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Steamboat Springs — Sheep-herding trials aren't what you'd typically see in Los Angeles, said Holly Wilde, who moved to Steamboat Springs a year and a half ago.

Wilde was one of the many new and returning spectators who turned out Saturday through Monday for the sixth annual Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge, held at the Stanko Ranch off Twentymile Road.

"Curiosity was the reason I came out," said Wilde, who attended Monday's event with a couple of friends, both of whom previously had been to the Stock Dog Challenge. "I'd never seen sheep-herding trials before. : It's interesting to see a new microcosm of culture."

About 45 handlers and their 65 dogs competed in events to retrieve, drive and separate sheep, while judges observed the dogs' quietness and efficiency.

The dogs were separated into two divisions, ranch and open ranch. Open ranch is an intermediate division. The three-day event permitted competitors to compete in two trials per division, with each trial taking about a day and a half. New this year was a junior division, which was added to allow handlers' puppies a chance to participate, event organizer Marianne Sasak said.

"These people travel with all these dogs anyway," Sasak said. "It's nice to get them out there with their pups."

Wilde's friend Garrett Branson said the event was suggested to him by another friend three years ago when he moved to Steamboat.

"It's a nice view, a pleasant place to sit, " he said about the spectator area that overlooks the field where the dogs herded sheep. "And it's not something you see every day."

The handlers, who came from across the state and country, said the event was a warmup for the famous dog trial event next week in Meeker.

"It's really a nice trial," said Emil Luedecke, of Zephr, Texas, whose dog Spot won the first open trial. Luedecke's dog Lad placed third in the first open ranch trial and second in the second open ranch trial. "It's on my way to Meeker. If it wasn't a good trial - I don't care if it was before Meeker - I wouldn't come."

Allen Mills, of Goldthwaite, Texas, participated in his first Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge and took second place in the first open trial. Mills said he "enjoyed it immensely."

"It's just a good, fun, well-organized trial," he said. "And I plan to be back."

Sasak said the weekend was "absolutely fantastic" and "could not have worked out better." She estimated more than 1,000 people attended Saturday and Sunday. About 400 were on hand Monday.

"I've heard from people it's the best trial because of the presentation," she said.

Anita Keimel cut short a weekend camping trip to bring her son, 6-year-old Liano Conejo, to the event. Liano asked her to take him after reading a book about herding dogs.

"We didn't know what to expect, but it's really fun," Keimel said. ": It's amazing when they get the sheep in the pen."