Some of Australia’s top sheepdog handlers took to the paddock last weekend in the annual Australian Utility Sheepdog Championships held in Nyngan.

With participants from NSW, Qld, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, handlers and their dogs were put to the test in what some say is the ultimate sheep dog challenge.

This year’s top award went to Victorian handler Adam James and his dog Moss in a back-to-back win after also taking out the title in 2023.

In what was a tough competition, with many low scores, Mr. James was the obvious winner on the day a hefty 104 points ahead of his nearest rival over three rounds of scores.

“It was an amazing experience to win two years in a row with my dog Moss, especially on challenging sheep and with such a high level of competition. I really enjoyed the weekend,” said Mr. James.

With competition for all level of handlers, the Championships gives the handler and his dog the opportunity to take home a coveted Australian Title and to see the work of other dogs and handlers from across the nation.

Winner and Placegetters of the 2024 Championships on the podium: Gary White, Les Eveleigh, Adam James, Greg Walton and Maurice Metherell. IMAGE: Angie White

The committee followed along with the Olympic theme presenting medals and a podium for competitors along with a rousing version of the National Anthem to start the presentations.

“We are really happy with how the event went,” according to Nyngan Sheep Dog Workers President Gary White.

“We had a great bunch of handlers and their families this year and many travelled from long distances to be here,” said Mr. White.

“We are lucky to have some fantastic sponsors who support us to run this event and all the competitors get in and help us when we need it. It is fantastic to be able to run a national event in our small town and we thank everyone who makes it possible,” he said.

Gary White works his dog Whites Billy.

With a demanding course of cast, lift and draw sheep to handler, a yard component and then back out to the big paddock for the series of obstacles to finally pen the sheep it is not for the faint hearted, and showcases the all-round dog that many farmers like to have.

The Nursery for 2024 was won by Tony Vaughan of Pitt Town with local area competitors Jess Smith of Broken Hill and Phil Spackman of Nyngan taking out second and third places.

Greg Walton and his dog Louie of Mulgoa in NSW was next on the podium with a win in the hotly contested Novice section with Adrian Carpenter of Tassie in second and Adam James in third.

Les Eveleigh of Neilrex won the Improver Section for 2024.

The Improver was taken out by Neilrex handler Les Eveleigh and his dog Nellie with Kevin Howell of Eugowra scoring second and third place went to Danny Kerr of Obley NSW.

Other competitors to score well in the Championship event after winner Adam James were 2nd Les Eveleigh with Nellie, 3rd to Greg Walton and Harvey, 4th to Nyngan’s Gary White and his dog Pint, 5th Greg Walton and 6th Les Eveleigh, while Maurice Metherell came in in 7th place.

A highlight of the four days of competition was the much-awaited Interstate Challenge – a state against state event, with the winner vying for the best state title.

Adrian Carpenter of Tasmania winner of the coveted Interstate Challenge Title  

This year after a tussle of sorts Tasmania took out the Shield with handler Adrian Carpenter and his two dogs Monster and Biggin taking the Shield back on the boat for 2024.

In only its third year the event is gathering a following and the committee look forward to next year’s event being even bigger and better.