HUMBOLDT – The 4-H entries at the Richardson County Fair are on a five-year upswing, especially in the sheep show where top trophies went to first-time exhibitors.

Danyelle Kuker of Shubert was the top senior showman in her first time showing lambs. The 18-year-old granddaughter of Larry Kuker explained her motivation.

 

Kuker: “There were so little numbers last year that I wanted to keep the program up, so I decided I’ll go ahead and show some just to keep the numbers up.

 

Kuker: “Because I’d like to see it continue on. My grandfather used to do sheep and so I’ve been getting into sheep. It’s just a tradition I’d like to keep going.”

Extension Educator Kaytlyn Kennedy said the show has had as few as 10 entries, but the 28 entries this year are a welcome resurgence.

 

A Hampshire Down crossbred lamb shown by Caroline Powell, 13, of Falls City was the grand champion market lamb.

Powell has ample experience showing goats, but wanted the challenge that sheep present.

Powell: “They are a lot stronger than goats and you can’t use collars on them, so you kind of have to use  your muscles and train them a lot more than goats to be able to get them to walk calmly and not pull you across the ring.”

 

 

Adisen Fischer of Falls City has been active in 4-H for 12 years, but she --  like nearly every competitor at this year’s event – is a first-time sheep exhibitor.

Fischer: “I love working all kinds of different animals. I really think it grows you as a person and you learn all kinds of new skills.”

Fischer: “I loved it. I can’t wait for next year. All my sheep did amazing. I’m very happy with how they placed.”

Keylee Olberding was the intermediate showman and Collin Kaster won the junior showmanship class.