Chances of NZ win pretty good: triallist

East Otago triallist Lloyd Smith and his heading dog Code are in a team out to beat their Australian rivals and bring home the Wayleggo Cup. Smith talks to Shawn McAvinue about their surprise selection and his successes during more than 40 years at the top level of the sport.

A wooden sign covered in moss on a fence on the sheep and beef farm of Lloyd Smith in Palmerston reads "dog training paddock".

The time spent in that paddock continues to pay off for the veteran triallist.

Smith and his heading dog Code have been selected for the New Zealand team to contest the Wayleggo Cup in a transtasman test series over two days at the Ashburton A&P Show from October 31.

Australia holds the cup after winning in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, last year and Smith said the Kiwis would "endeavour to get it back".

In Australia, the home team has the upper hand because they use merino sheep which had limited contact with people, and New Zealand dogs were new to the wild nature of the Aussie flock.

In New Zealand, crossbred sheep were used, bringing its own home advantage.

"It is a bit like preparing a cricket wicket, you prepare it for the home team," he said.

The other New Zealand team members are captain Mark Copland and his dog Guy, of Methven Collie Club in Canterbury Centre, Leo Jecentho and Jake, of Karioi Sheep Dog Trial Club in Waikato Centre and Ben Millar and King, of Glenroy in Canterbury Centre.

The reserve is Brian Dickison and dog Dan, of Greenvale Dog Trial Club in Southland Centre.

"It is a pretty strong team. I like to think we have a pretty good chance," Smith said.

Smith and Code competed in the short head and yard at the South Island and New Zealand Championships at Lochiel Station in Hanmer Springs recently and placing fifth in the South Island champs, drawing seventh and final place in the run-off at nationals.

The duo finished sixth in the national championships.

Code had a good run to the pen but did not yard the Romney flock.

Code did not place in the top three at nationals, Smith was surprised to have been selected for the New Zealand team.

He and Code also competed in the national run-off last year.

The consistent performance of the 5-year-old dog might have helped them get selected for the national team, he said.

Code was the progeny of Smith’s bitch Samantha and a dog Crest, owned by his son-in-law Scott Hunter in Omarama.

Smith’s farm near Palmerston was once twice the size.

He and his late wife Linda sold half of it so they could semi-retire and continue farming, rather than sell up and move to town.

"I keep some dogs on and can carry on doing what I enjoy doing."

He now runs about 250 ewes and about 45 beef cattle.

His wife — who he described as his biggest supporter — died in February this year after battling cancer.

The couple’s 50th wedding anniversary was the same month she died.

Smith has been dog-trialling for more than 40 years.

His first year competing was with huntaway Oak in Lowburn in 1982.

The pair won a national championship in 1983.

"He was an exceptional dog."

He won four New Zealand hunt titles before he won a heading title.

As you age, a heading dog suits you better, he said.

"I don’t have the work for the young huntaways anyway."

Since starting in the sport, he had placed 69 times in island and national championships, competing with 24 dogs.

"I have been there or there or thereabouts for the last 40-odd years."

Some of the scores of trophies he won were on display in his house, some were in cabinets, some were used as door stops.

The rest were stored in a shipping container outside.

The prizes include five green ties for winning national championships.

He had also won six island championships.

Smith has represented New Zealand before.

He and his dog Ace won the New Zealand champs in Gore in 2010 and got selected for the New Zealand team.

Being able to represent your country was a "great thrill".

"When you are standing out there and the national anthem is being played, it makes you feel pretty proud."

Ace had the same mother as Code.

Smith then made the national team again in Wānaka with heading dog Risk about two years later.

Risk broke her leg before she was able to compete.

He had been reserve for the transtasman test twice including Ashburton in 2023 but was never called on to compete.

The Wayleggo Cup competition course was split in four sections.

Two sections were run under New Zealand rules and two sections were run under Australian rules.

"You have to be mindful if you are in a New Zealand section or an Australian section."

Under New Zealand rules, triallists were more free to move their body in a way to coax a flock in a direction.

Australian rules meant a triallist had to stand still during a certain part of the course.

"Their rules take a bit of adjusting to. Here you are allowed to move your arms and help the dog but over there it is not allowed so you’ve virtually got to put your hands in your pockets."

Smith is the president of the Waihemo Collie Club in the North Otago Centre, a position he had held before.

"We are limited member-wise so they are getting into recycling us oldies now. It is a good wee club."

His late wife was a life member of the club and her involvement included running the cookshop.

Winter was a good time to train working dogs, as there was less farm work to do than usual.

Training a pup and taking it to the top level of the sport was the "ultimate", he said.

"A pups isn’t born with bad habits. The reason they end up with them is people let them develop."

Wayleggo Cup

What: Annual transtasman sheep dog trial test series.

Test series: 37.

New Zealand won: 22.

Australia won: 15.

Where: Alternates between the two countries.

This year: Ashburton from October 31.

Current cup holder: Australia.

First competition: Brisbane in 1985.

shawn.mcavinue@alliedpress.co.nz