The Strath Taieri Collie Club member and two-time national title winner has again qualified for the New Zealand Championship Trials, to be held in Omarama from May 30.
He first competed in 2002 and claimed a national title in 2005 and 2008, as well as placing in 2007 and 2012.
The Hindon-based sheep and beef farmer played his chances this year, but was looking forward to another year of competition.
‘‘I wouldn't say I'm confident,'' Mr Tisdall said.
‘‘There's quite a lot to it.
‘‘My huntaway is a young dog, his first season out. He's gone quite well but he's still just green.
‘‘My heading dog on his day, he's possibly got a chance, like everybody else.
‘‘To compete at that level [the dogs] have to have that wee bit extra and a bit of luck helps sometimes too.''
He entered huntaways and heading dogs in the competition and was an avid trainer.
His dogs were used for work and trained ‘‘pretty much every day''.
‘‘I let them off and give them a bit of work and a bit of training,'' he said.
‘‘And I keep a few young pups coming on for your chances further down the track.''
He had been involved in the sport since he was 20 and had taken it ‘‘really seriously'' for the past 12 years or so, he said.
‘‘The challenge and the competition is the big thing [for me],'' he said.
‘‘There's a whole lot of work in training and getting the dog from a pup up to the level where you are able to run it.
‘‘The other good thing about going is catching up with people and having a lot of fun.
‘‘It's a pretty good aftermatch in the bar too.''
This year he was not only competing in the event, but would be a deputy marshall during the week.
‘‘It's quite a bit of work,'' he said.
‘‘There's quite a lot to do and all the clubs in the [North Otago] centre pitch in to make it work.''
