BRIGGSDALE, Colo. — The Western way of life is instilled, for some kids, at a young age.
Tatum and Tegan DePorter are just 11 and 10 years old, but they've already won countless titles for their heifers and steers at the county, state and national level.
"You can’t keep them dirty and you can’t not let them have water and you have to feed them every morning," said Tegan.
The girls work hard all year long, raising their cattle to show at competitions across the country.
But, instead of seeing ranch life as work, Tatum sees it as an opportunity a lot of kids don't get.
"Instead of like thinking like you have to do it, my dad always tells me that you don't have to do anything, you get to do something. So, I think of it like that," said Tatum.
The National Western Stock Show is one of the toughest competitions in the country. People come from all across the nation to show their livestock.
Last year at the Stock Show, Tatum's steer got first in her class, a huge accomplishment for any 4H participant. It was her first time making it to the Junior Auction.
"Now they're getting to an age, too, where they come up with their own ideas and kind of their own system," said Travis DePorter, their dad. "They don't really compete against each other, it's more of a with each other."
The DePorter sisters said they feel confident and ready to get in the ring. It's a family tradition spanning five generations.
"It kind of chokes you up a little bit to see them grow through it and the pride you get out of seeing them finish," said Travis.
It's a way of life these sisters don't take for granted, while working together and learning important life lessons.
"I'm going to put all what I have out there," said Tatum. "Even if I get a seventh place, I know that I did my best, very best."
This year, Tatum and Tegan showed their cattle in the Red Angus show, Junior Market show, and Prospect Cattle shows.
On Tuesday, Tatum won champion division and champion junior showman with her heifer. Tegan won the reserve champion division, reserve champion showman, as well as grand champion bred and owned heifer.
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