Meeker Sheepdog Trials

                            
This is a really fun thing we've attended five times.  It is held the weekend just after Labor Day in September - good online site at  http://www.meekersheepdog.com/. 

We're not sheepdog people, but we're doggy people and this is an great place to travel to and a fun event at which to spend a relaxed day just sitting around watching the competion and the half-time entertainment is just that.

Getting there is half the fun - great place to ride - up through Berthoud and Rabbit Ears Passes, through the very touristy Steamboat Springs, to Craig and then down to Meeker.  We usually stay in Rifle or Craig overnight and spend Saturday and Sunday watching the semifinals and finals.  This is bit of a street fair atmosphere - lots of vendors set up next to the trial area and anything related to a sheep is on sale (sheep-ka-bobs, for example).  Plan on staying until the finish Sunday about 4:30 - the dogs seem to get better and better as the day goes on.  One of the special things about this International trial (Border Collies are there from the UK, Africa, New Zealand) is the sheep are absolutely wild at the start of the trials - they've been up on the plateau all summer and have just been brought down for the trial and shearing.  They don't really want to be herded, and the dogs have their paws full trying to get them to go through the gates, into pens, and being separated from each other based on whistle commands from the handlers.  Bring your own folding chairs, sunscreen and rain gear - anything goes at this event!

In the evening there are more events in the town of Meeker and there is a pancake breakfast in the morning.

Coming back is as much fun as getting there.  We like to make a bit of a swing back through Rifle and do Independence Pass on the way back.

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