Not only did the 70-year-old win the short head and yard national title with Don at the New Zealand dog trial championships at Omarama on Saturday, but he was also named a life member of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association.
Now a four-time national champion, the 15th life member of the association, who for 12 years served on the judging panel, had no plans on ending his days of competing in the sport.
"It's hard to justify being a life member when you're just doing something you love doing,'' he said.
"I still love competing and I still love running them, all that hasn't changed. I'm not quite certain I'm as driven as I used to be . . . but I still love competing and I quite like winning, too.
A third-generation dog-triallist, Mr Anderson began dog-trialling in 1963 but it was something he had always known.
"I grew up with it. My father was a keen dog man,'' he said.
Mr Anderson, the Omarama club patron, said perhaps this year the Omarama club had an advantage at the trials; unlike some competitors, Omarama club members work with merinos every day.
"I think we understand the sheep better than a lot of people do,'' he said.
The championships had been lucky with the weather.
After a shaky start on Monday and Tuesday, the week had turned out some fine days.
At the weekend, Palmerston triallist Lloyd Smith, with Check, was named reserve in the New Zealand test team to travel to Western Australia in October.
The team is Murray Child (captain) and Deal, Eion Herbert and Storm, Stuart Millar and Rain and Leo Edginton and Skip.
They will be accompanied by judge and manager Graham White, from Otago, who is also president of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association.
Results. -New Zealand championship
Zig zag hunt: Hamish Parkinson's Shake (Owhango) 193 1, Troy MacDonald's Jude (Hunterville) 189.25 2, Alex Matthews' Rex (Wanganui) 188.75 3, Dave Stuart's Gus (Ashhurst) 188 4, Mark Mallinson's Yeti (Geraldine) 187.5 5, Simon Prouting's Vince (Dannevirke) 186.5 6, Steve Kerr's Sam (Fairlie) 183 7.
Short head and yard: Ginger Anderson's Don 185.75 1, Lloyd Smith's Check 185 2, Scott McRae's Skeata 181.75 3, Dave Wallace's Toi 177.75 4, Gavin Drake's Clyde 164 5, Jeremy Berry's Moon 162.75 6, Leo Edginton's Deal 147.25 7.
South Island championshipShort head and yard: Leo Edginton's Deal (Tolaga Bay) 95.75 1, Lloyd Smith's Check (Palmerston) 95.5 2, Jeremy Berry's Moon (Napier) 94.5 3, Ginger Anderson's Don (Omarama) 93 4, Scott McRae's Skeata (Wellsford) 92.75 5, Gavin Drake's Clyde (Hunterville) 92.5 6, Dave Wallace's Toi (Kotemaori) 92.25 7.
Dog of the day: Gus
A 9-year-old huntaway owned by Matt Clark, of Fairlie.
Greatest trialling achievement: Qualifying for South Island and New Zealand championships.
Worst habit: "Whining.''
