Family ties and heading dogs: Southern in-laws unite for transtasman clash

For the first time, North Otago Centre dog trialists Lloyd Smith and his son-in-law Scott Hunter will be in the same team when they compete for transtasman test honours next week. The New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial team will attempt to regain the Wayleggo Cup during a three-test series in Stanthorpe, southwest of Brisbane, for three days from Friday, August 28. Smith, of Palmerston, and Hunter, of Omarama, have competed in transtasman tests before but never together. “It is pretty cool. We get on well and have trained together over the years,” Smith said. Smith’s heading dog Guide will make his test debut on Australian soil. Hunter and his heading dog Lucy would both be representing New Zealand for the second time. The rest of the team were captain Mark Copland and dog Don and Ben Millar and King, both from the Canterbury Centre. Brian Dickison and Jake, from Wendon Valley in Southland, are the non-travelling reserves. The team flies out of Christchurch on Wednesday next week. The test would be the third cap for Smith. He had also been a manager and judge at another transtasman competition. Despite his 7-year-old dog being a test debutant, he was experienced and was third in the short head and yard at this year’s New Zealand championships in Hawke’s Bay. “He has been consistent the last year or two between long heads and yardings, he’s been there or thereabouts,” Smith said. SHAWN MCAVINUENew Zealand transtasman test team member Lloyd Smith, of Palmerston, and his heading dog Guide are on their way to Queensland to attempt to regain the Wayleggo Cup from Australia between August 28 and 30. Photo: Shawn McAvinue He admired Guide’s character. “I’ve always liked him because he has always had endeavour, he’ll just keep going. Out on the hill mustering, he’s the kind of dog you need to manage because on a hot day, he would run until he drops. He’s always had plenty of desire to work and get things done.” He bred Guide from a bitch he owned, Ruby, who came on heat when he was training her in Gisborne. He rang a “very good dog man”, Bob Bryson, to ask if he could leave Ruby with him and if it was possible one of his good dogs could put her in pup. Guide is the progeny of Poverty Bay dog Bolt. “The whole litter went well.” Winning a test in Australia was hard, Smith said. The competition course was split in four sections — a gate, a Maltese cross, a ramp and a pen. Two sections were run under New Zealand rules and two sections under Australian rules. SHAWN MCAVINUENew Zealand transtasman test team member Scott Hunter and heading dog Lucy on their training ground at Berwen Station in Omarama. Photo: Shawn McAvinue Australian rules apply as far as the gate, followed by a New Zealand drive through the Maltese cross and over the ramp, then back into an Australian carry to the pen. In the Australian sections, triallists must walk at the same pace, which was different to competing in New Zealand where triallists could stop walking or change pace to assist their dog. Another difference was triallists having to stand in rings on different parts of the Australian section to ensure they could not assist their dog moving the sheep through a gap or into the pen. Once the sheep were penned, the triallist could move from the ring and shut the gate. In New Zealand regional competitions, when a triallist moved sheep to a pen, they could move an arm or leg to try to coax the trio in a certain direction. Abiding by Australian rules and standing still could be difficult at times, Smith said. “It is a reflex reaction. If you had a young fella working for you putting sheep in a tailing pen and a lamb broke past and he didn’t do anything about it, you’d kick his backside. It is in our DNA to do something and help your dog but over there, it is a bit different.” Smith had created the Australian sections of the competition course on his Palmerston property to familiarise Guide with the rule amalgamation. Merino four-tooth and six-tooth wethers would be used in the competition in Australia. “They can be half feral over there,” he said. [Missing Credit]Wayleggo Cup by the numbers Having all team members in the South Island was a rarity and made it easier to hold a couple of two-day practice sessions. Sessions on merino sheep were held at Berwen Station, a 3500ha sheep and beef property Hunter manages in Omarama. Two-tooth merinos from the Anderson family’s Ben Omar Station were used, Smith said. The practices had gone well. The 73-year-old won his first national championship in 1983 and continues to enjoy the sport. “The people and the places. It gets you up a lot of different gullies you wouldn’t normally go up. The good thing about dog trialling is there is no age limit. As long as you are above ground, you can dog trial.” A bit of success helped keep him in the game. “While you’re playing this silly game, you like to think you can be competitive and hold your own with the best of them.” Everything could be going your way and one sheep could change everything in a moment. “It is character building, that’s for sure. You can be on top of the world and it can all fall apart pretty quick.” He is the president of the Waihemo Collie Club. “The club is going good and we are getting a few younger ones involved.” Smith and his dog Code were in the New Zealand team when Australia retained the cup in Ashburton last year. SHAWN MCAVINUENew Zealand transtasman test team member Scott Hunter, of Omarama, is stoked to be representing New Zealand. Photo: Shawn McAvinue Hunter said he was stoked to be representing New Zealand. “It is a privilege and to do it with my father-in-law is pretty cool.” The team had been fundraising to compete in Australia and he thanked sponsors for making it possible. “It is a big ask and we are lucky to have sponsors jump on board and help us.” He and his 8-year-old dog Lucy won the long head title and placed third in the short head and yard at this year’s South Island championships in May. This was the second time Hunter had competed in a transtasman test. “I’m looking forward to having another crack at it.” He competed with Lucy in Geelong, Australia in 2024, a test which New Zealand lost. “Hopefully we can rectify that.”

Family ties and heading dogs: Southern in-laws unite for transtasman clash

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