DEMOS, EXHIBITS, & SEMINARS
We’ve got lots of exhibits and educational demonstrations ongoing during the Meeker Classic. Be sure to check our schedule and information below.
2023 FREE Education Programs – Please check back often as this will be updated
Overview and Schedule
2023 Education Schedule
DEMONSTRATIONS
POTTERY – Andy Goettel G3 Pottery and Arts
Meeker’s own Andy Goettel will demonstrate his craft of pottery throughout the day (as time allows) on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Mr. Goettel was an art instructor for 34 years, and retired from Meeker High School. In retirement he is pursuing his artwork full time.
As a professional artist Andy operates his studio called G3 Pottery & Arts. The work Mr. Goettel produces is a combination of functional stoneware, raku work and sculptural forms. His work can be seen and is available for purchase at the Meeker Classic Craft Fair where G3 Pottery & Arts have been quality vendors and part of the Meeker Classic for years.
NAVAJO WEAVING & TRADITIONS – MAE PESHLAKAI
Demonstrations in Vendor Tent – Wednesday thru Sunday
Mae Peshlakai has committed her professional life to the cultural practices, commerce and education for the Navajo Nation. Mae is a story teller, teacher and artist that bridges cultural gaps. A master weaver having had rugs placed in the Smithsonian, the Heard and other museums, Mae generously shares her story, wisdom and culture with all who want to know. Mae’s recently deceased husband, James, was deeply involved with Navajo education as a Navajo Medicine man and singer. James served as Elder-in-Residence Teaching Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University, sharing insight into native plants, geology, self-reliance, and cultural values. Mae is also an accomplished jewelry maker. Mae’s booth will feature her weavings, jewelry and displays of the Navajo culture. Outside of their professional lives Mae and James care for their livestock on their ranch near Cameron, AZ.
Mae doesn’t know a stranger and will share her stories during the trials at the booth. You’ll find her working on some jewelry, weaving or visiting with passersby. Stop by her booth in the big vending tent and meet Mae.
THE WESTERN HAT – History & Hat Care Tips
Powder River Hat Company
Brooke Briddle – Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Brook Briddle is a Colorado hat maker with a talent not only for making functional headgear, but he also has a remarkable eye for design. His work stands the test of time and his reputation carries so far as to bring customers in by word of mouth.
Brook has always loved hats – when he was little he’d wear everything from a milk carton to football helmet on his head. After working at different hat shops over the years Brook eventually opened his own shop Powder River Custom Hat Co on Main St in Elizabeth, CO. Brook has been working in his new location for 12 years but has been building the finest hats for over 23 years.
While, Brook has made hats for many celebrities- he’s known for building hats for everyday working cowboys.
LEATHERWORK AND SADDLEMAKING
Klenda’s Custom Saddles, Bob Klenda
Pistol River Leather, Mike Brennan
Friday, Saturday & Sunday – Vending Tent
Mike Brennan operates Pistol River Leather, a custom saddle and leather in Meeker. He specializes in crafting fine custom working saddles, built to fit you and your horse, and tailored to your specific needs. With many years and long hours experience working in saddles, he is uniquely qualified to understand the needs of both the horse and rider. Mike also handles a large volume of saddle repairs, from minor to major, harness and tack repair, with access to virtually any of the specialized hardware, collars, collar pads, hames, etc. required to restore a set of harness to like new condition. He is happy to share his knowledge and experience with you.
Bob has been making saddles since 1961. Now, nearly 500 saddles and 50 plus years later Bob continues to hone his saddle making skills. Bob and his wife recently moved from Meeker to Nebraska where they could be closer to family. This year, finds Bob busily at work in his saddle shop as he creates award winning saddles and tack that are cherished around the world. His work today is primarily custom ordered; in addition, occasionally he makes a piece for a particular show or extras when doing a custom order and then offering them for sale. He enjoys showing his work as well as helping people design gear that suits their needs.
Bob teaches the art of leatherwork and saddle making at his shop, trade shows and seminars.
