There is a real sense of family at the South Island Sheep Dog Championships at Earnscleugh Station, the event bringing hundreds of dogs and farmers to Central this week.

The trials are hosted by North Otago Centre at the majestic station, also home to Omakau-Earnscleugh Collie Club, and everything has been going smoothly so far organisers said.

Secretary of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association (NZSDTA) Debbie Pauling said the scenery was picturesque.

“It feels like we’re on the moon. Usually we’d be halfway up to our knees in mud at an event like this.”

She has been the secretary for the association for the past four years and is from Southbridge in Canterbury.

Sheep dog trials are in her blood as her father was a champion and her brother Kerry Pauling, from Springfield in Canterbury is the Vice President of NZSDTA and also run dogs.

 Siblings Debbie and Kerry Pauling by the honour roll, where their Dad is amongst the winners, at the South Island Sheep Dog Championships. PHOTO: Anna Robb

Kerry said the merino sheep used for the event were entirely different for many entrants.

“They look different, we don’t know them and the dogs haven’t seen them before.

“Merino work differently to cross breed sheep. They spook at their own shadow…they run for no obvious reason,” Kerry said.

His own dog was scratched from the event due to being on heat and he hoped to be back for the New Zealand Champs in Taumaranui, Waikato in three weeks time.

Kerry said the friendships and social aspects of events such as this one were a key part of attending, together with the honour if you were lucky enough to perform well.

"Then there's the adrenalin rush if you get your name up on the board."

Danseys Pass farmer James Crutchly is a third generation entrant in sheep dog trials, his dad and grandfather both used to participate.

Naseby's James Crutchly said he still had one more barrel to go (one more run for his dog), and he was hoping for an improvement. PHOTO: Anna Robb

He belongs to the Kyeburn Collie Club but despite being from a remote area he said there was a great sense of community at the event.

“Everyone knows each other from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South.

“We’re competing for a title... you don’t make a fortune out of dog trialling.”

For James dog trialling is something he’ll always come back to, for the sport and the social aspects. 

“There’s a real community sense here… it’s about connection with your dog.”

The trials continue today and tomorrow (Friday May 6) from 8.30am - 5.00pm and it’s free to attend.

Meals are available and the walls of the marquee feature the proud heritage of dog trials including stories, photos and names of previous winners.

The best and fiercest competition is yet to come. On Thursday afternoon there will be two huntaway events, followed by two heading dog events on Friday. 

The website is being updated daily at 9am, 12 noon and 4pm if you want to keep up with results. 

The results board which is updated three times a day during the event. A TV crew was visiting when The Central App was there too! PHOTO: Anna Robb

Fantastic Central landscape: One minute from the event and this is the view you'll enjoy on the drive back down. PHOTO: Anna Robb

There are usually four events at each trial: the Long Head, the Short Head and Yard, the Zig-Zag Huntaway and the Straight Huntaway events.

Heading dogs (silent working dogs) compete in the heading events; and huntaways (evolved from border collies and various barking sheep dog breeds) compete in the huntaway events.