Loxton's Lee Mickan has won back-to-back titles in the SA Yard Dog Association state championships at the Clare Showgrounds on the weekend.
In 2018 it was with his Border Collie Waramara Joker that he finished top of the leader board with but this time it was another trusty companion, three-year-old black and tan kelpie, Hogan's Toby.
It was Mr Mickan's fourth state title in seven years.
"I was hoping that I would do well but I didn't expect to win it," he said.
Two years ago, Mr Mickan who works at Westbrook Ag's sheep feedlot bought Toby from Colin Hogan from Coonamble, NSW, as a started dog.
Toby has gone ahead in leaps and bounds with several open wins and finishing runner-up in the South East Championship at Lucindale last month.
"He has pretty good all round ability, has a willingness to work with the leader and always tries his best for you," he said.
In the first round of the championship the duo posted a score of 87 points put of a possible 100 and in the second round improved by half a point for a combined total of 174.5 points.
'He (Toby) was consistent all weekend on some fairly tough sheep," he said.
Mr Mickan will compete in the national championship at West Wyalong, NSW in October with Joker who had to settle for third in the SA title this year.
Toby has earned a berth for the 2020 national final.
Runner-up was Travis Ware, Lucindale and his dog Woodja Lace.
