Sheepdog Trialling
When Milton was 12 years old, his grandfather took him to a sheepdog trial in nearby Strathalbyn. During his teen years he helped out at the local Milang trial, where renowned South Australian breeder and trainer, Malcolm Sorrell, encouraged him to have a go. At the age of 18, when other lads were chasing women and driving fast cars, Milton began sheepdog trialling.
After winning the first Encourage he entered, and also his first Novice a week later, he thought this trialling business was for him. Unbenownst to him, it would be many years before he finally got an Open win, although he was a consistent “penner” and received quite a few placings. During this time, he only went to a few trials in amongst his shearing run. His priority has always been farm work first, with trialling as the hobby.
Looking back, one of the most helpful and encouraging parts of his early trialling career was meeting up with Gavin Flavel, who was also starting at the same time. They formed a strong friendship over the years, critiquing and encouraging each other with their dog training.
Along his journey he had input from Greg Prince and Bernard Ahrens, whose techniques, added to his own experience, helped him get to where he is now.
Sheepdog trialling has taken Milton to many places, in more ways than one. He has competed all over the state and represented South Australia in Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland. He won the South Australian State Championships in 2005, 2015 and 2018, with a different dog each time. 2019 was a very successful year, winning the SA Dog of the Year, and qualifying for the Australian team with Andrina Floss. Unfortunately, COVID prevented the team from competing against the New Zealand team the following year. The next Supreme Australian Championships were held in October 2022 in Tasmania. Milton once again made the Australian team, with the Kiwis coming over to compete at the same trial. The Aussies won the Wayleggo Cup for the first time since 2013!
Over the years Milton has served as president of the South Australian Working Sheepdog Association for a number of years, in the early 2000s and again in the 2010s. He has been on the association’s Council for many years and is a respected judge.
Milton is passionate about breeding and working border collies. He is a walking encyclopedia of sheepdog pedigrees and loves watching good dogs work.