Canowindra has hosted more than 200 top dogs and their handlers from far and wide at the Canowindra Yard Dog Trial Championships.

Woodstock's Michael Johnston took out the open competition, with 215 dogs in four classes over the two days on Saturday and Sunday, 19 and 20 July.

These yard dog trials also served as a NSW State Championship trial this year.

Event organiser Josh Messina said it was a fantastic weekend with beautiful weather and great support from the community.

"The trialing is just simulating real work stuff they do every day," he said.

The main difference, Mr Messina said, is that in trialing the competitors have to stay in one spot and the dog has to do all of the work.

Mr Messina said it is a good indication to see how well a dog works when they can't help them as much as they usually would on a farm.

Judging the open class was Kevin Howell, Peter Armstrong judging the maiden class, Nick Foster judging the novice section and Greg Walton judging the encourage section.

Mr Messina said he has always strived to get some of the best judges to come down to judge the Canowindra Yard Dog trials, with this year having two championship judges and two Australian judges.

He said it is always good when you win something when a high quality judge is judging the competition.

This year, the sheep were supplied by Canowindra's Graham Smyth, with Tony Warn transporting them to and from the showgrounds.

"We're very grateful for the community getting behind it and helping us out and making the event possible," Mr Messina said.

Mr Messina said the yard dog trials are done for the year in Canowindra, though competitions are still ongoing for some of the yard dogs and their handlers, with the National Championships fast approaching.

Mr Messina said Canowindra was a pretty good indicator for a lot of competitors heading to contest the National Championships to see how they and their dogs are tracking.