Each year Australia and New Zealand compete against each other for the Wayleggo Cup. Each country takes it in turn to host and organise a test series. The Wayleggo Cup was first presented by the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association in 1994 for the Trans Tasman competition.

Inspired by Tony Shield, the President of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association at the time.

The term ‘wayleggo’ is an abbreviation for the ‘come away and let go’ command used by musterers and shepherds in New Zealand to call their dogs back from the stock they are working, usually over a very long distance. New Zealand is the current holder of this cup. Australia won in 1985,1990,1992,1993,1995,2000,2004, the first win competing in New Zealand was in 2005 and successfully defended at Narrandera in 2006. Further wins 2007,2009,2012, 2013 and 2022.

Each series consists of two tests, and the country with the highest combined aggregate wins the Cup.

Each team is made up of four competitors, with each country having a selection process to determine the team members. In Australia, the two best performing dogs from each of the six states compete against each other over three rounds, which are held on a Trans Tasman course. The four competitors with the top aggregate scores then become the Australian Test Team for the succeeding test series. The NZ Team is chosen from among the finalists at the North/South Island & NZ Championships.

The competition started in 1985 as a competition between New Zealand and Queensland. The Australian Sheepdog Workers’ Association was formed in 1988, and from 1990 assumed responsibility for the Trans Tasman competition, holding this event at Deloraine in Tasmania in 1990.

The competition is conducted over a special course with its own rules, developed specifically for the Trans Tasman competition. It is a mix of both Australian and New Zealand rules. The Trans Tasman course consists of 4 obstacles – a gate, a Maltese cross, a ramp and a pen. Australian rules apply as far as the gate, followed by a NZ drive through the Maltese cross and over the ramp, then back into an Australian carry to the pen. In the New Zealand sections competitors are allowed to assist their dog more than in the Australian section, thus showing their stockmanship skills.

The course must be completed in 15 minutes. There are two judges, one from each country, whose scores are averaged.

The Australian Trans Tasman team in 2013.

DOWNLOADS

Trans Tasman Rule Book

Trans Tasman Course Map

The Australian Winning Trans-Tasman

team 2022

2023 – Ashburton, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2022 – Campbell Town TAS
Winner: Australia

2021 – not run due to covid

2020 – not run due to covid

2019 – Nelson, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2018 – Hawkesbury, NSW. Australia
Winner: New Zealand

2017 – Taupo, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2016 – Northam, WA
Winner: New Zealand

2015 – Taupo, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2014 – Strathalbyn, SA
Winner: New Zealand

2013 – Ashburton, NZ
Winner: Australia

2012 – Warwick, QLD
Winner: Australia

2011 – Auckland, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2010 – Port Fairy, Vic
Winner: New Zealand

2009 – Taupo, NZ
Winner: Australia

2008 – Tasmania, Australia
Winner: Australia

2007 – New Zealand
Winner: New Zealand

2006 – Narrandera, NSW
Winner: Australia

2005 – Hastings & Hamilton, NZ
Winner: Australia

2004 – Northam, WA
Winner: Australia

2003 – Hastings & Ashburton, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2002 – Barmera, SA
Winner: New Zealand

2001 – Hastings & Hamilton, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

2000 – Sydney, NSW
Winner: Australia

1999 – Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1998 – Mystery Creek, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1997 – Barmera, SA
Winner: New Zealand

1996 – Mystery Creek, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1995 – Toowoomba, Qld
Winner: Australia

1994 – Palmerston North & Christchurch, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1993 – Canberra, ACT
Winner: Australia

1992 – Bendigo, Vic
Winner: Australia

1991 – Palmerston North & Christchurch, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1990 – Deloraine, Tas
Winner: Australia

1989 – No Test

1988 – Brisbane, Qld
Winner: New Zealand

1987 – Blenheim & Christchurch, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1986 – Palmerston North, NZ
Winner: New Zealand

1985 – Brisbane, Qld
Winner: Australia