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Stock show ends, a winner again

Unusual snow, cold failed to curb spirits of 650,000 attendees

Laressa Bachelor, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 22, 2007 at midnight

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Despite more wintry weather Sunday, hundreds of people filled the halls of the National Western Complex hoping to enjoy the stock show for one more day.

Beverly Proett, of Lakewood, braved the storm with her friends, Marilyn Stephens and Dawn Buring, to attend the cowboy church. After the service, they shopped and ate funnel cake, Proett said.

In the past, Proett brought her kids to the show, but this time she and her friends decided to make it a "gal event."

"It's a Denver tradition, and we are here to be a part of it," she said.

Fans like Proett have made this year's stock show a success despite the recent cold temperatures and piles of snow, organizers said.

Though attendance levels were down 10 percent from last year, the 2007 event drew 649,637 people, spokeswoman Kati Anderson said.

"People make the stock show what it is," she said. "Without their support, there wouldn't be a show."

For the past decade, the National Western has attracted more than 600,000 spectators per year, making it Denver's largest annual convention, Anderson said.

Back at the Stadium Arena, Proett and her friends cheered for their favorite dogs in the stock dog trials. Forty canines from around the country competed in the open sheep finals, trying to be the quickest to herd three sheep into an enclosure.

Zac, a 7-year-old border collie, won the title with the fastest time of 2 minutes, 11 seconds.

His trainer, Laura Hicks, of Allan, S.D., said she was thrilled with the victory, but that it was only part of the whole stock show experience.

"We come to Denver mainly to get together with other dog handlers and compare notes on training," she said. "It's great to be here."

In fact, dog events were among the most popular at this year's stock show. The lively and intrepid Superdogs had two sold-out performances.

With thousands of critters at the show, there was a favorite animal for just about anyone.

For 17-year-old Jessica Lopez it was the chickens.

"Some had feathers all over their faces and legs, some were skinny and others fat," Lopez said with a giggle. "They were funny."

Her brother, Jose, and father, Jose Luis Lopez, come every year to see the horses.

The family owns four horses and takes advantage of the workshops to get advice on how to maintain and keep them healthy.

"People are just great. If I ask anyone for advice on the type of pasture or medicine for my horses, they help me and write the information down," Lopez said.

Mark Richardson, of Bear Creek Ranch in Morrison, said he brings a couple of "nice" bulls to the stock show every year for youngsters to see.

People are often surprised to see a mild-tempered bull, Richardson said.

"I enjoy seeing kids who are city slickers have an opportunity to touch animals and to see bulls and horses up close," Richardson said. "Not often do you get to sit down on a 2,100-pound bull."

Richardson recalled the time a customer had so much momentum getting onto one of his bulls that she landed on the other side.

"That was an educational experience as well," he said with a smile.

or 303-954-5606

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