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PHOTOS: Draft horse, mule and donkey show at the National Western Stock Show

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

The Ames Construction 8 Hitch team from Burnsville, MN, brings their horses into the arena before competing in the 8 Hitch Draft horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024. The show highlights the sheer force of todayxe2x80x99s draft horses with the 8 hitch teams of draft horse competition, the Draft/Mule feed team race finals and open mule barrel races. This was the final day of the National Western Stock Show. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Brian Coleman and his daughter Taylor, right, with the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, wait to bring their horses into Cinch arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Enos Yoder and his daughter Wanda with the Yoder Hay Hitch, from Westcliffe, bring their horses into Cinch arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Enos Yoder and his daughter Wanda with the Yoder Hay Hitch, from Westcliffe, bring their horses into Cinch arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Tim Sparrow and his wife Brittany, with Young Living from Mona, Utah, brings their horses into the arena before competing in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Enos Yoder and his daughter Wanda with the Yoder Hay Hitch, from Westcliffe, wait to bring their horses into Cinch arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Ross Honsberger and Kelsey Gilbert, with the Jackson Fork Ranch Hitch, wait in Cinch arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

An 8 Hitch drivers and their horses waits in the arena before competing in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Garrett Anson, left, and his brother Grady, with the Anson Belgians Hitch head to the arena to compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition with their Belgian draft horses in Cinch arena during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Garrett Anson, left, and his brother Grady, with the Anson Belgians Hitch compete with their Belgian draft horses in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition in Cinch arena during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Elie Yoder, left, and Bryan Olson, with Tired Boots Stables Hitch, compete with their Percheron draft horses in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition in Cinch arena during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024. The show highlights the sheer force of today's draft horses with the 8 hitch teams of draft horse competition, the Draft/Mule feed team race finals and open mule barrel races. This was the final day of the National Western Stock Show. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Garrett Anson, left, and his brother Grady, with the Anson Belgians Hitch, compete with their Belgian draft horses in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition in Cinch arena during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Rows of draft horses on 8 hitch teams and their owners are judged in the arena as they compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition at the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Tim Sparrow and his wife Brittany, with Young Living Hitch ,from Mona, Utah, compete in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Members of The Johnson Belgians 8 Hitch Team, from Unity, Saskatchewan, BC, come out of the arena with blue ribbons after winning the 8 Hitch Team draft horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024. The show highlights the sheer force of today's draft horses with the 8 hitch teams of draft horse competition, the Draft/Mule feed team race finals and open mule barrel races. This was the last day of the National Western Stock Show.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Kaylee Damiano hangs out with her Clydesdale horses after competing in the 8 Hitch Draft Horse competition during the Draft Horse, Mule and Donkey Show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Barrel Racer Hailey Kinsel, of Fort Worth, Texas, puts ankle protection around her horses legs after competing in the Barrel racing finals at the Pro Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024. Kinsel tied for first in her race. Her horses are Iago and Sister in the foreground. This was the final day of the National Western Stock Show.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Winston, a basset hound that belongs to Barrel Racer Hailey Kinsel, of Fort Worth, Texas, waits by his owner's trailer after she competed in the Barrel racing finals at the Pro Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 21, 2024.