Pistol River Leather, Mike Brennan – www.pistolriverleather.com
Klenda’s Custom Saddles, Bob Klenda – www.klendasaddlery.com
SPECIAL PRESENTERS
SHEEP INDUSTRY ISSUES – BOOK SIGNING
AWARD WINNING AUTHOR & SHEEP INDUSTRY EXPERT
Cat Urbigkit – Writer, Photographer, Rancher
Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Purina Tent next to the large vending tent
Cat Urbigkit is an author and photographer of nonfiction books for both children and adults. Leaving behind her career as a newspaper reporter, Urbigkit became a full-time book author in 2005, but she’s been a devoted reader, writer, and library user since she was in third grade.
The author lives on a working sheep ranch in western Wyoming with her family and her livestock guardian animals, including guardian dogs and burros. In her nonfiction books for adults, Urbigkit often writes about big predators, and life on western rangelands shared by these species. Urbigkit shares the beauty of rural life through her nonfiction books for children. Her books have received honors from the International Reading Association, Junior Library Guild, National Science Teachers Association, Society of School Librarians International, and numerous state reading associations.
Cat is the author of Wolf Watch, a news blog, and is a contributing writer to Stephen Bodio’s Querencia Nature Blog. Her photographs of ranch life and wildlife appear in numerous books and magazines, and her daily FaceBook posts are popular. Urbigkit is the co-owner and editor of The Shepherd magazine, and enjoys traveling the world learning about pastoral cultures.
Cat will share her wealth of knowledge on the many issues facing the sheep industry – including her vast knowledge on wolves. She will also host a book signing while at the Purina tent. You can purchase her books there as well.
You can learn more about Cat by visiting her website: www.paradisesheep.com
Celtic Music and Story Telling
Ken Willson & Kim McKee
Wool Waulking Story Telling & Celtic Traditions – in various tents and around the grounds Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Why do men wear kilts? How were they made? Come see the REAL history of the kilt, and experience the traditional garment of the Highlands, with Celtic Folklorists Willson & McKee! Learn a waulking song, practice shrinking the ‘web of wool’, and take a step into the ancient history of northern Scotland!
Scottish Pipe and Drums – Kaydell & Shawn Stewart
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Kaydell and Shawn have a long history with the Meeker Classic. Kaydell’s father was our first piper – Huey was his name. She and Shawn are full of energy and life and bring a breath of fresh air to the Meeker Classic with their presence. They will be helping with the school program and playing about the site during the trial.
COLORADO VETERINARY SPECIALTY GROUP
www.covetspec.com – 401 E. County Line Road, Littleton, CO 80122
Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Education Tent
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation was developed to meet the unique needs of the athletic and working animals, as well as all animals in need of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation focuses on recovery after surgical procedures and improving the quality of life in animals suffering from debilitating diseases such as arthritis or neurological impairments.
The Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service specialize in diagnostics and non-surgical management of lameness, injury prevention, conditioning, rehabilitation, and pain management. Our team will evaluate your pet and prescribe a personalized treatment plan for each patient. We use the most advanced therapies in pet rehabilitation today to help get your animal’s physical mobility to an optimal level of function.
Stop by and visit with us. Learn about our services and programs and what we have to offer.
ALL ABOUT WOOL FROM SHEEP TO FABRIC – VENDOR TENT
Eric Wellman, Wellman Family Corridales
Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
The Wellman Family started raising Registered Corriedales in 1976. They focus on producing funtional sheep that excel in range conditions and quality wool. Learn about sheep and the different kinds of wool they produce – how it is harvested and processed – hands on experience with the wool by Wellman Family Corriedales. You’ll see raw hand spinning fleeces from their own sheep. Felted wool sheets and many other items.
