One hundred and six years after its inaugural run, the Colorado National Stock Show is still running strong with new people, invigorating events, and livestock. Every year thousands of people travel to the National Western Complex in Denver to see all of the new or historical attractions Colorado has to offer. This year more than 30,000 people experienced the stock show sensation inlcluding several students from Eaton.
Mitchell Kammerer (13), said “I have been going to National Western for about five years.” Mitch said he “likes all aspects of this country event, especially the rodeo”. This particular stock show has multiple segments to the rodeo including bull riding and team roping.
Members of Eaton High School have a long held tradition at the National Western Stock Show including Taylor Dorsey (15) who also shows at the National Western Stock Show. Taylor, who has been attending the stock show since she could walk, has had some of her fondest memories at the National western. Showmanship runs in the Dorsey family blood with this year being Taylor’s seventh year showing livestock. Taylor said her favorite memory from the stock show was “winning the Reservoir Prospect Heifer” which she claimed “I didn’t even realize [she had won] until people went up to congratulate me.” With years of hard work paying off, winning the Reservoir Prospect Heifer was well deserved. Taylor loves all parts of the National Western and claims going is “One of my favorite things to do because of the new things, the chances to meet new people, and all of the life changing experiences to be had”. On top of winning awards for showing her livestock, Taylor has received many cash prizes which add up to more then $3000. For being a freshman in high school this is quite an accomplishment.
One of the people most influential in getting Taylor started in showing livestock is her grandpa, Bob Dorsey. Dorsey is an Eaton High School substitute and volunteer, who has passed on that long tradition to his own family and has been going to the stock show and showing livestock since he was very young. Dorsey said “One of my favorite years was 1952 when I won two events for showmanship.” Dorsey took first place in showing both Shorthorn steer and Angus steer. Of all of the years at National Western, Dorsey said his favorite part was “when you could win.” In 1952 Dorsey accomplished a feat which only one person accomplishes every year: He received the grand champion in livestock showmanship.
Along with Taylor, many kids at Eaton High School attend the National Western each year including Colton Lind (14), Aimee Ledall (13), and many more. Colton Lind who has been attending for 10 years said that he was very proud of “Winning when we were little kids for steer cross breads”.Colton loves the aroma of going out and competing at the National Western which he goes to almost every year. Aimee Ledall, who has been going for five years remembered in great depth “Watching Dylan Anderson[her friend] sell his Grand Champion steer.” The Grand Champion steer is the highest accolade a junior can earn for showing his/her steer. Not only does winning the Grand Champion give the competitor a cash prize, but also a scholarship for showmanship.