What is a Sheep Dog Trial?

The sheep dog trials are returning to San Saba! The Texas Sheep Dog Association was founded in San Saba way back in 1963. Competitive trials are held all across the USA and Canada, and Texas is known as a tough proving ground for working border collies. Texas has also produced some of the very competitive sheep dog handlers . . . several of the USA’s World Trial competitors are from Texas!

But what is a sheep dog trial? Well, a handler-dog team will work together to move a group of sheep through an obstacle course. The handler sends the dog from the handlers’ post, and while the handler remains at the post, the dog is sent to retrieve sheep that have been set out over 400 yards away. The handler will communicate to the dog with whistles, and will maneuver the dog to steer the sheep down the field through a set of gates, to the post, around the post, and then through an obstacle course consisting of gates and a pen. There is also a maneuver in a marked circle on the ground (that is called a “shed”) where the handler leaves the post and joins the dog to work together to separate the sheep and hold them apart. The course has a time limit that starts when the handler sends the dog from the post.

Each team starts with all the points available, but a skilled judge is watching each part of the course and is deducting points for “mistakes” such as crooked lines between obstacles, missing a gate, circling the pen, missing the shed, etc. Neither the dog or the handler is permitted to touch the sheep. If a sheep challenges a dog and charges, the judge will usually permit a clean single nip to the sheep’s nose with an immediate release. Any other gripping by the dog is an immediate disqualification.

The San Saba Reunion Sheep Dog Trial will have two judges. Mr. Arwyn Davies is coming over from Wales in the UK, to judge the Open and the Nursery classes. Ms. Alison Holmes is from Sanderson, Texas, and will be judging the Open Ranch class.

Kim and Regan Kirk are hosting the TSDA San Saba Reunion Sheep Dog Trial at their ranch located at 510 TX-16. Banners are up at the gate entrance on the highway. Competition starts on Wednesday, February 28, and runs through Sunday, March 3. The runs will start each day at 730 a.m. and run most of the day, usually ending between 4 and 6 p.m. Spectators are welcome. Bring your lawn chairs and dress for the weather. Please leave your pet dogs at home. Admission is FREE! There will be light refreshments available and donation proceeds will benefit local 4H and FFA scholarships. TSDA is excited to be returning to its roots in San Saba, and we hope to see you all there!