An interest in dogs and work as a shepherd led the farmer to his first dog trial championship in 1982.
The challenge, travel and most importantly, camaraderie brought him back ever since.
He and his four dogs have been competing in the South Island and New Zealand sheep dog trial finals, in Gore, over the past week.
The competition attracted 260 competitors, with about 500 dogs. More than 900 runs will take place by the time it finishes this weekend.
It started on Monday with the South Island finals, after which the top seven in each of the four events - long head and short head yard for heading dogs, and zig-zag and straight hunt for the huntaway dogs - will battle it out for New Zealand titles today and tomorrow.
After 27 years in the game, Mr Smith had a few tips for the young guns, and has written a book about trialling, Pup Pen to Paddock, following a suggestion by the host of A Dog's Show, John Gordon.
The book was released five years ago and was proving popular in New Zealand and overseas.
Dog trialling was "like lots of other things in life" and came down to "discipline and respect", he said.
"You and the dog have got to get on the same wavelength."
He preferred to wean pups, to ensure a bond was formed early, and prevent the forming of bad habits.
Training started between 6 and 10 months old and intensified as the dog's confidence grew.
The connection with his dogs enabled him to become one of the top sheep dog trainers and triallists in the country and also, more recently, branch into judging.
