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Cowboy babies bring smiles to Moffat County Fair

Nate Waggenspack
Aislyn Buckner, 15 months, competed in the Cowboy Baby contest Saturday at the 2013 Moffat County Fair. Buckner was one of 12 contestants two and younger to walk around the livestock barn in their best western outfits. Buckner was awarded as Future Big Game Hunter by the judges.
Nate Waggenspack

Awards from 2013 Cowboy Baby contest

Allie Jo King - Future Tony Lama Model

Piper Schnackenberg - Future Overall Cowgirl

Aislyn Buckner - Future Big Game Hunter

Gunner Pepping - Grand Marshall

Jacob Schmedeke - Working Cowboy

Hunter Schmedeke - Laid Back in the Saddle

Marvin Decker - Best Bull Rider

Pete Madsen, Xavier Madsen - Best Team Ropers

Tilden Van Tassel - Future Cowboy Model

Laramie Sexton - Smile of a Rodeo Queen

Mackenzie Havey - No-nonsense Country Girl

Before the big draw of the Moffat County Fair on Saturday — the junior livestock sale — it was all about having fun.

While the fair featured much tenser moments during much of the week as local youth showed their various livestock off to judges and the community, the youngest group helped close out the week with a contest that is all about entertainment with small kids.

The cowboy baby contest had children ages two and under parading around the livestock barn at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in their fanciest western attire.



Some contestants were able to walk with the help of their parents or loved ones, while others were still at the stage of being carried around, but all made impressions with the audience, whether it was with their excited smiles or tired frowns.

“This is one of the really fun events and a fun way to be part of the community,” said Moffat County Commissioner and contest judge Chuck Grobe. “That’s what it’s all about, is fun.”



Grobe was judging with Craig mayor Terry Carwile and former teacher Dwight Siverson. As longtime residents of Northwest Colorado, they were able to create unique awards for every participant, all of which were presented with a certificate to commemorate the occasion.

Gunner Pepping, 13 months old, was awarded as the Grand Marshal, while Laramie Sexton was given the certificate for the Smile of a Rodeo Queen, to name a few awards.

“My favorite part,” Carwile joked, “Is the moms and dads will put those certificates in their family albums and then be able to hold it over their children’s heads 10 years down the road.”

While some cowboy babies looked ready for a nap afterward, the rest of those in attendance at the livestock barn would have a hard time wiping the smiles off their faces the rest of the day.

“It really is tons of fun,” Siverson said. “And you can see how proud the parents are.”

Nate Waggenspack can be reached at 970-875-1795 or nwaggenspack@craigdailypress.com


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