THE Ultimate Stock Dog Challenge is back and set to be bigger and better than ever this year.
Matt Sherwood and his brother Chris, both of Goulburn, pioneered the concept of the challenge for last year's inaugural event and following good feedback are holding it in Taralga again this year from Friday, May 22.
The prize money on offer this year is $10,000, with first prize taking home $5000.
"I don't know if it's the richest (dog trial) in Australia but it would be one of them," Mr Sherwood said.
He said it drew competitors from Queensland, Victoria and all across NSW last year, and the same was expected this year.
This event puts a dog through its paces in three sections - cattle, paddock and yard.
The sections are based on traditional trials including cattle trials, three sheep trials and yard dog trials, but instead of the dog specialising in one event it must be able to take on all three.
The dog gains points for each section and those are tallied together, with the dog with the most points taking home the title.
Each handler is only allowed to enter two dogs for the three-day competition, and overall entries are capped at 60.
"We are aiming to get people's best, we've limited it to two dogs to give a broader number of people coming along.
"The idea behind the competition is to find a dog that can do the lot, most dogs that compete out there compete in a specialised field and we are trying to make this practical.
"Chris and I worked out the concept as we were always trying to find dogs to use on our farms that could do a bit of everything.
"We've always competed in trials, but you only ever see that one dog in one style of event, so we thought 'why not create something that brings all those events together'?"
The event kicks off on Friday when the paddock and yard sections start.
Saturday sees those events continue, while Sunday sees the final section, the cattle, kick off.
The same arena is used for the cattle and the sheep, although it is made a bit smaller for the cattle section.
"It's pretty interesting with just having one event on the Sunday, as Saturday night everybody is talking about who is sitting where and then when the cattle kicks off everybody can see how the competition is taking shape."
Mr Sherwood said there was still some positions available for entries this year, although the competition was almost full.
"We've been overwhelmed with the support," he said.
"Everybody loved it last year and got behind it which is great."
Last year's inaugural reigning champion would also be making a return.
Adam James took out the competition with Tundabardi Buster last year with a total of 257 points, second place went to Nick Ray with Ehsmans Sweep at 249 points and third went to Greg Walton, with Karana Jed on 245 points.
Mr Sherwood said Mr James "came along for a look" last year and then ended up winning it.
Wollondale Hampshire Downs and Bannaby Angus were sponsoring the event this year.
Glynn Langford of Bannaby Angus was providing cattle while Ian Baxter and Stephen Connor were supplying sheep.
Spectators were welcome to attend the event for free.