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Trials Diary - 2026

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.

Notice for Independent Trials

Firstly, thank you so much to the hosts and organizers of these trials – we wouldn’t be able to showcase our wonderful dogs and their working history without you.

Secretaries, please don’t forget to submit your trial to the workingsheepdogs.co.uk website. Trials needs to be advertised here at minimum one week in advance to be eligible for nationals points, and have a minimum 25 entrants running on the day.

Our website is updated weekly by a volunteer, as such please submit all information that you would like published at once, for both website and Facebook submissions. Requests are received by e-mail.

DESS entry forms must be e-mailed to Julie Tucker, our trials secretary (tel 07970 033813).

Quick Links

All Entry Forms 
Rules and Regulations
Victor Ludorum
News & Updates
2024 Results
2025 Results

Interested in watching a trial?

Normally, trials start in the morning and run until late afternoon. We welcome spectators at DESS trials.

Please note, we do endeavour to provide update on independent trials when asked by organisers, but all questions should be directed to their trials secretary. Devon & Exmoor only run trials highlighted in green on this page. Brown trials are run independently. You will need to ask them if spectators are allowed, or for any other information.

Saturday, June 20th  – Ralegh’s Cross (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: bless.spooked.discussed
CLOSES: June 6, 2026

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).

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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 21st- Novice Championship & Maltese Cross  Championship (DESS)

START: 9:30 AM
W3W: bless.spooked.discussed
CLOSES: June 8, 2026

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). Cross to follow Novice Championship

DOWNLOAD NOVICE MX/DRIVING ENTRY FORM
DOWNLOAD MX CROSS ENTRY FORM

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, June 27th & 28th – Brendon Hills Trial (DESS)

START: 9:30AM Sat / 9:00AM Sun
W3W: hacksaw.name.crispier
CLOSES: June 13, 2026

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).

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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 4th & 5th – 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 25th – 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

Sunday August 2nd – Brompton Regis Charity Trial (DESS)

Includes Devon vs. Cornwall Match

START: 9:30 AM
W3W: socialite.speeds.twit
CLOSES: July 19, 2026

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.

This trial is an open trial. During the Devon vs. Cornwall match will be run within this trial. Scores for competitors from each area are counted for both competitions (not separate runs) – that is, each dog can run once in the day.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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

August 6-9th, English National

www.englishnationalsheepdogtrials.org.uk

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

Wednesday August 12th – Pennywell Farm Trial: Double Gather (DESS)

START: 9:30 AM
CLOSES: July 29, 2026

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).

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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 22nd – Follygate (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: estimates.clubbing.snatched
CLOSES: August 8, 2026

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.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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

Sunday, August 23rd – Westcountry Driving Championship (DESS)

START: 9:00 AM
W3W: estimates.clubbing.snatched
CLOSES: August 8, 2026

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

Location and directions as the day previous. There will be a raffle, so donations of prizes to Mrs R Passmore would be greatly appreciated.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

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

Saturday August 29th – 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, Sep 5th – Challacombe

START: 9:30 AM (MX first)

Any enquiries to the trial secretary:

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 10-12th – International

http://www.internationalsheepdogtrials.org.uk

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

Saturday & Sunday, September 26th & 27th – 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 10th & 11th – 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

ENTRY: By qualification only. Entry to be incorporated into Veryan trials, therefore dogs will only run once per day.

Qualification criteria at beginning of brochure and on website. Venue is by kind permission of the RR Quinney, Pennare Farm, Veryan.

Classes: Driving / MX

Other Dates

Saturday, November 7th – Combined Cornwall and DESS Annual Dinner

Venue: The Old Inn, St. Breward, Bodmin, PL30 4PP
Arrive 7.00, for 7.30pm
Tickets: Trevor Hopper (07706 976509)

Thursday, November 12th – AGM

Venue: Post Inn, Whiddon Down (7:00PM)