RBC I Thanks to the generous support of Encana and Shane and Kathy Mecham, nine members of the Rio Blanco County 4-H judging team traveled to Phoenix to attend the Arizona National Livestock Show (ANLS) judging contest.
The team included senior members Sam Baylie and Landon and Layne Mecham. The junior team was made up of Macy Collins, A.J. Garner, Kaylee Mecham and Raelyn Norman. Del Garner and Tristen Hall judged as junior individuals. They were coached by Bonnie Long. The group arrived late Friday, Dec. 29. They spent the day looking at animals, watching the breeding sheep show and working out with the college teams. They gave several sets of reasons to coach Long and sponsors Roxie Leischer and Kathy Collins.
The group judged eight classes of sheep, cattle and hogs on Saturday under the palm trees in 70 degree weather. Only the top 10 individuals and teams were announced. Macy Collins earned ninth high individual and the junior team placed third, bringing home the county’s first ANLS plaque. That evening the team celebrated New Year’s Eve at Castles and Coasters and entertained the adults with some creative singing skills.
This is just the beginning of a busy judging season for the group. They will be represented in Nashville at the NBCA the first week of February and will hit the Colorado circuit shortly after that. We expect lots of fun and success this season.
