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Trials Diary - 2025

Running orders, entry forms and secretary information for DESS trials are available here. Follow us on Facebook for updates, and check back regularly.

We have listed independent trials here, but are not responsible for any changes. Please contact the relevant secretaries for further information.

DESS forms can be handed to, texted, or e-mailed to Julie Tucker, our trials secretary (tel 07970 033813).

Quick Links

All Entry Forms – Click to Download
Upcoming Running Order – Watch this space!
Results 2025 – Watch this space!

Saturday, June 21nd  – Ralegh’s Cross (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: bless.spooked.discussed
CLOSES: June 7, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr R Cowling & Family. Adjacent to Ralegh’s Cross Inn, Ralegh’s Cross, Exmoor (signed from B3190).

Classes: Open Driving / Novice Driving / Best Young Handler

  • Open Driving – Sanduck Cross Charity Sheepdog Trial Driving Cup
  • Novice Driving – Fleece Bowl
  • Best OLF – Margaret & Ernie Duke Memorial Cup

Sunday, June 22nd – Novice Championship & Maltese Cross  Championship (DESS)

START: 9:30 AM
W3W: bless.spooked.discussed
CLOSES: June 8, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr R Cowling & Family. Adjacent to Ralegh’s Cross Inn, Ralegh’s Cross, Exmoor (signed from B3190).

Classes: MX / Novice MX / Novice Driving / New Handler

  • Novice M/X Championship – Devon & Exmoor Ordinary Members only for the Holder Perpetual Challenge Cup
  • Novice Driving Championship – Devon & Exmoor Ordinary Members only for the Parker Perpetual Challenge Cup
  • New Handlers* – Open to all, entry on field for the Perpetual Challenge Cup
  • Followed by: Maltese Cross Championship – Devon Ordinary Members only for the Maltese Cross Shield and Best OLF: Liscombe Trophy

*Those who are new handlers from the start of the season.

Saturday & Sunday, July 5th & 6th – Pittsworthy Farm

W3W: sunflower.circus.resting

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Tony Rofe
T: 07811 958002

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs T. Rofe. At Pittsworthy Farm EX20 4NG.

Classes: Open Driving

Saturday, July 12th – Borough Farm

LIMIT: Entries close after first 60 dogs.

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
David Kennard
T: 01271 870056

By kind permission of D Kennard. At Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Devon, EX34 7HE.

Classes: Open Driving

Saturday & Sunday, July 19th & 20th – Brendon Hills Trial (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: hacksaw.name.crispier
CLOSES: July 5, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr R Cowling & Family at Brendon Hills, Exmoor (signed from B3190, near Wimbleball Reservoir).

Classes: Open Driving/ Novice Driving / Best Young Handler

  • D1 / Open Driving – Hemp Shield
  • D1 / Novice Driving – Dulverton Transport Cup
  • D1 / Best OLF – North Devon Cup
  • D1 / Highest Pointed Ordinary Member – Jim Shellard Memorial Cup
  • D2 / Open Driving – Chanin & Thomas Statue
  • D2 / Novice Driving – Gyp Perpetual Trophy
  • D2 / Best Shed & Pen – Williams Trophy

Saturday & Sunday, July 26th & 27th – Plympton Double Fetch

W3W: spit.sing.fault

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Ross Skelly
T: 07866 336875

By kind permission of the Skelley family, at Newnham Estate Plympton. Follow W3W, then signs up the track.

Classes: Open Driving / Double Fetch Run-Off

Sunday August 3rd – Brompton Regis Charity Trial (DESS)

START: 9:30 AM
W3W: socialite.speeds.twit
CLOSES: July 20, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr R Cowling & Family. At Ruglands Farm, Brompton Regis, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9NZ. Proceeds from trial and refreshments to Fishing for Life.

Classes: Driving – Open, Novice, Best Young Handler / MX – Open, Novice, Best Young Handler, New Handler

  • Open MX – Kings Brompton Perpetual Challenge Cup
  • Novice MX – Mr & Mrs R. P. Skinner Perpetual Memorial Cup
  • Open Driving – Roll House Cup,
  • Novice Driving – Smith-Kline Valbazen Trophy

Wednesday August 6th – Pennywell Farm Trial (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
CLOSES: July 23, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr C Murray & Family at Pennywell Farm, Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0LT (signed from A38, follow brown hand-cart tourist sign).

