The sport of Sheep Dog Trials first started in Australia in 1870 at Forbes in the western district of New South Wales and is a popular hobby today both for the primary producer who have their dogs for work and recreation, and to the sheep dog enthusiast who pursues this sport for pleasure while keeping alive the tradition of the bush.
The complex judging process that decides the winners through a marked course of three obstacles; being a gap, bridge and pen remain as it was 140 years ago with some small refinements.