daughter Anna, presented HRH The Princess Royal with a Food Heartland Hamper showcasing our local artisan food and drink producers.
This is the first time the event has been held in Northern Ireland with up to 30,000 spectators anticipated during the four-day event. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough will see 240 sheepdogs and their handlers from 30 different countries take part in the trials.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Alderman Margaret Tinsley said: “It is fantastic to see our borough being showcased on a global stage like this, with visitors and competitors from as far away as Brazil and Argentina coming to spend time in our area.
“As a council we are delighted to support this event and very proud our borough is hosting this major competition for the first time in Northern Ireland. I have no doubt all competitors and visitors will be impressed by the hospitality of everyone involved and I extend best wishes to the organisers and everyone participating over the next four-days.”
The event is sponsored by ABP Food Group, Randox Health and Gilbertson & Page Ltd and supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The International Sheepdog Society organisers, participants and visitors alike will be delighted to see the return of the event since the 2020 championship was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Gill Hall Estate in Dromore will host the event and some of 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.
The International Sheep Dog Society has held six World trials, where competitors from all over the world qualify in their own countries to compete with their sheepdogs. The World Sheepdog Trials are held every three years with the last one in Hoogwoud in the Netherlands in 2017.