Wellman Family Corriedales
PO Box 84
Hamilton CO 81638
970-701-9107
edwellman88@gmail.com
SNIFFER DOGS – NOSE WORK DEMONSTRATIONS
Daily Morning Demonstrations in the Pen across from the Education Tent
Professional K9 handlers who work in law enforcement and the military developed a new companion dog sport, so that our pet dogs can use their amazing talent to find a specific scent. We teach our dogs to find the scent of a specific essential oil. Once they learn to search out that scent for us, we add in new environments. We call them “elements”. Our companion dogs learn to find the specific scent in 4 elements including Containers, Vehicles, Interiors and Exteriors.
Sheep Cheese Tasting – Friday at the Wilber Barn
‘Sheep Cheese Tasting with
Blanco Cellars and The Little Cheese Shop
4 Essential Sheep’s milk cheese to know and love!’
Saturday, September 11, 2021 11 am to Noon at the Art Barn
WESTERN BORDER COLLIE RESCUE
Demonstrations and Education Programs on-going at their Booth – right across from the Information Booth
Saturday and Sunday
Western Border Collie Rescue is an all-volunteer organization working in and around the Rocky Mountain region. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home Border Collies that have been abandoned, neglected or are no longer able to remain in their current home. WBCR also works to educate the public on the characteristics and needs of Border Collies.
WBCR is not a facility open to the public; instead, the dogs are fostered at individuals’ homes. Appointments to meet a dog must be made in advance and only AFTER the application, approval, and a matching process has been completed. Please see our Adopt page to see how the adoption process works.
WBCR operates from donations and adoption fees to defray the cost of vet expenses, the time and money expended in foster care, food, phone calls and transports. Most of our volunteers work full-time jobs and foster Border Collies as a true labor of love. Please keep this in mind when you begin the application process. The process may take a week or so to get underway. Please be patient!
Meeker FFA Chapter – LEARNING, COMMUNICATING AND BUILDING OUR FUTURE LEADERS
There’s no better way to learn about farm life than by seeing farm animals first hand. The Meeker High School FFA Chapter will host a petting farm at the Meeker Classic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Their mission is “outreach” to educate the public on animal husbandry and offer an opportunity for spectators to meet and greet farm animals .
The chapter members have coordinated and developed a great program for you. We thank all the Meeker FFA Chapter members for their partnership in this program.
Additionally, each year the Rangely and Meeker Chapters of the FFA assist in the flag raising ceremony as part of the “Opening Cermonies” before the final round of competition on Sunday.
The FFA programs of Rio Blanco County are another example of hands on leadership training and taking pride in our agricultural heritage. Instructors are: Denee Chintala from Meeker High School and Clinton Kilduff from Rangely High School.
FLYBALL and AGILITY
FLYBALL and AGILITYDemonstrations at the Bill Lukes Field on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Agility is a sport for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, and handlers of all ages and abilities. Agility is basically an obstacle course with a variety of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other obstacles that the dog must successfully navigate, much like steeplechase events for horses. One interesting fact about agility is that the dogs will compete on a half dozen courses with different layouts and obstacles in a day, and the dog will not have seen the actual course before running it. Agility is a wonderful activity for all types of dogs and dog owners, whether or not they are interested in competing and regardless of age. Border collies and other herding dogs are favorites, but by no means are they the only breeds that you will see compete successfully.
COLORADO COMFORT K-9’s – Animal Assisted Dog Therapy Teams
Located in Educational Area near Handicapped Seating –Sunday Only
The Meeker Classic welcomes Colorado Comfort K-9’s back to our event this year. The vision of this organization is to bring together certified animal-assisted therapy dog teams with communities during times of extreme distress. In extremely stressful situations, time spent with dogs has been proven to have immense advantages by improving psychological wellbeing as well as delivering a sense of calm and comfort.
Colorado Canine Comfort teams do not work at the disaster site. The handlers, which are all Critical Incident Stress Management trained, take their teams to visit injured victims and to give comfort and support to the first responders, relief workers and members of the community, all of which are under incredible pressure from the disaster event. For further information contact: Colorado Comfort Canines, PO Box 65, Oak Creek, CO 80467, www.coloradocomfortcanines.org or Melissa@coloradocomfortcanines.org