Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Aleigh Aurin's pink cowboy boots and pink Western shirt match her pink saddle pad, which accents her pink, ostrich-skin saddle.

"Even her red roan quarter horse is as close to pink as you can get," said Aleigh's mom, Bethany Aurin.

But it was blue - as in blue ribbons - that Aleigh wore Tuesday at the Routt County Fair.

The 12-year-old seventh-grader at Steamboat Springs Middle School was crowned open champion for both the English division and the western gymkhana division for the three-day Open Horse Show that ended Sunday.

Aleigh continued competing Tuesday with her 9-year-old horse, Rosie, at the 4-H Horse Show. Riding alongside her friends, she said the fair is a bittersweet end to the summer.

"It's one of the last times I'll be with some of my friends this summer," she said. "The (Routt County) Gymkhana Club is almost over and the pony club is almost over too. I stayed with some friends last night and we had a lot of fun, but school's going to be starting soon."

Bethany Aurin said the spirit of camaraderie among the competitors is heartwarming and noted the riders don't compete against each other; rather, they compete side-by-side.

"When Aleigh rode out of the arena last night, her best friend was riding in," she said. "They gave each other a high five like they were on they were teammates playing basketball. To see them all together having fun is truly wonderful."

Aleigh's ribbons were exclusively equine related, while fellow rider, Sawyer Lorenz, 13, prepared to add another ribbon to his collection as he readied his pig, Jack Sparrow, for Tuesday night's swine weigh-in.

"He's just to show, not to be butchered and sold to a person," said Sawyer.

Sawyer's mom, Lisa Lorenz, said working with horses and pigs has helped her son with impairments associated with autism.

"It helps him care about something other than himself," she said. "It keeps him from being egocentric. The 4-H Club is so welcoming that it is also good social experience for him."

Sawyer won a blue ribbon in the pony and mare halter class, and as he maneuvered around a course in the Western horsemanship competition his mom said he might place for another ribbon.

"This is the third year he has competed, and the first couple years we told the judges about his autism," she said. "He has improved so much we didn't tell the judges this year, and now he competes on the same level."

Prior to entering the arena, Sawyer patiently waited, mounted on his horse Oreo, alongside the other riders. As he was called into the ring to show his skills, Aleigh called out to him.

"Good luck Sawyer," she said.