Last week, I had the pleasure of heading to the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo.
Each year, this hard-working “steel” city impresses me. It looks rough on the outside; however, this blue-collar town always impresses me with its cultural diversity and unique neighborhoods.
There has been some recent discussion about moving the state fair’s location. In my opinion, this would be a mistake, and, if you agree, please let our local state representatives know.
The purpose of my trip each year is to pick up 4-H projects that were exhibited at the fairgrounds. I am pleased to announce that La Plata County 4-H had great representation. 4-H members exhibited projects, participated in contests and showed animals. Congratulations to all members and especially the dedicated parents and volunteers who traveled to Pueblo to allow our young people to compete.
Jordan Baker of the Westside Wranglers 4-H Club received a Grand Champion placing for her Senior Leather Crafting project. Her placing will allow her to attend the 4-H National Leadership Congress in Atlanta this fall. Her sister, Faith Baker, also received a Grand Champion ribbon for her Intermediate Fondant Cake project.
Bethany Quimby of the Mountaineers 4-H Club won Grand Champion in the Cake Decorating contest. She competed against 39 other participants for this award. She had never competed in a contest this big and is overjoyed with her accomplishment.
Our Shooting Sports program continues to shine at the state contests. In the junior .22 Hunt Class, Clay Sandburg received Reserve Champion and Guy Wright earned a seventh-place finish. Our muzzle-loading teams had great placing scores. The junior team of Clay Sandburg, Randy and Ryan Leach and Ty Barns received the Reserve Champions award. Our senior muzzle-loading team of Cole and Josh Crawford, Tyrell Thorsheim and Krystalyn Anderson earned third place.
Individually, Cole Crawford performed so well, he will represent the state 4-H Shooting Sports muzzle-loading team at the national competition in Nebraska next year.
At the livestock shows, 4-H members had a great year. Ignacio Westerners 4-H Club members Taylor and Kori Jenkins competed in swine shows. Taylor got a seventh-place showmanship placing. Her sister, Kori, was a class winner with her Duroc market swine, which made sale, and she was third in junior Swine Showmanship.
Mount Allison Go-Getter member Keanna Smith was in the 4-H and open-class Breeding Beef shows. In 4-H, she was third overall in the Simmental Solution Heifer class. In open class, she was Grand Champion for her Simmental Solution Bull. Also, Cabree Mullins, Kaniesha Valley, Krystalyn Anderson and Stephenie Riegel showed in the Beef, Lamb and Goat classes. Everyone did well and learned a lot.
Finally, a big congratulation goes to Bayfield Riders member Tia Holden. Tia worked very hard this year on her horse-riding skills. She won the State Intermediate English Horse Champion award. She was on her horse, “Flying V Shyla.” This is a great accomplishment for Tia.
Greg Felsen is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach him at felsengh@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463.
