Craig Daily Press

Craig — Different worlds.

That’s how Makayla Good­now described being both a public school student and a National Western Stock Show exhibitor.

The difference between the two is hard to miss.

Makayla’s school friends wonder why she chose to show a goat at the stock show in Denver last week, she said.

“When I talk to my 4-H friends, it’s totally different,” said Makayla.

As she speaks, she holds the ninth-place ribbon she and her goat, Cocoa Puff, won in a market goat division last week. Her sister, Alexi, sitting next to her, placed ninth in junior division showmanship.

Multi-colored ribbons, hours on the road, goats with names like Cocoa Puff, Juicy Fruit and Alabama — it’s all part of the show for Makayla and Alexi.

National Western Stock Show, scheduled Jan. 12 through 27, allows adults and youths to show livestock in showmanship and market divisions.

The Goodnows aren’t alone. Other local youths show livestock at the month-long annual event, which some 4-H members say is defined by camaraderie and competition, losses and wins.

For siblings Ashley and Brad Summers, two Moffat County High School students, the annual event is a training ground for future events, including county and state fairs.

The Summers began working with their calves in September. Since then, they’ve been training their animals for the competition by leading them, walking them and proving that they can control them in front of a judge.

Although Ashley and Brad show the calves, they also meet and sometimes befriend other competitors at the show, they said.

“It’s easier to talk to them about” livestock, Ashley said. “They know what you’re talking about.”

“They’re all on the same wavelength,” said Dave, Ashley and Brad’s father.

Still, the lifestyle these students share isn’t all about ribbons and new acquaintances.

Sometimes it includes defeat and, at the stock show, it can result in heartache.

The stock show is a terminal show, meaning all the market animals — including those that didn’t place high enough to be included in the livestock sale — are sold for slaughter.

“It’s pretty tough,” said Nick Maneotis, whose daughters, Karissa and Andrea, presented goats at the show last week. “They get attached to them … from spending so much time with them.”

Still, the hard work and loss can yield rewards.

Like the winning ribbons.

Karissa placed fifth in the intermediate goat showmanship and market goat classes last week. Her younger sister, Andrea, won Reserve Grand Champion in the junior goat showmanship division.

This week, Karissa tried again, showing lambs in the intermediate market and showmanship divisions.

“It’s just like any other sport,” Karissa said. “You do it for the competition.”

And there also are the friends — other youths who can relate.

“There’s quite a few (competitors) you become really close friends with,” she said. “You’re going to the same shows, sharing the same lifestyle.”

Bridget Manley can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 207 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com