Description
We welcome Tim Thewissen as he comes to Soldier Hollow for the first time. Tim is an international sheepdog trial competitor originally from Belgium, currently based in the UK where he works full-time as a shepherd managing 4,000 ewes and 120 cattle. He began working with sheep in 2016 in the Netherlands and committed fully to competitive sheepdog work in 2018. Since then, he has represented Wales at national level and competed successfully across multiple countries in Europe. Tim’s competitive journey started with Fellside Finn, who proved to be an exceptional dog and remains one of the most influential partners of his career. With Finn, he earned nearly 300 Open points, achieved multiple placings and wins including the Talgarreg Double Gather and the Dutch Open in 2023. Finn was selected as a Welsh National Team member in 2022 and 2024. In 2026, at 10 years of age, Finn is retiring from competition with an outstanding record. In addition to trials and shepherding, Tim also judges and gives clinics, having officiated at Nursery, Open, and World/Continental qualification trials.
Fynbos Turk is exceptionally well bred, with multiple national and international winners in his pedigree, and he fully lives up to that promise. He is a tremendous hill dog with a big, correct outrun, excellent stamina, and the ability to work hard all day on rough terrain. He has consistently placed in Open trials in the UK and Europe and is proven across all types of sheep, from light and flighty to heavy and stubborn. What Tim loves most about Turk is his outstanding outrun, stamina, and strength as a hill dog, along with his naturally clean moves and nice forward paddle, making him efficient and honest on stock.
