RBC | The Rio Blanco County 4-H Livestock Judging teams competed at the 37th annual Adams County Judging Extravaganza in Brighton, the Otero/Lincoln County Judging Contest in Rocky Ford and just got out of the truck after marking cards at the Weld County Judging Contest held at Island Grove Park in Greeley. Island Grove Park is very close to the Nathan Meeker “mansion” which has been turned into a museum and kept in excellent shape—but the team didn’t stop. “We know the end of that story,” coach Clint Shults said.
At ADCO the senior team of Macy Collins, Jilly Bumguardner, Marryn Shults and Tatumn Kennedy finished third overall. Nineteen senior 4-H teams from Colorado and Wyoming competed.
Collins was the champion beef judge, 12th in sheep/goats, 11th in swine, third in placings, sixth in reasons and third overall individual. Shults tied for 10th in sheep/goats.
The junior team—Hayden Shults, Brooke and Emily Archuleta and Matthew Willey—were 10th overall in the team placings. This rookie-heavy team competed against 27 other teams. Weld County entered six full teams, Douglas County brought four teams and Routt had three full teams.
Willey picked up his first ribbon, placing ninth in beef. Hayden Shults was third overall in sheep and Archuleta picked up her first ribbon placing fifth in the sheep/goat division. Hayden cracked the top 20 in reasons out of 140 judges for the first time in his career as well.
On April 6 they beat the snowstorm and made it to Rocky Ford. Hayden and Willey had to run as individuals on the junior side and Marryn and Collins combined with two seniors from Lincoln County. The Otero/ Lincoln County committee put together outstanding beef classes at this show with top shelf officials.
Willey got his name called for the second contest in a row. Once again he was ninth in beef.
“He has a natural eye for livestock evaluation and he’s picking up the skills quickly. But he and Hayden still need to get in the habit of three sets of reasons per day and they will eventually put it all together,” said Shults.
Marryn finished sixth and Collins was 12th in beef. Collins was reserve champion and Marryn earned seventh in oral reasons. Marryn finished 16th and Collins was 20th overall.
“The sheep/goat classes ate us alive at this contest and we are still scratching our heads over those official placings. But, oh well, live and learn, dust yourself off and get down the road to the next one,” said Shults.
The team beat the Friday the 13th snow and made it to Greeley. Hayden and Willey had to run as junior individuals again and Hayden placed ninth in beef. Hayden talked a smooth set of performance Simm/Angus bulls.
Kennedy was third and Collins was fifth in sheep/goats. Collins won beef and Marryn tied for 10th. Collins was fourth and Marryn placed eighth in reasons. Collins was the reserve champion overall and Kennedy finished in the top 20 at 18th overall. The three-girl team finished fifth overall at Weld County. During the last 10 years Weld County has made a point to put together a contest that most closely resembles the types of livestock classes and officials that they will face at the state contest in June.
There are contests left in the season and RBC is planning to get to at least four more before state.
“The team members are selling fertilizer again this season and will deliver to your door. And we thank you for your generous support,” Shults said.
