2010 NATIONAL FINAL SHEEP DOG TRIALS AT BELLE GROVE

September 18 – 26

Belle Grove’s founder, Major Isaac Hite, kept a flock of at least 500 Merino sheep on Belle Grove’s property.  His brother-in-law, James Madison, was a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, the first to import sheep dogs from Europe to Virginia, so this event is closely tied to Belle Grove’s history.  The 2010 National Final Sheep Dog Trials will feature champion dogs from each state in the United States and Canada, who will compete for the North American Championship.  The trials start with Open Qualifying rounds, then into the Semi-Finals, and ends on September 25 & 26 with the Grand Championship.  Come and be a spectator of this great event, beautifully played out on Belle Grove’s open pastures.

Admission: $12 per day for adults and children 12 years and older; children 11 and under free.

http://www.nationalsheepdogfinals.com/information/spectators.html