Tim and Michael Hall represent Tasmania at National Yard Dog Championships

Tasmania’s reputation for producing top stock handlers and working dogs has been further boosted with two competitors finishing in the top 10 of the National Yard Dog Championships held in South Australia last week.

Connorville, Cressy stockman Tim Hall, who stepped up to fill a vacant Tasmanian representative position, was the highest placegetter with Jindi Spade taking him into fourth spot.

Brother and current state champion Michael Hall, who works for Woodside Pastoral, was attending his first Australian championship and was thrilled to finish 10th with Findale Jock.

Their combined efforts and consistent scores landed them the Interstate Challenge title, finishing well ahead of the competition to bring home a trophy and the perpetual shield.

Ben Lane from Woodbourn at Cressy, and Kristin Blazely, from Connorville, also put in great runs with their dogs, finishing well up in the list of more than 400 dogs that competed across various categories.

The Championship event tested 30 elite dogs and to have two from Tasmania in the top 10 in Australia was a proud result for the Tasmanian Yard Dog Association.

“It was tough contest due to the long, hot days and the sheep were very hard – a lot of dogs didn’t even complete the course,” Michael said upon his return on Tuesday.

“But the Tassie dogs did very well and I was thrilled with how Jock handled the conditions.”

The 2026 Australian Champion was Thomas Woolford and Mac from New South Wales.