We caught up with Mr. Evan McClain before he steps “Inside the Ring” to sort the Ewe Show at the 2025 Cheyenne Livestock Expo. Get to know Evan below!
Who first encouraged you to step into the ring as a judge?
Jason Miller and Aaron Orebaugh approach me at a young age about making a 4-H judging team and from that point on the rest was history. It lead me to juco where I judged under the legendary Craig Beckmier and then to finish out my career with the man himself Dr. Mark Hoge. They all inspired and instilled my passion for livestock evolution and still play a major role in it to this day.
Do you have a “pre-show ritual” or way you get in the right mindset before walking into the ring?
Not really, just get dressed listen to some buffalo traffic jam and get excited for what could walk in the ring.
What’s one lesson showing livestock taught you that you still use today?
Be resilient, there are good days, bad days, and sometimes days or points in your life that make you want to give up. Find your people and climb the mountain no matter how steep it is.
What’s the very first thing you notice when an animal/exhibitor enters the ring?
First impressions are huge to me. I believe it truly tells the story of not only the showman but the livestock they are exhibiting. It’s hard to describe but you know when you see it in a kids eye. How much they want it, how hard they’ve worked, the hours, the time, the effort will never go unnoticed when I evaluate.
One word or a short phrase you’d use to describe your judging style?
Decisive
