COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair sheep show featured 74 entries in 27 classes on Wednesday.
Five classes had only one entrant, while a number of 4-H members competed against themselves during a single class competition.
However, that won’t come as a surprise to those familiar with the sheep competition. Several participating Bartholomew County families say those who exhibit in this livestock competition tend to be a small, close-knit group that often socialize and help one another.
During the Lil’ Wrangler show for children 8 years or younger, a ewe being handled by 4-year-old Alice Rapp started to exhibit rowdy behavior just moments after entering the pavilion. But the preschooler held her ground as an older teen exhibitor got the animal under control.
Event judge Jamie Buckland of Huntington spoke sweetly and encouragingly to all the Lil’ Wranglers, including Alice, because the purpose of the event is to give very young kids experience and confidence while handling livestock in a show ring surrounded by people.
The judge also talked with older contestants, encouraging them to work with their animals prior to the fair.
“Now, they are an animal,” said Buckland, who has judged a variety of livestock shows for the past 13 years. “But if you work with them to do what needs to be done, they are going to be just fine.”
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
