BY ALLISON LEE
Organised by the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), the International Supreme Sheepdog Trial is a prestigious annual event that brings together top handlers and their dogs from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to compete for the title of Supreme Champion.
The competition showcases the dogs’ natural instincts and abilities, as well as the strength of their partnership with their handlers. Using only voice and whistle commands, handlers must guide small flocks of sheep through complex field courses.
Held annually since 1906—with breaks only for world wars and major disease outbreaks—the 2026 event will take place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September. For the first time, it will be hosted by Daylesford Organic Farm near Kingham in the Cotswolds.
This year’s championship is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sheepdog trialling. The top 60 single dogs will compete for the Supreme title, while the Brace and Young Handler categories will have their own awards, all demonstrating the highest standards of livestock handling.
2026 also marks the 120th anniversary of the ISDS, and Daylesford Organic Farm provides a fitting backdrop. Alongside the trials, the event will celebrate rural traditions such as drystone walling and hedge laying. Local artisan producers—including Hawkstone, Le Chameau, and StowAg—will showcase their goods, with live demonstrations ranging from cidermaking with Daylesford’s Head Market Gardener, Jez, to welly wanging and ride-on diggers from JCB. Beekeeping and wool weaving will also be on display, courtesy of the Sustainable Rope Company.
Daylesford Organic Farm was founded over forty years ago by Carole Bamford, driven by a passion for real food and a commitment to organic farming. Today, it is one of the UK’s most sustainable farms and food retailers, and a certified B Corporation. What began as a focus on food has since grown into a range of homewares, garden products, and a plant nursery.
Programme
- Friday 11 September – 32 qualifying singles runs and the first brace trial
- Saturday 12 September – 28 singles qualifiers and the conclusion of the brace championship
- Sunday 13 September – The top 15 singles return for the final, alongside the young-handler competition, with the awards ceremony at 5 pm
Event Information
- What: The International Supreme Championship Sheepdog Trial 2026
- When: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September 2026
- Opening hours: 7.30 am – 6 pm daily
- Where: Daylesford Farm, Cotswolds, GL56 0YG
- Tickets: £10 for adults; free for under-16s and ISDS members
- Parking: Free on-site parking available
- Dogs: Visitors may bring dogs, but they must remain on a lead at all times
- Booking: Tickets available at https://www.daylesford.com/ and on the day. Grandstand tickets are sold separately via the ISDS website.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.