◆ Championship runs June 19-24.
Afton and Star Valley are known as a lot of different things to a lot of people. In the world of stock dogs and their handlers, it is the goal. A location to aspire toward. The final destination at the end of the road to success. The best and brightest will once again come to town to test their mettle against each other June 19-24 to see who is at the top of their profession.
“This is the seventh year that we’ve been in Afton and this will be the biggest one we’ve ever had,” said Steve Wight, President and Chairman of the Board of the Mountain States Stockdog Association (MSSA). “We are the largest in the world. We’ll have over 1,000 runs this next week. We are the only ones doing sheep and cattle that I know of. The crew that it takes to put this on is incredible.”
The MSSA Finals begins on Monday at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Wight credits the growth of the sport to a couple of elements.
“I think we help the beginners of the sport move up and they can be part of something and work their way up to the top,” he stated.
“Two, it would really have to be the camaraderie. This is a family event with classy people and they have to qualify to come to Afton. It’s the most prestigious award you can win in the stockdog world. Everybody wants to come to Afton. The handlers have [fallen] in love with this place, it’s a destination. There was a wedding last year because they wanted to get married here.
They schedule their winter and summer trips after they’ve been here because they like it here so much.”
For Sheri Wight, Steve’s wife and fellow organizer of the event, it’s a family affair.
“My kids have literally grown up at dog trials since the time they were babies,” she replied. “The handlers have watched my kids grow up and they compete now. My boys started competing when they were nine years old. The kids have a big part of it and the adults want them to succeed. It’s a fun way to grow up and a fun thing to be a part of.”
Sheri said she selfishly designated the Saturday of the event to be a family day because she needed a break.
“I started it as kind of for my kids benefit but it’s grown since then,” she laughed. “There will be bounce houses and face painting. It will coincide with the Freedom Festival so it will be fun to do both.”
Kent Herbel is a former national champion handler. He’s now a judge for the MSSA Finals.
“I’ve been in stock dogs for over 30 years now,” he said during an interview with SVI News this week. “My wife and I teach clinics. I got started coming to trials up here and Steve does a super job with his stock and his courses. They are just first-class events all the way around.”
Herbel feels one of the reasons the handlers and dogs at the finals are so amazing is a bit more than just practice.
“The competition level is great,” he answered. “What you run into are a lot of ranchers. People who use their dogs as a lifestyle not just a hobby.”
Lori Herbel has been there to chronicle the sport with her camera as the official photographer of the MSSA.
“I live to take pictures,” she stated. “It’s like breathing for me. If I don’t have a camera with me I’m looking for one. The amount of pictures I take now I’m close to 20,000 images but I just love it. Back when I started in 1990 we had to mail off the film and wait for them.”
• Wednesday Night Auction
“We’ve been doing a 4H benefit auction for many years,” Wight said. “We’ve turned it into a dinner for the handlers and at the end of the dinner we have a big auction and that goes into a fund to help the kids and they can apply for a scholarship.”
Leftover money is used for more specific needs at the local level. For example, last year the hog barn got more fans added so there was more air for the animals at the fairgrounds.
The sport continues to grow and Wight credits Afton for growing with them.
“This community has been behind us since the beginning,” he concluded. “It’s grown so fast that we thought at one time we might have to leave because of facilities but the people here have adjusted and expanded their fairground to keep us here and now I don’t see us ever leaving.”
Area residents and visitors are invited to attend the MSSA Finals at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds starting on Monday morning at 8 am. Events typically wrap up by 2-3 o’ clock daily. There is no cost to attend any or all of the event.
SVI Media will be streaming the entirety of the week at svinews.com with cameras in all four different competition areas. For more information and details, go to mountainstatesstockdogs.com.
Independent Notes: My Legislative colleagues grow weary of me bragging about Star Valley -- especially the schools!
