July 13th, 2025

Trialing — What Even Is That?

Trialing—what a weird word to begin with. But what do I mean when I say I went to a sheepdog trial this past weekend?

Bella herding our ewes and lambs on July 2nd, 2025

In the dog world, there are multiple kinds of trials—for example, agility trials or field trials. What “trials” refers to in these instances is an event that gives handlers and their dogs an opportunity to compete against each other and get their performance judged. So when I say sheepdog trials, I mean an event in which handlers and dogs who work sheep come together and compete for points.

Most of the dogs at these trials are Border Collies, though there are a few exceptions. Probably the most noticeable is the Kelpie, which has a similar working style to a Border Collie but seems to carry itself a little higher. I’m no expert, nor do I claim to be—but that’s something I’ve noticed in the Kelpies I’ve seen working stock.

Fin working sheep at a Jack Knox clinic on June 15th, 2025

Border Collies come in all shapes and colors. You can have the traditional black and white, or red tri, blue merle, sable merle, and lilac. As long as they herd and work stock, they are Border Collies—no matter the pedigree.

Border Collies all seem to share one thing: they want to herd and work all day, with and for you. There’s never a moment when I’m at the farm where I wonder whether my dogs feel like working. I’m actually more worried about them getting heatstroke—because they won’t stop themselves. They’re always willing and ready to go around the sheep and collect them for me. Which brings me back to trialing.

At trials, there’s a course set for each class that’s running. Each course has an Outrun, a Lift, a Fetch, a Drive, a Pen, and in the highest class, a Shed.

The Outrun, worth twenty points, is when the dog starts at the handler’s post and runs out in a pear-shaped oval to the top of the field, where the sheep are being held by the setout person and their dog. Once the dog is behind the sheep and starts walking up on them—making their presence known—the Lift begins.

The Lift is worth ten points. This is the dog’s first contact with the sheep. How do they get them moving? If it’s in a straight line, calm and well-mannered, you get full points. But if the sheep run to the side—or worse, back to the setout—it’ll cost you points, or result in a retired run (you say “Thank you,” and go get your dog). The Lift ends once the sheep start moving.

Bella working Eileen and her lambs - first time ever July 8th, 2025

Then the Fetch begins. Also worth twenty points, this part involves fetch panels placed between the setout and the handler’s post. You want the sheep to come in as straight a line as possible and hit the gate cleanly. Once they pass the handler’s post (and sometimes unwind if you turned the wrong direction), the Drive begins.

The Drive is worth thirty points. It starts from the post to the first set of drive panels in the middle of the field. Again, you’re aiming for a straight line. Depending on your class, you either move on to the Pen or go through the second set of Drive Panels, known as the Crossdrive. On the Crossdrive, you typically only want to see the side of the sheep from the post—not their heads or butts. Judges often sit near the post to judge the lines.

Once through the second gates, you turn toward the Pen, which concludes the drive.

Sometimes instead of pens or sheds, they have chutes - this is Bella and Addi working sheep through a chute at a trial in September 2024

The Pen is worth ten points and requires teamwork. You’re allowed to leave the post, approach the pen, open the gate (usually attached to a rope), and then you and your dog work together to get the sheep inside. You’re not allowed to let go of the rope, touch the sheep, hit them, or use the gate to influence them. It’s all about pressure, movement, and skill. Most judges will start calling points quickly—and once you’re out of points, they want you done so you don’t sour the sheep for the next run.

If you’re in the highest class, there’s one more task: the Shed. Sometimes it comes before the Pen, depending on how cooperative the sheep are. A Shed means you and your dog separate one or more sheep from the group, usually done in a marked ring. You need stock sense and timing to create a gap your dog can take. Some judges call the shed for you, others expect you to know when you’ve done it cleanly enough.

Emma working the ewes and lambs on July 9th, 2025

There are different classes depending on the organization. You’ll see Novice Novice, Pronovice, Ranch, and then in USBCHA (United States Border Collie Handlers Association) you get into Nursery and Open. Those usually come with payouts and points that count toward the National Finals.

Before I blow everyone’s brains too much—this is just the first introduction to sheepdog trials. Specifically Border Collie sheepdog trials.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Training,

Addi and The Girls