Classes: Open Driving / Best Young Handler / Double Fetch (Top 3)

There are 3 trophies, all owned by Mr Chris Murray:

  • Best OLF
  • Winner of the Driving
  • Winner of the Double

Saturday, August 9th – Follygate (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: estimates.clubbing.snatched
CLOSES: July 26, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs CP & AJ Heard At Pudson Farm. Follygate. Turn off the road at W3W estimates.clubbing.snatched. Drive around the edge of first field, to W3W: nametag.mysteries.expand.

Classes: Open Driving / Novice Driving / Best Young Handler / Brace

  • Open Driving (West Country Driving Champion) – Walt Passmore Trophy
  • Novice Driving – Jim Chapman Memorial Cup
  • Highest Pointed Ordinary Member Over 2 Days – Avery Memorial Tankard
  • Highest pointed Ordinary Member – Jan Trophy
  • Brace – The Western Counties Perpetual Brace Cup

Sunday, August 10th – Westcountry Driving Championship (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: estimates.clubbing.snatched
CLOSES: July 26, 2025

Enter by closing date to trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs CP & AJ Heard At Pudson Farm. Follygate. Turn off the road at W3W estimates.clubbing.snatched. Drive around the edge of first field, to W3W: nametag.mysteries.expand. There will be a raffle, so donations of prizes to Mrs R Passmore would be greatly appreciated.

Classes: Novice/ Open Driving / Best Young Handler

  • Open Driving – Elson Perpetual Challenge Rose Bowl
  • Highest Pointed Ordinary
    Member – Arrowsmith-Brown Perpetual Challenge Rose Bowl,
  • Best OLF – Jubilee
    Shield
  • Novice Driving – Stan Avery Memorial Rose Bowl

August 14-17th, English National

www.englishnationalsheepdogtrials.org.uk

We wish success and safe trialling to any members making the trip to Cumbria.

Saturday August 23rd – Whitchurch & Sampford Spiney Trial

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Wendy Watson
Middle Merripit Farm
Postbridge
Devon
PL20 6SZ
T: 07866 336875

At The Sports Field of Plasterdown, Tavistock, Devon.

Classes: Open Driving / Open MX / Novice MX

Saturday, August 30th – Victor Pitts Trial

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Victor Pitts
T: 07976 716712

Venue to be confirmed.

Sunday, August 31st – Devon Versus Cornwall Match

START: 9:30 AM
CLOSES: Entries on field by noon.

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Julie Tucker
T: 07970 033813

Venue to be confirmed.

Classes: Driving / MX

Saturday, Sep 6th – Challacombe

START: 9:30 AM
CLOSES: Entries on field by noon.

Any enquiries and to the trial secretary:
Brian Duke
T: 01643 831375
-or-
Barbara Thomas
Higher Westland
Bratton Fleming
Barnstaple
T: 01598 763502
M: 07729328440

By kind permission of The Kingdon Family At White Field, Challacombe.

Classes: Open Driving / Novice Driving / Open MX

September 11-13th – International

The English team travels to Wrexham to compete in the International, at the Brynkinalt Estate.

Saturday & Sunday, September 27th & 28th – Woolhanger

LIMIT: Entries limited to 35 dogs each day. Pre-entry only.

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
David Kennard
T: 01271 870056

A challenging hill trial by kind permission of the Melstrom Family. Entries are £6/dog, with all money received to charity of choice by the Woolhanger Estates.

Classes: Open Driving

Saturday & Sunday, October 4th & 5th – Bishopstone Charity Sheepdog Trial

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:
Anna Hawke
2 Throop Cottages
Bishopstone
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP5 4AY
T: 01722 718228

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs R Hawke At Bishopstone, Salisbury.

Classes: Open Driving

Sunday, October 19th – Champion of Champions

START: 10:00AM
ENTRY: By qualification only

Qualification criteria at beginning of brochure and on website. Venue is by kind permission of the Carter family at Sparretts Farm.

Classes: Driving / MX