The 2020 Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trial has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. The trial will return in 2021.
The Annual Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trial is held on the Robert F. Clark field off Beaver Meadow Road. Start time is around 8:00 AM and goes until the last dog runs (usually around 5:00 PM).
A sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which one dog moves a group of sheep around a field, through gates, and into enclosures as directed by their handler. The trial is intended to demonstrate a dogs ability to do the type of work required on the farm. The workmanship between dog and handler, and the ever unpredictable sheep, make for a fascinating sport to watch.
The trial is sanctioned by both the North East Border Collie Association (nebca.net) and the United States Border Collie Handler's Association, Inc. (usbcha.com).