The Welsh National Sheepdog Trials are coming to Defynnog this summer, where around 150 handlers and dogs will compete to be the best in the country.

On the 13th, 14th and 15th of August 2026, the prestigious trials will be hosted by the Phillips family of Cefnfedw.

Each year the Welsh National Sheepdog Trials is held in a different location in Wales and brings together Wales’s finest sheepdogs and handlers to compete for a chance to represent Wales at the International Sheepdog Trials held in September.

The event provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the incredible abilities of sheepdogs and highlights that even in the modern world of technology and machinery, the skills of the working sheepdog are essential to the modern shepherd.

The top 15 (top 5 from each day) will be selected to represent Wales at the International Sheepdog Trials. 50 competitors compete on each day of the trials. The event itself attracts farmers, sheepdog enthusiasts, locals and tourists. People of all ages turn up to compete and often sees handlers as young as 15 years old competing with handlers over the age of 90. The trial brings people to the area for the three days of trialling. It is an event that showcases a traditional farming skill, man and his dog working the sheep through a series of obstacles to showcase their talents.

Brecon and Radnorshire boasts some of the best handlers that Wales has to offer. Kevin Evans has won the national trials five times in total in 2011, 2013, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Kevin’s father David Evans has been a Wales team member five times and similarly, Ross Games has been a four-time team member. Misena Dubenova (Kevin Evans Sheepdogs) made the Welsh team in 2024. Many local handlers are expected to take part this year, to compete for a place on the national team.

A small committee have been working hard over the last year to raise funds to ensure that they are able to host a successful event. They are aiming to raise £20,000 to run the event. The committee is chaired by Stella Owen, NFU county Advisor for Brecon, Radnor and Monmouthshire. They are offering a range of sponsorship packages available ranging from a bronze package (£50) to a platinum package (£500). If you would like to support the event and sign up to one of the sponsorship packages, the committee would be very grateful. If you would like to sponsor the event or support in any way, please contact [email protected]

Speaking on the event coming the area, Stella Owen, Chairman of the committee, said: “We are delighted to see the trials return to Senni fields, Defynnog. We are so grateful to the Phillips family of Cefnfedw for hosting the three day event which will showcase the best sheepdog trailers from throughout Wales.”

She added: “Our fundraising continues with our sincerest thanks to sponsors and grants that have already shown us such wonderful support.”