Sisters 4-Hers shine at fairgrounds

Outside, it was all fun and games. Inside the animal barns, it was all business. As record numbers of Deschutes County Fairgoers delighted in the myriad thrilling rides, some with lines requiring a 20-minute wait, members of the Cloverdale Livestock Club were at work garnering scores of ribbons.

Young Conner Cyrus, for example, scored 17 ribbons over the weekend.

4-H is not complicated to its members, but is complex especially to outsiders. In sheep alone there are competitions in breed, production, market, and showmanship. And that’s the live animal. There’s also the wool.

Cyrus’ specialty is Class 771 700 040 — Born and Bred Breeding, which refers to sheep that have been born on his property. He must also have owned at least the mother of the offspring. He entered and earned ribbons in other classes too. By Saturday afternoon, his stall wall was covered in awards.

He didn’t seem as pleased with his ribbons as he did with his animals, particularly his Supreme ram Stanley. Cyrus explained the intricacies and dedication to breeding and competition to visitors and The Nugget when we took in the Fair.

These kids work hard from early in the morning into the evening hours. Take last Friday’s schedule for example starting at 7:30 a.m. in the beef ring with an exhibitors meeting. At 8:30 it was flock judging and sheep production class; 9 a.m. was swine production. And so it went.

There are times for the lighter side of animal husbandry such as the 3 p.m. goat costume contest or the Cupcake Wars. The beef obstacle course was at 4 p.m. On Thursday night, the last event started at 7:30 p.m. – Small Animal Master Showmanship. As fairgoers were flagging from the hot sun, stomach-turning rides, and food comas from the vast array of truck cuisine, Cloverdale Livestock Club youth were still working.

When not in the ring, they were feeding, watering, grooming, mucking, and strategizing. They were every bit as happy as their schoolmates lapping up Ferris wheels — two, Zipper, merry-go-round, Vertigo, or Orbiter at the carnival outside.

Brothers Joel (11) and Kyson McAuley (10) earned more than a handful of ribbons in the goat category. They were all smiles with their goats’ performance giving as much credit to the animals as themselves. Joel was a Production Champion with his junior doe Maru.

Kyson received both Champion and Reserve Champion with his 3-year-old doe, Milly. He also took Reserve Champion with doe Pondo, in 2-month-old production. Both goats are Nigerian dwarfs. Both boys received blue ribbons for their goat soap.

The Club had a banner week of awardees with a number of champion recognitions. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion are awarded when there is a minimum of two levels (divisions) of exhibits and a minimum of five project exhibits in each of the two levels (divisions). Champion is the best in the division/level. It is chosen from projects awarded Honor.

Reserve Champion is second best in the division/level. It is chosen from projects awarded an Honor, namely Blue Ribbon projects that exhibit excellence in skill level expectations and meet all project requirements.

Winners included: Henry Colter Habein: Reserve Champion Senior Beef and in Showman, Reserve Overall Grand Champion Beef, Reserve Champion 4-H Beef Steer and Third Overall Champion Steer; Sister Cora, with Champion Senior Beef Showman, Overall Grand Champion Beef Showman, Champion Angus Female, Champion Hereford Female, Champion Crossbred Female, and Reserve Supreme Breeding Female.