Held from September 22 to 24, the championships drew entries from throughout NSW and Victoria in the maiden, novice, improver and open events.
In a tight eight-dog final, Mr Woolford, of Galong, and his four-year-old black and tan kelpie Ringers Mac took out the championship on 192 points.
A livestock manager, Mr Woolford set himself the goal to win the open championship at first attempt.
Mac won the 2026 Australian Yard Dog Championships in South Australia and the NSW Yard Dog Championships.
Mr Woolford bought Mac as a 12-week-old pup.
He is the first dog Mr Woolford has trained.
He uses Mac as his main working dog on 19,000 sheep and 1500 cattle on Bobbara Station.
“He has been going really well,” Mr Woolford said.
“He is just so calm outside, he doesn’t upset his stock and puts just enough pressure in there.
“He will muster in the rough country and then on the flat on his own.
“He’s got a bit of power behind him when you need it.”
Mr Woolford said winning the trophy was a huge honour.
“My pop owned 20 acres when I was a kid, he had a working dog, not very good — but I loved it anyway,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to do it so got into the sport six years ago and haven’t looked back.”
Mr Woolford has a team of six working dogs and several seven-month-old pups.
“I don’t work a day in my life I reckon — that’s how much I love it,” he said.
Barrick Parker and Bell won the maiden, Marcus Campbell and Donny the novice, and Matt Adams and River the improver.
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