what country kids do for fun 3

Clackamas County 4-H Livestock Field Day/ Master Showmanship Clinic, July 31, Sandy, OR

4-H livestock showmen from Clackamas county gathered Sunday in Sandy at the farm of a 4-H leader from the Sandy Livestock Club, to learn about showing all 9 species of animals they will show at the Master Showmanship competition at fair. Only those who win showmanship in their age division will get to go on to compete for the Master Showmanship buckles, but it is a coveted title worthy of spending a day in practice in case they get such an opportunity. Master Showmanship also includes a written test with 10 questions per species to assess the showman's knowledge of each animal, so the kids did a quiz bowl at lunch of questions they might face on that test.

Morgan, Jessica & Catherine participated in the showmanship clinic. They wore score cards around their neck and the highest scorers got to pick from the prize table first at the end of the day. The prize table was full of donated show equipment, clothing, boots, etc. Jess There was probably 40 kids and Jess placed in the top 5 or so. She had 6 perfect tens on her scorecard, and 79 out of 90 possible. Morgan was close with a 75, doing very well as the Champion Junior Master Showman of Marion county. Catherine had a great time and was a fearless little showman handling the big cows with no apprehension. I asked her about that picture of her with the lamb where she was looking down at it with such a loving gaze. She said she did kiss that lamb it was so cute. She didn't want prizes as much as she wanted to take the animals home. The 3 girls got some good prizes: a rubber feed pan, rope halter and neck rope, nylon goat halters, livestock shampoo, candy bars, show shirts and jeans.

The boys stayed home today, went to church, ran errands, cleaned toilets {I know, I'm a lucky one--what a surprise}, froze marionberries, napped, watched sports, made homemade ice cream, strung pole beans and worked in the garden.