By:
Crystal Ward - Placerville, CA
On January 26 the official donkey mascot was chosen by a group of dignitaries at Denver’s National Western Stock Show. The donkey was owned by Curtis Imrie, 61, of Buena Vista, Co. He had entered three of his donkeys who he felt were candidates for the job.
I was hired to judge the donkey and mule classes for three days, but the judges for the donkey mascot class were: Roy Romer, former Colorado Governor, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, John Stulp, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, Leah Daughtry, Democratic National Convention CEO, Pat Grant, President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show, and Elbra Wedgeworth, President of the 2008 Host Committee.
It was interesting to be standing in the cordoned off area adjacent to the arena, where the judges, announcers and show secretaries gathered. Saturday night was a big show to a nearly sell out crowd where the draft horse ‘6-horse hitch- and other mule classes were planned. Early in the evening however several people from the press started to gather in our area. Eventually more press and a line of dignitaries crowded in. The press were taking photos constantly while we were attempting to go about our business of judging classes.
When the ‘Donkey Mascot Class’ was called, 10 donkeys were led into the arena by exhibitors under 18 years of age. This was a requirement that the exhibitors had to be under 18 years of age and the donkeys should be manageable for youth exhibitors. The donkeys ranged in age from seven months to about 15 years, including jennets, geldings and jacks. There were miniature donkeys, standard donkeys and mammoth donkeys represented.
Eventually the donkey was chosen, a 7-year old black standard donkey named Mordecai, owned by Imrie, and the exhibitor was 10-year old Sophie Herzog. As each donkey was eliminated and eventually Mordecai was announced the winner, Modecai immediately dropped down in the arena to get a good roll in, much to the audiences laughter and applause. As the donkeys and dignitaries left the arena the press followed them, and a press conference was held in another area. The show went on and we got back to our jobs of judging the remainder of the show.
The National Democratic Convention will be held in Denver in August 2008. Mordecai will be a guest at several upcoming events, including the convention in August.
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