Midwest Championship Sheepdog Trial

Come watch the country's wisest dogs and wiliest handlers compete for the coveted Midwest Sheepdog Championship at Badlands Sno-Park outside of Hudson, WI. Bring a lawn chair and loll on a sun-drenched hillside, watching dogs and handlers compete under time pressure to move sheep through a complicated course. Gather under a big, shady tent, rain or shine, enjoying pulled pork sandwiches from pork that was raised right on Kinney Farm. Never been to a sheepdog competition? Don't worry, during the action announcers will explain what's going on, along with the subtleties of communication between dogs, handlers and sheep. Bring the entire family and friends and make a day of it, cheering for your favorite dogs and groaning as a recalcitrant sheep escapes at the pen at the last second. Root for the "grey muzzle dogs" who are nine years and older, as they try to show the youngsters that experience wins out over youth. Although the action on the course is compelling, the setting is as peaceful as a painting. One judge, Calvin Jones from Wales, called the location “one of the most spectacular courses he has ever seen in the USA or the UK”. Besides being a great test of good dogs and handlers, the scenery is flat out gorgeous. Formerly titled the WWSDA Labor Day Trial, this is the 34th year that the competition has entertained families and dog lovers, making it the second longest running "sheepdog trial" in the country.