International Sheepdog Trials 2025 – Brynkinalt Estate, Chirk, Wrexham
Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th September 2025
The 2025 International Sheepdog Trials falls to the Welsh Directorate of the International Sheepdog Society. Welsh National President Glyn Jones, local committee Chairman Glyn Owens and team were tasked with finding the venue for this key event which is the pinnacle of this year’s sheepdog trialling diary.
The International trial is the culmination of the sheepdog trials diary with competitors and their dogs from the 4 nations qualifying at their own National Trials throughout the summer. From these trials each Nation sends a team to the International trial where competition is strong as members and their dogs compete to become International Supreme Champion.
Glyn Jones farms with sons Elgan and Gethin in the Ceiriog Valley and as you travel further along the River Ceiriog through Chirk, you will come to this year’s venue Brynkinalt Estate with its impressive Grade II* Listed Hall. The Trevor family have been associated with the site since 942 AD with the current house dating back to 1612.
The estate is steeped in history and the house is still a family home. Current custodians Iain and Kate Hill-Trevor have kindly agreed to host this year’s International Trial.
It is clear speaking with Iain and Kate that they have a great passion and enthusiasm for farming and the local community. They believe events such as the trial are key to bringing people together as well as providing a platform for education to a wider audience of farming practices and rural skills.
The Hall is a spectacular building which as you enter and go through to the entrance opens up into the impressive Great Hall, which was once an open courtyard. Today this part of the hall is host to dinners and corporate events allowing visitors to enjoy the wonderful staircase and features. Extensive remodelling to the house and gardens was carried out in 1808 to the designs of Charlotte, Viscountess Dungannon further enhancing these and taking full advantage of the stunning views across the Ceiriog Valley. The hall and gardens are only open to the public by appointment with opportunities to visit the house and gardens at a number of events that take place throughout the year.
The trial field itself is on pasture ground in the expansive parkland of the estate dotted with small spinneys and surrounded by patches of forest. Opening out from near the Bryngwilla Gate Lodge overlooking the course which reaches up to a line of trees in the distance with the Hall overlooking in the background.
The Bryngwilla Gate Lodge was once the main entrance to the estate taking visitors on a long meandering approach to the Hall by design so they could fully appreciate the estate grounds and views. Today the hall and onsite business centre are accessed by other entrances to the estate and the original driveway that once took 2 full time gardeners to upkeep, services the surrounding fields.
The layout of the field enables an excellent viewing location from the stands with visitors able to see the wide parkland expanse rolling out and up towards the Hall in the distance.
The sheep being used for the trial this year are hardy Welsh Mountain yearlings, this breed are synonymous with the Ceiriog Valley and surrounding North Wales area.
With easy access to the event near to the main A483 at Gledrid, it is hoped that many visitors will attend from the local area and further afield to observe the unique and ancient skill of Sheepdog trialling and witness which dog and handler are crowned this year’s Supreme Champions.
To find out more about the trial including where to purchase tickets, local accommodation and event timetable please visit this year’s International Trial Website at the following link; www.isds.org.uk/major-trials-events/national-international-trials-information/international-supreme-2025/
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this year’s trial and any support given would be greatly appreciated. Sponsors will be displayed to event visitors through various channels and BBC Televisions’ Countryfile program will be filming for one of their feature episodes about the trial. This provides a unique opportunity for brands to showcase their products both to our core membership and a wider audience. For more details please contact 2025isdssponsorship@gmail.com
