Off to judge transtasman dog trial comp

Graham White with his dog Ladd. Photo / Ella Stokes

Mosgiel's Graham White was fascinated when he watched his first dog trials at the age of seven.

After being involved with dog trials for more than 40 years, Mr White said he still got a buzz out of it.

Early next month he will accompany the New Zealand team of four dog trialists and their dogs to Hawkesbury in New South Wales.

There he will judge the Wayleggo Cup where New Zealand and Australia's best dog trialists will go head-to-head in a transtasman test run in conjunction with the Australian championship final.

Mr White grew up in Waikouaiti and although he didn't come from a dog trialling family he has had many successes since he was young.

''I remember being amazed by where people could put their dogs since I was young ... and I still am.''

Mr White then farmed in Hindon before he and wife Shelly moved to Mosgiel four years ago.

Although there may not be as many sheep around, he still had a team of dogs and competed at trials throughout the country.

The end of January to June marked the dog trial season and Mr White said he loved getting out and competing.

He said one of the highlights of his dog trialling career was when he won a New Zealand championship in Omarama in 1996.

''I didn't even get to celebrate . . . I had to drive straight home because it was meant to be snowing.''

Mr White has many wins from trials around New Zealand under his belt and was also heavily involved with judging and has just stepped down from being the president of the New Zealand sheep dog association.

A place or a win at an Island or national championship is required to represent New Zealand in the transtasman test.

Mr White said he hasn't yet managed to qualify to compete at the Australian competition but it was a goal of his.

''The boys [in the New Zealand team] have won it for the past three years so I hope they can do the job again this year.''

This would be Mr White's fourth time being selected to judge and said he was excited to be going again.

''I've had so much fun trialling over the years and this is my chance to give back.''

He said one of his top tips would be to watch and listen as there was always something to learn.

''For as long as I can walk and see, I'll still be trialling.''

- Southern Rural Life