Organising committee chairman Mike Joyce, of Wendon Valley, said about 167 trialists from across the South Island competed over three days at the Southern Field Days site at Waimumu, near Gore, which ended on Monday last week.
Two points separated the top eight triallists.
"It was pretty close and the run-off was very good."
The hoggets, which were provided by Stan Macgibbon of Burnley Farms, performed well.
"Which makes it more enjoyable."
The open section was won by Robin McKenzie and his dog Dice.
Mark McKenzie won the novice contest with his dog Tess.
The teams section was won by Warepa Collie Club members, The Pratley Heroes, he said.
The maiden section was won by Jan Tairua and her dog Jock.
A bark-up competition on Sunday, where 20 dogs were made to bark on command, was won by Jamie Milne and his dog Syd. Country singer Suzanne Prentice entertained the crowd at lunchtime on the last two days.
"It lightened the load a little bit."
The money the annual fundraiser raised for Hospice Southland was still being calculated last week but he was confident it would be more than the $12,000 given last year, he said.
"It’ll be considerably better than that."
The event would return next year.
"Oh hell yeah, we’ve got a pretty good crew going now."
