Meet the Judges

Robin Dean
Lancashire, England

Robin Dean is a third-generation livestock farmer. Inspired by watching sheepdog trials at age five, he’s spent over 40 years breeding, training, and trialing working sheepdogs to support his life as a sheep and cattle farmer. Robin and his wife, Eileen, run a flock of 500 sheep at Hall Trees Farm. He is also active in the International Sheep Dog Society, serving as Senior Vice-President for England, as well as a trustee and council member. Robin has represented England five times at the International Trials—twice as English Brace Champion, once as reserve Brace Champion, and twice in the Singles, where he reached the Supreme Championship and finished 4th overall with his dog Roy. In addition to farming and trialing, Robin has judged many trials, from local events to major competitions such as the International Singles and Brace Championships, the English National, and the English Nursery Final. Grateful for a lifetime working with Border Collies, Robin believes the saying still holds true: “There is no good flock without a good shepherd, and no good shepherd without a good dog.”

Mosse Magnusson Valdemarsvik, Sweden

Mosse Magnusson is one of Europe’s most distinguished sheepdog handlers. A seven-time Swedish Champion, he has also won the Continental and Scandinavian Championships. He was selected six times for the Scottish National team and earned top finishes in the Supreme Championship, placing 3rd, 6th, and 9th. Mosse has also been the Isle of Man and Royal Welsh Champion. Beyond competition, Magnusson is deeply involved in the sheepdog community through judging and organizing events. He has judged trials across Europe, the UK, and the U.S., including the Kingston Sheepdog Trials and the Bluegrass. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the sport in both Sweden and Scotland.

Dean McAuley
Larne, Northern Ireland

Dean has been working with border collies for 20 years. He shepherds on the outskirts of Larne, Northern Ireland, where his dogs are his working partner’s and trial dogs. Dean won the Northern Ireland Sheepdog Handlers Association (NISHA) Nursery Final in 2017, the NISHA v Clewbay Supreme Nursery in 2020, and was the 2021 Irish National Reserve Singles Champion. He is a two-time Irish Brace Champion (2021 & 2022) and has represented Ireland eight times in the Singles at the International trial and also competed in the Supreme. Dean has judged trials in Ireland, Italy, Scotland (the 2024 Scottish Nursery Final), and several in North America. He is honored to judge the 2025 USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals.

Linda Tesdahl
Mount Airy, MD USA

Linda has been raising, training, and trialing working Border Collies for over 35 years. She runs a small farm where she raises Border Cheviot crosses and keeps about 60 ewes, many from the flock she started in 1993. Linda has trialed and judged across the country, including major double-lift events like Soldier Hollow and Meeker. She enjoys helping others in the sport by giving lessons and hosting clinics and takes pride in helping dogs and handlers reach their potential — whether for Pro Novice, ranch work, or top-level competition. Linda is honored to be judging the 2025 USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals and looks forward to giving it her best.

About the Judging

˝©Lisa Berglund | Photography

Open - Preliminary Round - 100 total points

In the Preliminary Round there will be 5 sheep set for the handler and dog to navigate through the course. For judging purposes, there are 6 different elements in this round. There is a maximum time allotted, however, there is no advantage to finishing quickly. If the times expires while a handler is still on course, they receive all points up to that point. No points from the element they are on, or subsequent elements, will be awarded.

Nursery Field - 90 total points

The Nursery program showcases the ability of younger dogs in sheepdog work. The dog's third birthday must fall after July 1st of the current calendar year.

These dogs will still have 5 sheep set, however, you will notice the sheep are not set as far away as they are for open. The drive is also shorter and there is no shed element for nursery dogs.

The Outrun/Gather

20 points

All handlers and dogs will start from the same location, known as the post. The sheep will be set in a common location by the set-out crew. The handler may send their dog to the left or right side of the field, but once the dog is sent in one direction, it should not cross the field to the other side of the sheep. The dog should run in a pear like shape, wide enough it doesn't disturb the sheep as it approaches, but not excessively wide either.

The Lift

10 points

The lift is the point of where the dog introduces itself to the sheep and makes that first move down the field. The dog should come into the sheep's bubble with confidence, but not diving in and sending the sheep fleeing. The dog should be in a location, such that the sheep begin their path straight to the handler.

The Fetch

20 points

The straight line from the set-out point, through the fetch gates and to the handler is known as the fetch. Ideally the sheep should be marching along in a rhythmed jog, with the dog holding them to a straight line. At this point the judge just wants to see sheep noses coming straight at them.

The Drive

30 points

Once the sheep have turned the handler's post, the drive portion of the course begins. The drive is divided into 3 segments. The drive way, is where the dog is taking the sheep directly away from the handler and through the drive-away gate. Once they cross the plane of this gate, the handler will have the dog turn the sheep for the cross-drive segment. During the cross-drive the judge is looking to just see the sides of the sheep. After the plane of the cross-drive panels is broken, the final leg of the drive to the shedding ring or pen begins. During the drive the sheep should still be marching along. Too much stopping and going or running may upset the sheep, making them less cooperative and also result in points being deducted.

The Shed *

10 points

As the sheep enter the shedding ring, the handler will leave the post to go work with their dog to complete the shed. During the shed, the handler and dog are to separate 2 sheep from the remaining three. The dog is to take control of the 2 sheep, not letting them join back with the group, until the judge calls the shed good. This process must happen inside the shedding ring, the sheep may leave the ring once the dog has come through and taken control, but not before.

*You will not see this element being preformed in the Nursery Classes.

The Pen

10 points

Once the sheep are regathered from the shed, the dog is to take the sheep to the pen. The handler will open the pen and must maintain contact with the rope that is attached to the gate. Both the dog and handler have a responsibility to keep the sheep from breaking around their side of the pen and to convince the sheep to enter. Watch out, too much pressure applied by the handler and dog will cause the sheep to feel trapped and make a break for it. The pen is completed once the gate is shut.

Open - Semi-Final Round - 110 total points

This round will still be comprised of 5 sheep, however, you will notice that two of the sheep will have red collars on them.

During the shed element of the course the handler must select 2 un-collared sheep to shed off and take control of. They will then move on and pen all 5 sheep. Once the pen is completed they will move onto a 7th element.

The Single - 10 points

After successfully penning the sheep, the dog will return the sheep to the shedding ring. At this point the handler and dog work as a team to shed off and take control of one of the collared sheep.