It was founded in 1979 and has grown into an organization of more than 500 members. Members who qualify at sanctioned Open trials during the year are eligible to compete in the USBCHA National Finals to determine the champion Open dog and handler for that year. The trials sanctioned by the USBCHA follow the pattern of the trials of Great Britain's International Sheep Dog Society, the original registry for Border Collies.

• The Australian Shepherd Club of American Trials Program The purpose of the ASCA Stockdog Program is to preserve and promote the instinct of the Australian Shepherd to be a versatile stockdog, showcasing the natural working ability of the breed through the use of certification programs for challenging trialing disciplines on several classes of stock.

Divisions in ASCA sanctioned trials are offered for three levels of training on three classes of stock. The started division gives the dog and handler a place to begin and gain experience. Dogs must progress from started through open and then on to advanced on three classes of stock (cattle, sheep and ducks), earning two legs under two different judges at each level and on each class of stock, to earn a working trial championship.