Dog triallists on hunt to beat Aust

New Zealand transtasman team members Scott Hunter and heading dog Lucy. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

North Otago Centre triallists Lloyd Smith and Scott Hunter, and their respective heading dogs, are part of a team to attempt to regain the Wayleggo Cup from Australia.

The 2026 New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial team will compete in a transtasman test series in Stanthorpe, southwest of Brisbane, in late August.

Team captain Mark Copland with dog Don and Ben Millar with dog King, all of Canterbury Centre, will join Mr Smith with dog Guide and Mr Hunter with dog Lucy.

The team’s non-travelling reserve is Brian Dickison and dog Jake, of Greenvale Dog Trial Club in Southland.

Mr Smith, taking a break from drenching lambs on his farm in Palmerston, said it was a "big thrill" to be selected to represent New Zealand.

The Waihemo Collie Club president was a bit surprised by his selection, after he and Guide placed third in the short head and yard in the New Zealand Championship in Hawke’s Bay last month, following a 7th in the North Island Championship to qualify for the run-off.

The sheep in the championship run-off were "toey", Mr Smith said.

He was one of the three finalists to get the sheep in the pen.

"I was lucky enough to yard."

Mr Smith and his dog Code were in the New Zealand team which lost to the Australians in Ashburton last year.

"I was disappointed with how things went last year so we’re hoping to put out a better performance."

His 7-year-old dog Guide was in good form.

"He’s been there or thereabouts for a few years."

Since starting in the sport, Mr Smith had placed more than 70 times in island and national championships, competing with more than 20 dogs.

This was the third time he had been selected for a New Zealand heading test team.

For the first time Mr Smith would compete in the New Zealand team alongside Mr Hunter, his son-in-law.

Being selected for the New Zealand team was "pretty cool", Mr Hunter said.

Recent results for him and Lucy included winning the long head at the South Island Championship in Western Southland last month.

New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association team member Lloyd Smith, of Palmerston, and his heading dog Code, compete in the Wayleggo Cup at the Ashburton A&P Show last year. PHOTO: MEGAN ELLIS

He and Lucy also placed third in the short head and yard at the same competition.

The Omarama Collie Dog Club member had competed for the Wayleggo Cup once before.

He and Lucy had an unsuccessful attempt in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, in 2024.

A focus for the team members for the next couple of month would be keeping their dogs fit and "a fair bit of practice".

All of the New Zealand team members living in neighbouring centres makes it easier for them to train together.

"We are lucky as we all live in Canterbury or North Otago and don’t have to travel too far."

The last time New Zealand lifted the Wayleggo Cup was in Ashburton in 2023.

Mr Hunter believed the 2026 team was capable of lifting the cup.