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ISDS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

     There is no fixed format for an ISDS style course and many variations on the general theme are seen both in the U.K. and North America.  The courses described here are the U.K. national (the most common course), the international supreme and the international brace courses.

NATIONAL

GATHERING -- The dog may be directed on either side in the outrun. A straight fetch of 400 yards from the lift to the handler through a center set of gates 7 yards wide 150 yards from the handler. No retry at the gate is allowed. The handler must remain at the post from the commencement of the outrun and at the end of the fetch he will pass the sheep behind him toward the direction of the first set of drive gates.

DRIVING -- The drive may be to either left or right as decided by the trials committee prior to the trial. The handler will stand at the post and direct the dog to drive the sheep 450 yards over a triangular course through two sets of gates 7 yards wide. A second attempt at either set of gates is not allowed. The drive ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring at which point the handler may leave the post. When the fetch is less than 400 yards the drive should be lengthened if possible to maintain a total course length of approximately 850 yards.

SHEDDING -- The shedding ring shall be 40 yards in diameter. Two unmarked sheep shall be shed within the ring. The dog must be in full control of the two shed sheep (need not be in the ring) to be considered satisfactory. Upon completion of the shed the sheep shall be reunited before continuing to the pen.

PENNING -- The pen will be 8 ft. by 9 ft. with a gate 8 ft. wide to which is secures a rope 6 ft. long. On completion of the shed the handler shall proceed to the pen leaving the dog to bring the sheep to the pen. The handler cannot assist the dog in bringing the sheep to the pen. The handler will stand at the gate holding the rope and must not let go of the rope while the dog works the sheep into the pen. The handler will close the gate, after releasing the sheep the handler shall close and fasten the gate.

SINGLE -- The handler will proceed to the shedding ring leaving the dog to bring the sheep from the pen to the ring. One of the marked sheep will be shed of within the ring and thereafter worn (need not be in the ring) to the judges satisfaction. Handlers are forbidden from assisting the dog in driving of the single any distance or by forcing it on the dog.

TIME LIMIT -- 15 minutes

POINTS -- outrun 20, lift 10, fetch 20, drive 30, shed 10, pen 10, single 10.
TOTAL POINTS -- 110

INTERNATIONAL SUPREME

GATHERING -- One lot of 10 sheep will be set 800 yds. (if possible unseen by dog) which should be gathered and brought through a gate 9 yds. wide to a post 20 yds. through the gate. The dog is then redirected for another lot of sheep which should also be brought through the gate and reunited with the first group. The trials committee shall decide before the trial the direction of the first outrun with the second being to the other side. No retry is allowed if the gate is missed either time. Both dog and sheep shall be past the gate and to the post before the dog is redirected. At the end of the fetch the handler shall pass the sheep behind him in the direction of the first drive gate.

DRIVING --The drive shall be 600 yds. and triangular from the handlers post passing through two gates 9 yds. wide. No retry is allowed at missed gates. The drive ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring at which time the handler may leave the post.

SHEDDING --The 15 unmarked sheep are to be shed off within the 40 yd. diameter ring. In shedding the sheep will be passed between the handler and dog and the dog brought in to stop and turn back the marked sheep. Maneuvering for 'cuts' is not allowed. Should any marked sheep leave the shedding ring and join any unmarked sheep already shed off the unmarked sheep with the marked sheep will be brought back into the shedding ring and shedding restarted. Until the 15 unmarked sheep have been shed off penning is not permitted.

PENNING -- On completion of the shedding the handler will proceed to the pen leaving the dog to bring the marked sheep. The handler may not assist the dog in driving the sheep to the pen. The pen will be 8 ft. by 9 ft. with a 8 ft. gate to which is secured a six ft. rope. The handler must stand at the gate and hold the rope and may not let go of the rope while the dog works the sheep into the pen. The handler must close the gate. After releasing the sheep the handler will close and fasten the gate.

TIME LIMIT -- 30 minutes

POINTS --outrun 2X20, lift 2x10, fetch 2x20, drive 40, shed 20, pen 10
TOTAL POINTS --170

INTERNATIONAL BRACE

GATHERING -- Ten sheep will be set in one lot in the center if the field at a distance of approximately 800 yds. Both dogs will start at the same time. Crossing at the completion of the outrun is permissible but dogs should remain on the sides to which they have crossed and should not recross. The fetch should be straight through a gate 9 yds. wide in the center of the field. No retry is allowed if the gate is missed. The dogs shall remain on their own sides and the handler shall remain at the post passing the sheep behind him at the end of the fetch toward the first drive gate.

DRIVING -- The handler stands at the post and directs the two dogs to drive the sheep over a 600 yard triangular course through two sets of gates 9 yds. wide. No retry is allowed if a gate is missed. Both dogs shall remain on their own sides. The drive ends when the sheep enter the shedding ring at which time the handler may leave the post.

SHEDDING --The sheep will be divided into two equal lots by either dog inside the shedding ring. One set will be driven off and left in the charge of one of the dogs.

PENNING -- The other group of sheep will be penned by the other dog in a diamond shaped pen with an entrance of 5 feet and no gate. This dog will be left in charge while the other lot are penned in a similar pen approximately 50 yards away by the other dog.

TIME LIMIT --25 minutes