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Australian Dog Lover
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The prestigious Wayleggo Cup has returned to Australia following a dominant performance by the Australian team at the 2025 Trans-Tasman Sheepdog Test in New Zealand. While the national victory is cause for celebration, it’s the contribution of NSW handler Jess Kimpton and her champion Border Collie, Newcomen Stitch, that has cemented the win in the history books.
Jess Kimpton has made history as the first woman ever to be part of a winning Australian team to claim the coveted Wayleggo Cup.
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| 2025 Australian Sheepdog team - credit Hypro Group |
The international event, held across October 31 and November 1, saw Team Australia defeat the host nation by a landslide margin, racking up a total of 688.25 points compared to New Zealand’s 626.75. Kimpton, 32, from East Kurrajong, NSW, delivered strong individual scores, helping the team secure the title.
“I’m over the moon. It is an incredible feeling to have achieved this,” Jess said following the victory.
“There’s always a strong rivalry with New Zealand, but it’s built on good sportsmanship. Being out there to win for our country has been an honour.”
Breaking Barriers and Guiding Instinct
This achievement is the pinnacle of a long journey that saw Jess earn her spot on the national team through standout results in state and interstate challenges, including leading the NSW team to second place at the Ted Gaby Interstate Challenge.
Jess’s success is built on a unique philosophy of partnership with her dog, Stitch.
“Stitch is more than a ‘trial dog’; she’s my partner. When we’re in sync it’s magic. It’s a true partnership – almost like we can read each other’s minds,” she explains.
Read Her Full Journey: From Training Chickens to the Podium
For a detailed look at Jess Kimpton’s path to the Australian team, her remarkable background training animals for film and television (including The Fall Guy and Rams), and how she balances world-class competition with motherhood, read our original feature story, "Paddock to Podium: A Dog Story."
Today, Jess balances life on her Hawkesbury Valley acreage—juggling sheepdog trialling, training her six Border Collies, and raising her young daughter Evie. “I proved myself wrong; you can be a mum and keep chasing your dreams,” she affirmed.
To discover more about working sheepdogs and trials in your state, visit the Australian Sheep Dog Workers’ Association on https://asdwa.org.au.
To discover more about working sheepdogs and trials in your state, visit the Australian Sheep Dog Workers’ Association on https://asdwa.org.au.
Photo Credits - Lead image: Wayleggo Cup - Credit Kate Knox; Jess Kimpton & Stitch - Credit Quickstep Border Collies
