19.9.20

A step in the right direction!

 

Major Trials

Council discussed the major trials planned for 2021 considering the continuing COVID-19 problems. Plans are in place to hold the four Nationals, the International and World Trial. There is a determination that the Nationals and International should go ahead if at all possible. It is very difficult to make concrete plans and statements when the goalposts are constantly changing on an almost weekly basis. Council have however discussed the possible options open to us if circumstances do not allow for our normal showcase events to take place. Worst case scenario is possibly a basic trial with only competitors and necessary officials attending, no spectators. If this was the case, live streaming could take the action to our Members. I emphasis these are only contingency plans at this stage.

Plans for the World Trial are also being kept under review and further information will be released in the coming weeks.

I thank all Members for their understanding and patience, and hopefully we can all look forward to normal service being resumed by our next trial season.

 

Open and Nursery Trials

Many Members who are running Open and Nursery trials are asking for more guidance. To this end one of our members who is a solicitor by profession, has very kindly volunteered his help to draw together the necessary guidance and advice that anyone running an outdoor sporting or leisure event needs to adhere to. The document will now be submitted to the appropriate Government department who deal with dispensations for outdoor leisure and sporting events. Approval from this department would give all committees and individuals organising trials the comfort that they are properly compliant. In addition to the overall guidance and advice, organisers need to ensure they have insurance cover and check if there are any local authority restrictions exclusive to their immediate area. We are hopeful that this document will go onto the Society website next week.

 

Open Trial Points

Council discussed the issue of when the award of points should resume for open trials. There is a fear among Members that we will end up with a generation of talented young dogs which cannot compete at forthcoming Nationals because they have not had the opportunity to gain the necessary points in open competition.

After considerable discussion it was decided to commence awarding of open points from 1st October 2020.

Council ask that Members exercise caution in travelling long distances to other areas in the pursuit of open points for their dogs.

Please see the ISDS website www.isds.org.uk/trials/trials-diary for clarification of how to ensure trials being hosted are considered as Qualifying trials for National trial points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not since the Foot and

Mouth epidemic 2001 (and

before that World War 2)

has this happened..

The ISDS official statement regarding COVID-19, 18.3.20

The health and well-being of our members, competitors, sponsors, volunteers and staff is of paramount importance. Advice from the Government and health officials regarding COVID-19 is changing daily with stronger restrictions being implemented and enforced. Considering this, we have concluded that all National, International and World trials will not take place this year. We understand and appreciate the level of disappointment that this will create, however we need to act responsibly during these times of uncertainty.

Local Trials
Based on advice issued by the UK Government on March 16th, specifically regarding restrictions on non-essential travel and contact, we strongly recommend that all local trials are cancelled.

We are receiving cancellation notifications daily and will be updating the trials calendar accordingly.

Points awarded at any local open trials will not be accepted by the ISDS as of today, 18th March; and this will continue until further notice.

Any affiliated local society that has purchased the ISDS Insurance must contact the office to raise a credit, as this insurance will be null and void as of today, 18th March 2020.

Major Trials - National, International & World
World trial entry has closed, please do not complete any further applications for World Trial entry, and those of you that have already entered will be contacted shortly.

We have made the decision that all major ISDS trials will not take place in 2020. The ISDS will now focus on managing the consequences of this, and when this is completed, start to undertake preparations for planning the 2021 major trial calendar. Once a 2021 calendar plan has been formed, a further statement will be released with necessary details.

We appreciate your support during this period of uncertainty.

They ask me why I live in the green mountains. 
I smile and don’t reply; my heart’s at ease. 
Peach blossoms flow downstream, leaving no trace – 
And there are other earths and skies than these.

Li Po (trans. Vikram Seth)

 

Or very, very sad.

 

 

!

Welcome to the

Hassalt, Belgium.

All Breeds Herding UK site!

 

This is...

a society of owners with herding breed dogs including border collies with imexperienced handlers. We explore the feasibility and practicality of helping the (very often without their own sheep) people test their dog for the instinct to work sheep, and training on from there towards owning a useful dog. It is easier on the Continent, USA, and Canada where dog schools for sheep-less owners and societies with trials geared to the various skill levels are more common. Some seem to be merely a simple training exersise on sheep that know exactly where to go; some, due to a cultural and managment bias of large numbers in wilderness conditons, seem to require a higher level of aggression towards stock as standard than is acceptable in UK, and some are more akin to our own style of sheepdog trials.

 

(Link below is the older one, the Archive!)

http://www.spanglefish.com/beardedcolliesforshepherding/

 

Exploring the American Herding Breeds Association (see dedicated page at the bottom of the page list)  program of tests and trials this autumn has been exciting and productive.  So much gratitude to the people who put so much into helping a dream become reality.

The mission is to surport for all to learn

good handling of sheep 

with the dog breed of their choice.

 

Terry Parish

 

Tanya Wheeler

All provide the opportunity to learn...

If we take a look at the many breeds that feature on this page to see what is happening abroad, perhaps enough of you guests will gain enough experience with your own dogs to develop similar opportunities here in the UK, where docile sheep are NOT 'the norm', so what ever your breed of dog,the emphasis has got to be on the HANDLER learning safe, considerate and effective handling of their stock.

 

 

I don't believe that show breeding is about saving/preserving a breed. 'Breeds' as in distinct, recognisable 'types' of domestic canines, evolved to do a job. Only if that job continues in the same way will the breed continue to evolve in the same way. Show breeding, including all the responsible health checks, is evolution speeded up with out the balance of actually doing what ever it was they were selected for on the work front. Without showing, many working breeds would have re-absorbed back into 'general just dogs'. With showing, many show bred working breeds do exactly that, with the recognisable physical characteristics being all that's left of the dog type the animal came from. Salute the owners who do actually do all in their power to find appropriate work for their dogs, breeding with discretion to maintain the appropriate physical and mental strengths required.

 

Spotty Bob

Liz with Supadog

Gasti the Pyrenean

Hugh and Bess

Di and Cilla

Stephanie with Spot, France

Fi and Loki

Tia from France

Mirk