As the emcee for the 2024 Park County Fair Fashion Revue, Curtis Muecke worked on his feet for the five and a half hour show in a smart looking suit and tie. Later, after a clothing change, was expected to be at 4-H pig practice for three hours. But it was what he did in the middle of his long day that found him in the winner’s circle.

Muecke knows his cats. He was the favorite to win the grand champion award after winning three of the last four years in the event.

He presented his cat to judge Talynn Paterson, of Casper, and was prepared to give an 11 minute speech on the health and structure of his feline friend, Dolly.

The wiggly cat — her color classified as diluted tortoise shell — was a mostly willing participant as Muecke showed its teeth, eyes, ears and structure while speaking on its health and features.

It’s not easy to find a cat that will put up with not being the star of the show.

It was Muecke’s demonstration of his understanding and handling of the species and ability to effectively communicate that was in the spotlight. As he gave his speech, he watched the judge’s reaction to his speech and noticed his descriptions were a little too long in the tooth for her.

“She started to get a little bit annoyed when I was going into so much detail,” he said.

So he switched gears and cut his speech down to six minutes on the fly. The decision was spot on and the judge awarded him the championship banner and a sweet belt buckle, complete with a silver silhouette of a long-tailed cat, exquisitely made by Sheridan Saddle and Buckle Company.

“He’s a very good student of human nature,” said his mother, Christy Muecke.

It hasn’t been easy. Sadly, Bailey, the cat with which he won his first two championships, passed away. Dolly, who he got from a neighbor, came to the rescue. She helped Muecke win the next two championships, including Wednesday’s event. Victory has eased the pain of losing a trusted pet.

“I love the sense of competition and slightly less serious manner [of cat showmanship],” he said. “I love building connections with all of my competitors. And I love the opportunities the 4-H gives me.”

Muecke has won in several other 4-H competitions, including grand champion in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions for cat showmanship; grand champion in the intermediate division of the dog show; grand champion in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions for rabbit showmanship; grand champion in the intermediate division in mini horse showmanship; and grand champion in public speaking for Park County for the last three years and coaching speaker for the last four years. He was also the grand champion Friday for the FFA mini horse showman contest, not to mention his winning of many reserve champion awards, as well as dozens of ribbons.

He probably won’t be needing a new belt buckle for decades to come. But none of his disciplines are celebrated more than his cat showmanship. Combined with his speaking prowess, he is a force to be reckoned with at the fair.

Some might think of the category as participants attempting to herd cats, but you’d be wrong. Handling a cat may not be easy, but the amount of work to be able to communicate to become a grand champion is intimidating. Muecke’s understanding of the subject matter and determination seems to come easy to him, but his dedication to learning the necessary information takes a lot of time.

“He studies and works hard,” said Mary Louise Wood, University of Wyoming Extension educator for 4-H youth development. “A lot of the success in cat showmanship is the knowledge he can demonstrate. He has done years of studying.”

The quality and quantity of his speeches for several different competitions and occasions are impressive — especially in the way he makes difficult subject matter look easy. His ability to speak publicly is taking him to a national competition at the Western 4-H Round-Up in Denver later this year.

Muecke is also on the Wyoming 2024 4-H Leadership Team — one of seven leaders in the state.

“I really didn’t think I would get in. But my background in presentation skills, from cats, rabbits and presentation contests at the fair, really gave me an edge,” he said.

Wood said he is a natural leader.

“He’s always willing to help other competitors,” she said.

There is plenty of room for livestock and pets on the Muecke ranch in the Shoshone River Valley. His parents are intent on raising children who understand the benefits of hard work, being self-sustaining and always doing the right thing.

“Agriculture is a big part of our lives,” Curtis said.

As for Dolly, she seemed indifferent to the award, like she had no doubt she would be the champion before entering the arena.