Special to the HT
MEEKER | This past weekend, Rio Blanco County 4-H members traveled to Kiowa to compete in the Elbert County Livestock Judging Contest on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
At the contest, 67 juniors formed 18 teams.
Rio Blanco County was represented by one junior team and one individual who joined others to compete as a combined team. The junior team included Arabella Black, Ally Black, Paisley Potter and Milo Brennan. Klayton Carroll competed as an individual with participants from the Arkansas Valley.
Contestants were scored in several divisions: cattle, sheep and goat, swine, reasons and overall. The contest featured 12 classes and three sets of reasons for juniors. Individuals are typically recognized for placing in the top 10, while teams are recognized for placing in the top five.
Individually, Ally Black placed 18th in cattle, 45th in swine, sixth in sheep and goat, 18th in reasons and 21st overall. Paisley Potter placed 10th in cattle, ninth in swine, first in sheep and goat, second in reasons and second overall, earning another All-State point. Arabella Black placed 45th in cattle, 54th in swine, 34th in sheep and goat, 57th in reasons and 50th overall. Milo Brennan placed 49th in cattle, 41st in swine, 25th in sheep and goat, 49th in reasons and 44th overall.
As a team, Rio Blanco County placed eighth in cattle, 11th in swine, second in sheep and goat, fifth in reasons and fifth overall.
Individually, Klayton Carroll placed 57th in cattle, 22nd in swine, 30th in sheep and goat, 38th in reasons and 43rd overall. His combined team placed ninth in cattle, second in swine, 13th in sheep and goat, fifth in reasons and 43rd overall, while his overall combined team placed 11th in cattle, sixth in swine, 10th in sheep and goat, 12th in reasons and eighth overall.
Pictured, back row, from left: Milo Brennan and Klayton Carroll. Front row, from left: Arabella Black, Ally Black and Paisley Potter.