The countdown has begun to the 2006 English National Sheepdog Trials, now a high profile three-day showpiece in the summer events calendar.

image courtesy sheepdogchampionships.co.uk

Run annually by the International Sheep Dog Society, they will take place at Underley Estate, near Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria, from Friday to Sunday, August 11-13, 2006.

The trials will see 150 of the best working sheep dogs in England take to the field with their handlers. The top 15 will then go through to represent their country against opposition from Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the milestone Centenary International Trials near Kelso in September.

As well as representing a stern test purposely designed to promote the overall improvement of the working sheep dog, the English National Trials are also gaining increasing prominence in the public eye.

Fully recognising this growth in popularity, organisers are this year responding by arranging wide-ranging support events, including an inaugural Country Fair promoting regional foods and rural crafts.

Organisation is in the joint hands of a four-strong team of husband-and-wife stalwarts of the Yorkshire and Lancashire committees of the International Sheep Dog Society - Bobby and Christine Clarkson, of Embsay, near Skipton, and John and Carol Palmer, of Higher Higson Farm, Twiston, near Clitheroe.

The organisers also have the full support of newly-elected president of the International Sheep Dog Society, Thomas Langton, of Quernmore, Lancaster. He has twice won the English National Trials in 1985 and 1992, and the International Trials in 1986.

Main sponsor of the 2006 English National Sheep Dog Trials is Gilbertson & Page Ltd, dog food manufacturers. Support funding has also been pledged by Cumbria Tourist Board and North West Farm Tourism, Rural Regeneration Cumbria and Defra's Leader+ project.

Opportunities remain for event sponsorship, trials field displays, trade stands and programme advertising. Interested parties should contact either treasurer Christine Clarkson on 01756 793371 or secretary Carol Palmer on 01200 445293.

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