Rangely 4-H livestock judging team places 8th in Ariz. Nationals

RANGELY | Over the Christmas break, the Rangely 4-H judging team fine-tuned their livestock judging skills.
Cheyenne Steele-Mackay and Evan Urie had only been judging for about a month, but jumped into the mix, and with Kaylee Mecham (two-year member) and Layne Mecham (four-year member) finely got their names called at Arizona Nationals in Phoenix on Dec. 31. They were eighth overall as a team and Layne Mecham was 16th high individual and talked both his classes of livestock in the 40s. Landon Mecham, the only senior – this was his first official contest – did a great job and talked some decent scores, too.
The chaperones, Bonnie and Barbara Long, basked in the sun and read books, while Bill Ekstrom was volunteered to be a group leader. After the team, the group went to the amusement park and returned later to the New Year’s dance at the stock show facility for some more fun.
Samantha Lapp was greatly missed from the Phoenix activities as she was surprised with a Disneyland trip for Christmas, but joined the team in Denver at the stock show on Jan. 15-16 to work out in the stockyards and do team-building activities.
The kids practiced on cattle on Jan. 15 until late that evening, then went to Casa Bonita to take their annual “Outlaw” picture. On Jan. 16, they presented Colyer Cattle Company of Bruneau, Idaho, with a picture to thank them for being a sponsor of the judging team.
They played “snapshot” the rest of the day and mock judged at the hereford show. Then relaxed at the Wild West Show.
Later the kids were interviewed by radio station KCFR about “What is a cowboy?” Their answers were quick, concise and right on the money.
The kids greatly enjoyed eating breakfast with the cowboy poets each morning and the poets even remembered the team from the previous year.
Now it’s on to more practice sessions as the kids prepare for the Cattlemen’s Classic on Feb. 20 in Kearney, Neb., and the Casper (Wyo.) College contest on March 27. They are going to gain some new knowledge from various people in the community regarding: meat cuts, EPDs and intense oral reasons within the next month.
Thanks to EnCana, Mechams and Colyers for being our sponsors. Your support is greatly appreciated.