2025 CLE champions crowned

The 2025 Cheyenne Livestock Exposition (CLE) brought a record number of talented exhibitors and top-tier livestock to the Event Center at Archer in Cheyenne for two weeks of competition from Nov. 17-30. 

Champions were crowned across several classes of goats, sheep, hogs and cattle to close out the two-week long show, dubbed by CLE as a “celebration of Western heritage, elite genetics and the spirit of rural America.” 

Cattle results

In the market steer show, Trace Johnson of Monte Vista, Colo. exhibited the overall grand champion, while Rilee Joseph of Berthoud, Colo. earned reserve-champion honors.

Vienna Sells of Omaha, Neb. exhibited the third place market steer, followed by Wyoming exhibitor Davi Frost of Cowley and Jaeda Jensen of Ree Heights, S.D. in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Overall Grand Champion Prospect Heifer was a Maintainer exhibited by Goodland, Kan. Showman Jarrett Mosbarger, followed by a Chianina heifer shown by Adam Alfs of Shickley, Neb. in the reserve champion spot.

Ella Henderson of Goodland, Kan. came in third, followed by Drew Ballard of Inman, Kan. and Piper Warren of Kiowa, Colo. to round out the top-placing prospect heifers.

In the prospect steer show, a Maine-Anjou exhibited by Owasso, Okla. Showman Brigham Reimann came out on top as the Grand Champion Prospect Animal.

Aspen Kuester of Leigh, Neb. exhibited the reserve overall champion, followed by Granit Ready of Torrington in third.

Cattle exhibited by Cash Pratt of Pueblo, Colo. and Koy Johnson of Monte Vista, Colo. rounded out the top-placing prospect steers in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

In the junior breeding heifer division, a Simmental shown by Brylie Benes of Pierce, Neb. earned overall grand champion honors, followed by a Maintainer shown by Reed Pratt of Pueblo, Colo. as reserve champion.

Molly McCurry of Hutchinson, Kan. exhibited the third place overall junior breeding heifer, followed by Alfs and Ryen Carlson of Big Springs, Neb. in fourth and fifth, respectively.

In the open divisions, a Simmental from Gateway Genetics earned grand-champion honors in the heifer category, while a Hereford bull exhibited by Cory Wood of Maysville, Mo. earned grand champion in the bull category.

Reserve champion accolades were awarded to a Maintainer heifer shown by Reed Pratt and a Charolais bull exhibited by Andrew Odden of Colome, S.D.

Third through fifth places in the open heifer category went to Alfs; Cooper Lindstrom of Elm Creek, Neb. and Avery Kimble of Montrose, Colo., respectively.

In the open bull division, Emerson Peterson of Fremont, Neb. took third, followed by bulls from Siek Ranch of Blairstown, Iowa and Wardell Cattle of Sheridan in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Goat results

Bennett Gordon of Good Hope, Ill. earned top honors in the goat show, exhibiting the Grand Champion Breeding Doe, as well as the third and fourth place market goats.

Kaitlyn Mekelburg of Eckley, Colo. exhibited the Reserve Champion Breeding Doe, followed by Dayton Mortvedt of Lynnville, Iowa; Elizabeth Albrecht of Howard, S.D. and Bella Campbell of Julesburg, Colo. in third through fifth, respectively.

Caysen Newell of Loma, Colo. exhibited the Grand Champion Market Goat, while Brock Mortvedt of Lynnville, Iowa exhibited the reserve champion.

Albrecht also earned fifth place in the market goat show to round out the top finishers.

Sheep results

In the market lamb show, Maddison Wynd of Norman, Okla. earned grand champion honors, followed by Hayley Byrd of Gerber, Calif., as the overall reserve champion in both the market lamb and breeding ewe shows. 

Dalli Horrocks of Vernal, Utah exhibited the third place market lamb, while Brock Mortvedt and Albrecht were once again competitive with fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively.

Albrecht also earned fourth place overall in the breeding ewe division. 

Raina Johnson of Harrisburg, S.D. exhibited the Overall Champion Breeding Ewe, while third and fifth places were awarded to Sydney Brader of Mediapolis, Iowa and Makenzie Rule of Brownwood, Texas, respectively.

Hog results

Bailey Stromberger of Iliff, Colo. swept the market hog show, exhibiting the Champion Hampshire and Light Cross Market Hogs to earn overall grand champion and overall reserve champion honors.

Dawson Dever of Keenesburg, Colo. earned third overall in the hog show, and exhibited the Champion Berkshire Market Hog. 

Haze Heiner of Corinne, Utah exhibited the Reserve Champion Hampshire Market Hog to finish fourth overall, and Landon Charles of Flagler, Colo. rounded out the top five overall market show placings with a Champion Dark Cross Market Hog.

In the breeding gilt show, Jami Hoblyn of York, Neb. earned grand-champion honors, followed by Emma Ott of Aurora, Neb. whose animals earned both reserve champion and third-place honors.

Kate Heikes of Olathe, Kan. earned fourth overall in the breeding gilt show followed by Cash Shelton of Greeley, Colo. in fifth.

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.