Today was an exciting day because it was the showmanship show.  This show is about how good you show your steer.  I was excited and a little worried about this show because I really wanted to do good.

Since I was the youngest, I was in the very last class of the day.  When we got back to the fair after the morning feeding, we watched some of the older kids show their steers so I could know what the judge liked and how to show my steer.  The judge that we had liked steers that stood still and so I was worried that Charlie wouldn’t stand good at all.

To get Charlie ready for the show, we got him wet and scrubbed him with dish soap.  Charlie acted a little better than the day before when we washed him so I thought maybe he’d act a little better for this show than he did in the quality show.  Next we put him in our chute and brushed him and blew his hair.  For most shows, you fit the steer, but for the show at our fair, it is only about showmanship so you just wash them and blow them.

When we were done with Charlie, it was almost time for me to show so we walked him to where we wait and walked him around a little to get his energy out but it didn’t really work.  He was acting a little bit better than yesterday but he still wouldn’t stand very still.

I was third in line to walk into the show ring.  We walked to the front so we could stand in a line so the judge could ask us questions and feel the fat on our steers.  The judge asked me what my steer’s name was, how much he weighed, and what I feed him.  He also talked to me more than just asked questions.  I like this judge better than the judge yesterday because I could understand what he said.  Then we walked around in a circle and stopped to give the judge a head to tail view.  When I stop my steer, I have to hold his head up and scratch his belly or his brisket because this calms him down and feels good to him.  Then I have to set his feet us square and keep looking at the judge.

Charlie let me set him up good at first but then he wouldn’t stand very still so I had to keep walking him in a circle to get him to stay where he was supposed to.  I didn’t think I was going to place very high because Charlie wouldn’t stand good at all.  It was very hot in the afternoon but even though I was very, very sweaty and very, very hot, I kept smiling and looking at the judge and acting like I wasn’t hot at all.  When the judge got the microphone, he said that I was the best showman out in the ring, but Charlie wouldn’t stand still but I still got third place and a blue ribbon.  I felt really good, happy, and excited.  After I walked out of the show ring with Charlie, the announcer asked for the third place winner to come pick up her trophy.  When I heard this, I felt really, really, really happy!  I’ve never won a trophy before and I had no idea I was going to win one.  Yay!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the show was over, I walked around the fair with my family to get an after-show treat and I picked a smoothie.  We also got donuts that were so good.

We ran into Idaho’s Lt. Governor, Brad Little.  My mom knows him so I got to take a picture with him.

To end my day at the fair, we got to watch a entertainer and he picked out kids from the audience to play instruments so my sisters and I did.  It was super fun!

This was the best day of the fair yet because I got third place.  I love the Twin Falls County Fair!

Today was a big day for Charlie and me because it was the quality show.  The quality show at the fair is about your steer and how much meat he will probably have and if he’s finished or not.

I have to get up really early because we need to get to the fair to feed Charlie before we get him ready for the show.  While he is outside eating, we clean out his stall.  Then we have to give Charlie a bath.  He doesn’t like this very much at the fair.  I don’t know why because he really liked getting washed at home.

After we wash him, then we blow his hair dry.  Then we put some really strong hairspray on his legs and spray some oil on his body to make him shine.  Then he is ready to go to the show.

There are 130 steers at our fair so the show takes all day long.  I was in the 4th class to go in the show ring.  I was nervous because when we were waiting for our class to start, Charlie wouldn’t stand still and had lots of energy.

When it was my turn, first I led Charlie in the show ring and stayed in a straight line in the front with the other steers so the judge could look at them.  Then we walked around in a circle and stopped in the back of the show ring.  Then the judge put all of us in line in the order he liked them best and then he told us about why he liked a steer or why he didn’t.

Charlie weighed 1218 pounds and he probably needed about 30 more pounds so I got 5th place in my class.  The judge said that at first he though Charlie would be a top contender but he needed a little more muscle.  A girl in my 4-H club told me, “Think of it this way, you got first place of the second half.”

I was kind of mad at Charlie because whenever I stopped him, he wouldn’t stay there.  My legs were shaking when I was in the show ring, but I didn’t let go of his halter and kept good hold of him.

After the show, we washed and scrubbed him again to get all of the hairspray and oil out of his hair.

A couple hours later, Charlie was laying down and I tried sitting with him and he liked it so then I started singing songs to him.  Then I thought, “Why not make up a special imaginary land for us to live and our own language.”  Charlie told me not to tell you what it was called.  How he told me no was by head butting me when I asked him.

This morning, I was a little mad at Charlie because he wouldn’t stay still during the show but I was only mad for a little while.  Then he let me sit with him for a long time in the afternoon and I remembered how much I like him.

 

Yesterday was weigh-in day at the fair. First, we had to go to school registration for 4th grade.

Then we rushed home to give Charlie his last bath at home. He was mostly clean because we’ve been washing him a lot.  But his hooves were covered solid in poop because we’ve had so much rain this month and his corral is really messy.  It took a lot of work to clean his hooves today.  (We had to chisel at them with a screwdriver).

When we loaded Charlie in the trailer, he didn’t really like it. He kept moving around.  Unloading him, he was fine.  Then we took him to his spot in the barn. A little while later, we weighed him in. He weighed 1,218 pounds.

There was a meeting a couple hours later about how the steer shows would work and what we’re supposed to do. Then I finally had a lunchable for dinner because we were super hungry and we didn’t want to wait until we got home so late.

I was tired and needed to get to bed; I had to get up at 5:50 in the morning (augh!) so I could go back to the fairgrounds and feed my steer.

Stay tuned to read more about my week at the fair.

Hi! My name is Sadie. I’m 9 years old and I’m excited to be old
enough this year to be in 4-H and take a steer to the county fair.

My steer’s name is Charlie and he is very gentle. His breed is Hereford Angus Limousin. I wanted to show a steer because I like cows and a lot of my family does it so I wanted to try it too.

I got Charlie from my Grandpa’s ranch in Oakley. I picked him out in December and then he came to our place in March. For the first few months, I just took care of him by feeding him grain and hay.

At the first of July, we started wetting him down and brushing his hair every night. Once a week, we gave him a full body wash. I also started walking him around and setting him up with a show stick. Then we started blowing his hair in August. I also have a spare steer named Buddy, but I’m not going to take him to the fair.

Our county fair starts this week. On Monday, we cleaned out our beef barn at the fairgrounds, spread out sawdust for the steers to lay on, and put decorations up.

I also have a cooking project that my mom teaches. I made Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies. They were delicious. I can’t wait to see what ribbon I get!

I’m excited and a little nervous about this week. I’m going to write a little each day about my experiences. I hope you like reading about my week at the fair!

We’re excited to share posts this week from a little guest blogger. Please check back daily to read more about Sadie’s adventures at her first county fair. So many life lessons occur when children have the responsibility of taking care of an animal. And talk about the family memories

With Labor Day quickly approaching, we thought we’d share another beef recipe. And rest assured, Idaho’s ranching and cattle feeding families are always working hard to bring you healthy and delicious beef for you to enjoy!

Here is a quick and easy carne asada recipe. We love how simple it is and lets the wonderful taste of beef shine through. Cumin gives it a smoky flavor and who can argue with the combo of garlic and lime?!

This is really versatile too and can be used with any cut for grilling. Slice it thin and serve over rice or in a homemade tortilla.

Wishing you a Happy and Safe Labor Day Weekend!