BOWMAN (AP) - Joni Swanke is part of the growing number of sheep dog trial competitors from around the country, and she is bringing regional competition here.

"I've been doing this seriously for the past 10 years," said Swanke, of Marmarth. "Before I got into the trials, I used the dogs on a ranch with a lot of cattle and sheep. It's gotten to be a huge sport and I train a lot of outside dogs."

Swanke also judges trials, gives training lessons and breeds dogs for others.

Swanke is moving her regional sheep dog competition from Marmarth to Bowman this year to host the first Bowman Classic Sheep Dog Trial event, starting Tuesday.

The first two days feature open-level top dogs and the last day is dedicated to nursery classes for young dogs.

Swanke said people from all over the world have come to other trials in North Dakota.

"At this trial, there will be some of the best dogs in the nation, from Canada and all over," she said. "Some of the point leaders in the nation are coming. It's been a big trial at our ranch south of Marmarth for years. And now moving it here, we are hoping to get more people able to come out and watch."

People from places like Florida or Virginia who don't have sheep in open fields send their dogs to North Dakota to get trained, she said.

"People come out here because we have western sheep and open space," Swanke said. "It's not so populated and they like coming out this way."

Sheep dog trials have numbered regions across the United States.

"This one, one other and then the trials in Buffalo and Douglas, Wyo., are four qualifying rounds for the national finals," Swanke said. "Although I travel quite a bit for trials, many people can't go to as many of these and gather points to qualify."

There are about 70 dogs in each class. The course is designed on a point system for the dogs to do the regular tasks of herding sheep. The object, Swanke said, is to get more points. Elements such as the fresh sheep used or a tough course are influencing factors.

"If you run well, you'll win prize money, which will cover most of your expenses, but when starting out you better just enjoy the sport, which a lot of people do. It's very addictive," she said. "If you don't do well, you just go home and know what you got to do better - it hooks you that way."

Swanke has Lou, a 5-year-old border collie, who has been in the top 10 at the national trials and is one of the top dogs in the country. He also happens to love the camera.

"He likes to pose," Swanke said. "These kinds of dogs have a huge expression and are fun to photograph. I take a lot of pictures at trials. Used to be when I worked on the ranch, we'd work all day long and if a dog doesn't have a lot of heart they don't hold up."

Swanke has seven dogs. One just had six puppies - all sold at only 4 weeks old. She has two older dogs, one young dog in training for someone else and four in training for next year.