October 24, 2026
During the countless opportunities I have to speak at the Legislature I rarely hesitate to brag about the home country, Star Valley and Lincoln County. In fact, I think my colleagues grow weary of it, as multiple times I point... Read More
Coming Home: Braves earn home field advantage in 41-8 win over the Broncs
October 24, 2026
In the 2026 edition of the Fall Brawl, the Star Valley Braves rolled to a 41-8 victory in Jackson which earned them home field advantage in the playoffs which starts next weekend. The match up was billed as #1 versus... Read More
Cowboys Push Win Streak to Three with 28-14 Victory over Air Force
October 24, 2026
The moment was there for the University of Wyoming football team Friday night at War Memorial Stadium. It was one set under the lights, donning special Cowboys and Coal uniforms and against an Air Force team they were tied with... Read More
Star Valley Independent Letters to the Editor: October 21, 2026
October 24, 2026
The following Letters to the Editor appeared in the October 21, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. Proposition 1 Dear Editor, If Proposition 1 passes, everyone who goes to work to put a roof over their family’s heads gets... Read More
(Video) - Bear Lake Football versus Snake River
October 23, 2026
It’s a Friday night showdown in Montpelier as the Bear Lake Bears (4–4) welcome the Snake River Panthers (0–8) for their regular-season finale in the 4A South East Idaho Conference! Bear Lake returns home looking to finish the regular season... Read More
(Video) - Hillcrest Knights at Blackfoot Broncos
October 23, 2026
Hillcrest enters the regular-season finale with a perfect record after putting together one of the most impressive campaigns in eastern Idaho. The Knights are coming off a dominant 48–6 victory over Skyline and have also earned impressive wins over Thunder Ridge, Bonneville, Shelley... Read More
How To Balance Safety & Efficiency in Natural Gas Operations
October 23, 2026
Learn how natural gas operators can improve workplace safety, prevent equipment failures, reduce downtime, and maintain efficient, reliable production. Read More
(Video) - Star Valley Football at Jackson for the 2026 Fall Brawl
October 23, 2026
The top seed in the playoff is on the line as the Star Valley Braves (7-1)(4-0) make the short trip to Jackson to face the Broncs (7-1)(3-1). The Braves can wrap up home field advantage in the playoffs which start... Read More
Five Lincoln County teens receive scholarships from Star Valley Health
October 23, 2026
Provided by Star Valley Health Star Valley Health has awarded scholarships to several local students through the hospital’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Founded by the Star Valley Health Charitable Foundation (SVHCF), the program supports children and dependents of active Star... Read More
Wyoming county commissioners oppose Roadless Rule
October 23, 2026
By Christina MacIntosh Jackson Hole News&Guide Via- Wyoming News Exchange JACKSON — The Wyoming County Commissioners Association has supported the U.S. Forest Service’s push to repeal the Roadless Rule. The association’s board, which includes a representative commissioner from... Read More
Three years after gas drillers caused a stir leasing a ‘Path of the Pronghorn’ bottleneck, it’s been protected
October 23, 2026
• A combination of a conservation easement and migration route designation safeguard a critical New Fork River crossing for generations to come. By Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile.com When an oil and gas company bid $19 per acre to... Read More
(Video) - Jackson Football hosts Star Valley (Jackson Broadcast)
October 23, 2026
The #3 Jackson Broncs will be looking to protect their home field as they host their rivals from the south, the #1 Star Valley Braves. Kickoff is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Video is here as well as on... Read More
Uinta County coroner charged with 5 felonies
October 23, 2026
By Amanda Manchester Uinta County Herald Via- Wyoming News Exchange EVANSTON — Uinta County Coroner Greg Crandall has been arrested and charged with 11 counts — five felonies and six misdemeanors — of misconduct related to his official duties.... Read More
Team strengths highlight the matchup between the Braves and Broncs
October 23, 2026
When the Star Valley Braves kickoff against the Jackson Broncs in Teton County on Friday night, they will be trying to wrap up the 3A West top seed. A loss could actually send the Braves down the rungs of the... Read More
Sports Friday Interview: Coach Marty Linford - Cokeville Football
October 23, 2026
https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/10-23-Marty-Linford.mp3 Read More
Sports Friday Interview: Ross, Krew, Kemin & McKay - SVHS Football
October 23, 2026
Star Valley Seniors Ross Hilton, Krew Morgan and Kemin Filibi, along with head coach McKay Young all stepped into the SVI Radio studio for First Bank of Wyoming Sports Friday to discuss the season up to this point and tonight’s... Read More
Star Valley Sports Night: October 23, 2026
October 23, 2026
This year’s “Fall Brawl” of Star Valley @ Jackson Hole has Home Field Advantage in the playoffs on the line — and in this week’s episode, we look at how both the Braves and the Broncs hope to gain an... Read More
Annual 4-H Carnival happening Monday
October 23, 2026
Lincoln County 4-H members in Star Valley are hosting their annual Halloween Carnival fundraiser on Monday, October 26 from 5-8 p.m. in the South Exhibit Hall of the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. All community members are welcome and encouraged to support... Read More
(Video) - Lady Braves Volleyball at Jackson
October 22, 2026
It’s rivalry night in Jackson as the Star Valley Lady Braves travel to take on the Jackson Lady Broncs in an important Wyoming 4A Southwest Conference showdown! With the regular season winding down and the postseason just around the corner,... Read More
SVI Radio Interview: Chad Baldwin - University of Wyoming
October 22, 2026
https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/10-22-Chad-Baldwin.mp3 Read More