A young sheepdog handling enthusiast from Eden has been selected to represent England at an international contest at Daylesford Farm, in the Cotswolds, from September 11 to 13th.
The International Supreme Sheepdog Trial 2026 will see 20-year-old Zak Edwards, from Penruddock, and his dog Queen, a four-year-old bitch, compete against their counterparts from Wales, Scotland and Ireland in the young handler section, for those aged 21 and under.
Zak has been competing at trials held by the North Westmorland Sheepdog Society for just two years but has already impressed with his high level of competence.
He said he was shocked but very pleased to be selected for the international, which he considers his best achievement so far in the trials world.
Keen to do as well as possible at the prestigious event, he has been running Queen every night, either at Penruddock or on the farm at Ousby where he works.
He added that it is thanks to the expertise of veterinary professionals that Queen is able to compete, since she broke a leg last November but this has been fused so she can get around without difficulty.
The trial also incorporates individual and brace competitions for handlers from the four home nations, with the top honour being the International Supreme Championship.
Other rural skills will also be celebrated, including dry stone walling, cider making, bee keeping and wool weaving.