Australian sheepdog handler Jess Kimpton has made history as the first woman to be part of a team to win the Wayleggo Cup at the 2025 Trans-Tasman Sheepdog Test in New Zealand.
The event, held from October 31 to November 1, saw top handlers and dogs from Australia and New Zealand compete on a hybrid course, guiding three sheep through four obstacles. Australia won with a team total of 688.25 points, ahead of New Zealand’s 626.75. Kimpton’s personal scores were 85.25 and 88 in the two rounds.
Kimpton, who competed with her seven-year-old Border Collie, Newcomen Stitch, said she was over the moon with the achievement
“There’s always a strong rivalry with New Zealand, but it’s built on good sportsmanship. Being out there to win for our country has been an honour. This win isn’t just ours; it’s for everyone who’s supported us along the way, from the local trial community to the Australian team selectors who believed in us.”
Kimpton, 32-years-old from East Kurrajong, NSW, has been trialling in three-sheep working dog trials for around 15 years and training sheepdogs for more than 12. She is only the third woman ever to qualify for the Australian Trans-Tasman team and just the second from NSW.
“These days you’re just another competitor. The women in the sport cheer each other on, and we’re proving we’re not just making up the numbers — we’re competitive!”
Kimpton balances her sheepdog career with motherhood and life on her Hawkesbury Valley property, where she and her husband raise their young daughter, their livestock, and six Border Collies.
“Stitch is more than a ‘trial dog’; she’s my partner. When we’re in sync it’s magic. She’ll even ‘tell me’ when I’m wrong. It’s a true partnership – almost like we can read each other’s minds.”
To stay up to date on the latest industry headlines, sign up to the Pet Industry News e-newsletter.