Local competitor and NSW Working Stock Dog Association vice-president Ann Sant is behind the event, which she hopes will help make the sport more popular in the Macleay.

Working dog trials are similar to the more familiar sheepdog trials, but use cattle instead of sheep.

As well as $2000 in prizes for the regular competitors there will be $200 on offer for the best local first-time competitor.

“We hope to have well over 100 competitors in maiden, novice and open classes as well as a few locals,” Ann said.

“I had someone say they wouldn’t mind entering but they didn’t think the judges would like the language they use to work their dog.

"But let's just say the normal judging standards will be relaxed a little bit for the first-time competitors so they can have a bit of fun and learn what working dog trials are all about.”

Ann said the sport was equally open to young and old, men and women.

“It is about how well you work your dog and that’s it,” she said.

“At one of the trials I was at recently there were three generations of the same family competing together.”

Border collies, kelpies, koolies and cattle dogs, or a mix of these breeds, are the main type of dog competing in working dog trials.

Ann said she hopes to do well but just wants to compete to the best of her and her dog’s ability.

“If I can walk away at the end of the day and know the dog has worked well for me and given their best then the result is not that important,” she said.

“I hope that people come along and either enter the first-time class or have a look at the sport and get interested.

“It’s becoming more popular than ever and we will be looking to make it a regular event if all goes well.”

The Gladstone Working Stock Dog Trial will be run at the Gladstone racetrack campdraft grounds on November 22 and 23.

Any profits from the day will go back into improving and maintaining the grounds.

For more information you can phone Ann Sant on 0421 774 083.