Field & Sheep

The Competition Field

The European Sheepdog Championship will take place on the event grounds of Kristalpark in Lommel, in the heart of the Belgian Kempen region. The venue is situated in an area that has long been characterised by extensive sandy soils, heathlands, and open landscapes. These dry, nutrient-poor soils have shaped the character of the region for centuries and remain a defining feature of the landscape surrounding the competition field.

The event grounds consist of a large, open area with gently undulating terrain. While the field may appear relatively flat at first sight, subtle changes in elevation create a natural challenge, meaning that dogs and handlers do not always have a continuous view of the sheep. These conditions closely resemble the traditional working environments in which sheepdogs were originally developed and employed.

The choice of Lommel as host venue is no coincidence. Sheep have historically played an important role in the Kempen landscape, where they were used to manage heathlands and formed an essential part of local farming systems for centuries. The wide open spaces that still characterise Lommel today are a reminder of this heritage and provide a fitting setting for a European Championship that celebrates the tradition of working sheepdogs.

From the competition field, participants will experience a landscape that is distinctly characteristic of Lommel: wide horizons, open skies, and sandy soils that have defined the identity of this region for generations. This makes Kristalpark not only a practical venue for a championship of this scale, but also a location with a strong connection to the history and character of Lommel.

📍 Location: Kristalpark Event Grounds
Balendijk 260, 3920 Lommel (Bel)

51.209732, 5.257858

The "Kempen" moor Sheep: Alert, Independent and True to the Flock

The "Kempen" moor Sheep is a breed with a strong flocking instinct and a lively character. Through centuries of grazing on the heathlands of the Campine region, it has developed into an alert, hardy and independent sheep that works exceptionally well with sheepdogs.

These sheep are attentive, prefer to stay together as a flock, and respond naturally to the pressure applied by the dog. This allows them to move smoothly and steadily across the field, making them particularly suitable for sheepdog trials.

For The Continental 2026, the sheep will be supplied by KEMP vzw. Carefully selected to represent the breed's typical characteristics, they will provide handlers with a fair and enjoyable working experience.

Thanks to their combination of intelligence, endurance and strong flocking behaviour, "Kempen" moor Sheep have been valued partners of shepherds for generations and remain an important part of the heathland landscapes of the Campine region.