Results - Cootamundra Trial - Apr. 18-19 2026

Judging Simplified

The Australian Utility Stock Dog Society Inc. Judging System is simple and fair.

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Practicality and common sense override technicalities, ensuring that:

  1. Disqualifications are minimised
  2. Dogs are judged on their merit

‘Stock Dog Challenges’ have 4 ASPECTS of equal importance:

(a) Long Searching Casts and Mustering (sheep)

(b) Paddock and Obstacle Work (sheep)

(c) Yard Work (sheep)

(d) Cattle Handling

50 Points

50 Points

50 Points

50 Points

Final Score:

200 / 2 =

Out of 100 points

[(a) and (b) are a combined paddock component]

Competitors are expected to attempt all obstacles and sections of each Aspect.

Instead of starting with 100 points and deducting points for every misdemeanour, a point score is GIVEN for each of the many obstacles and sections that are COMPLETED, based upon good stockmanship achievements.

For simplicity, points are spread through the ranges of:

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

Scores given for each obstacle and section are retained, and cannot be undermined by faults occurring elsewhere.

COMMON SENSE SCENARIOS

  1. If for any reason an obstacle or section is NOT COMPLETED, no points are awarded for that obstacle or section
  2. If a RETIREMENT occurs during Aspects (a), (b), (c), or (d), no points are awarded for that Aspect
  3. If an obstacle or section within any Aspect is NOT ATTEMPTED it is a RETIREMENT, and no points are awarded for that Aspect
  4. If any Aspect is NOT ATTEMPTED, it is a SCRATCHING, and any points awarded are NOT APPLICABLE
  5. If an obstacle or section within an Aspect is ATTEMPTED but found to be too difficult, you can move forward without disqualification, but no points are awarded for that obstacle or section
  6. If TIME EXPIRES, all points awarded are RETAINED
  7. Backing and Barking are ASSESSED ONLY because they are not always required to get a job done

Although assessments may be given, it is only points for COMPLETED parts throughout a challenge that count.

Judges simply circle their chosen points of merit as each run progresses.

Score Keepers calculate the Final Score for each dog.

For transparency, the data is transferred onto a large spreadsheet for all to see.

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