Benalla yard dog competitor Dale Thompson notched up his fourth win in the prestigious Hypro Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships at the 2025 Henty Machinery Field Days.

The championships were held over 23 - 25 September and drew a record 180 entries from throughout NSW and Victoria in the maiden, novice, improver and open events.

Michael Johnson, Bathurst, judged the open trial, while Neale Taylor, Holbrook, judged the improver, Mansfield Shire-local Aoidh Doyle, the novice and Dayne West, Dubbo, the maiden trial.

Brad Watts received the stockmanship award in the open, while in seventh was Catherine Raines, Cootamundra, with Asher, on 155 points.

Then followed Shane Maurer and Keeper, in sixth on 176 points, Fred Raines, Cootamundra, and Nina, fifth on 181 points, Dean Incher, Rafa, 182 points, fourth, Daniel Camillieri and Jade, third on 184 points, and Brad Watts with Chilly, second on 186 points.

Dale Thompson top scored on 187 points with his black and tan Kelpie, Giles Creek Clay.

Trial co-ordinator Barrick Parker, Cootamundra, said the prize money and in-kind prizes had been doubled to $10,000 with many new sponsors coming on board for the event run under the auspices of the NSW Yard Dog Association.

Mr Parker thanked Joe Kingston, Bullenbung Merino Stud, French Park, for supplying the sheep for the event.

Dale Thompson, Broken River Kelpies, paid tribute to the stockmanship and sportsmanship of the competitors.

Four-year-old Giles Creek Clay was bred by Holbrook trialler Neale Taylor and goes back on the maternal side to Broken River Alley.

He has won several NSW Championships and open trials.

“As a stock manager, I use him as one of my everyday dogs and have a few pups on the ground,” Mr Thompson said.

“This is a major win here as it’s a big one.

"To win Henty is always big.

"The sheep were very good over the three days – it wasn’t testy in the final, but testy enough and the dog had to be on song to get the high scores.

“He is a very good dog with an unbelievable nature.

"At work he doesn’t need to be tied up, he just goes to sleep on the buggy.”

As an organising committee member, Dale said the response this year had been overwhelming, and the field had to be reduced on the opening day for the judge to cope.