Pesto, Lamb and Legends: Sheep Dogs Show off the Best of Moyston

Ararat Rural City Council is calling on dog lovers, farming families, and visitors from near and far to mark their calendars for the 2026 Moyston Annual Sheep Dog Trials, returning to the Moyston Recreation Reserve from Thursday 12 March to Saturday 14 March.

For the 2026 event, organisers are pleased to announce that Pesto and handler Jack Kennedy - featured on the ABC TV series 3 Muster Dogs - will be Special Guests as part of Friday evening community meal. Come and hear about their experiences and have a unique opportunity to observe their working partnership firsthand and recognise their contributions to raising awareness of Australian working dogs.

Now in its 98th year, the Moyston Annual Sheep Dog Trials are recognised as Australia’s longest-running sheep dog trials, cementing the small township’s place on the national working dog calendar and drawing competitors from across the country. 

Spectators can watch some of Australia’s best sheep dogs and handlers in action across three days of competition, with Novice Trials from 9 am on Thursday 12 March, and Improver and Open classes from 8am on Friday 13 March and Saturday 14 March. Presentations on Saturday will be around 3pm. 

The trials will again be held at the picturesque Moyston Oval on Ararat–Halls Gap Road, just 15 minutes from Ararat.

The Moyston community will offer classic country hospitality across the event, including a two-course dinner on Friday evening, lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and a licensed bar on site. Gold coin entry will apply for spectators, making it an affordable day out for families, dog enthusiasts, and visitors exploring the Grampians region.