The créme de la créme of sheepdogs from Ireland and Britain have come to Co Wicklow for the International Sheepdog Trial 2023 - a three-day event that will see one of 60 dogs and their handlers winning the Supreme Championship.
On the rolling expansive of Three Castle Farm near Blessington, Co Wicklow, participants gathered from early morning for the first day of the trial.
The competition comes to Ireland every four years, rotating though each of the competitor countries.
Qualifying rounds in each nation see 15 sheepdogs eventually make it through to the international competition that is held every September.
Eamon Connell of the International Sheepdog Society says it a huge event in the sheepdog calender.
"This event is the longest running premier sheepdog event in the world," he said.
"Every year its a big draw and it's the one all the handlers from the four home nations want to run in. They call them the home nations because that's where trialing originated."
The sheepdogs, all border collies, are highly trained for herding sheep, and are said by many to be the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Esther Lambe from Curracloe in Wexford is herself a dog handler and also one of the organisers of the event.
"The border collie sheep dog is bred for working sheep or cattle," she said.
"They have an instinct that they can sense the sheep. They can feel the sheep and know where they want them to go."
Over 300 sheep will be used in the trials, with each dog having to herd groups of five.
Ms Lambe says every time a new dog takes to the field new sheep are needed, as the sheep quickly get used to the course.
"In competition, its fairer that everybody gets a fresh bunch of sheep, because the sheep get tame, and they would stroll around the course," she said.
"That makes its easier for dog and handler to get them across the course. So every new dog and handler gets five fresh sheep."
The event is open to the public with refreshments, amusements and shopping facilities on site, and even though the sheepdogs will be centre stage, people can also bring along their own dogs on leads.
"Pets are allowed," says Ms Lambe.
"It's a dog event, they have to keep them on a lead, but they are allowed and they might enjoy it."
