A brag post...

FallRiverGuy · 08-04-2003, 09:45 AM

about my daughter.

Last year was Jill�s first year in 4-H at the age of eleven. She raised her first lamb at the 4-H leader�s house, which is just down the street. Her lamb, Twister, was a real troublemaker and pretty must had his way with Jill as she weighted just over 50 lbs while the lamb weight over twice that at 120 lbs.

Jill was covered in bruises as Twister was in the habit of pushing her into walls, posts and any other structure in range. Needless to say that Jill�s first experience at showmanship at the fair was a disaster. She cried for 20 minutes after from frustration and embarrassment.

This year she again chose to raise a market lamb to show at the fair. Her lamb was smaller than last years only weighting in at 107 lb and she has become a real heavy weight at 62 lbs. She named this lamb Fudge choosing a more docile sounding name, though her other club members nicknamed the animal Kamikaze! To her credit Jill has spent the summer working hard with Fudge determined to do better this year in showmanship even though Fudge was somewhat brutish.

The Deschutes county fair was this past weekend. Jill showed on Friday. I don�t know who was more nervous Jill or Dad. I know that I said more than one prayer that Fudge would behave at least once. I tied to say some sage words of advice to Jill just prior to her entering the ring in hopes of lessening her nervousness, and the reply I got was, �shhh Dad, not now!� As much as I did not want to think about the possibility, the thought that the ornery lamb would feed off of Jill�s nervousness and this year would end in tears too rolled around in my head.

As Jill entered the ring with the other junior showmen, I was very surprised to see Fudge walking calmly. I found myself holding my breath wondering if this lamb would continue in its calm ways. To my great relief the lamb did stay calm and Jill showed great poise in the ring. She was awarded a blue ribbon and invited back for the Championship round with all the top junior showmen.

An hour later Jill was back in the ring with the 12 top junior showmen from all the classes. I worried anew that Fudge would act up and embarrass Jill. Again, to my great relief the lamb behaved and Jill once again showed great poise and was making minor adjustments as suggest by her 4-H leader. She was showing better than in the first round. Soon I found myself wondering if she was going to place in this championship round.

Finally the judge pull aside one of Jill�s fellow club members (her best friend), another girl and Jill! My stomach was in knots by now as Jill had a chance to place. The Grand champion junior showmanship award went to Jill�s best friend. The judge pointed out that the two remaining girls were both very good and it was a toss up between the two. He talked for about 3 minutes trying to decide who would be reserve Grand Champion. Finally, he announced that this young lady would be his reserve Grand Champion and pointed at Jill.
Jill�s eyes flew wide open in shock as the realization of her accomplishment sunk in. This was follow by the biggest smile I have ever seen. The smile seemed to begin in her toes and upwelled until it burst out of her face. That look and smile is one that I will never forget. I don�t think her feet touch the ground as she left the ring as she was walking on air in excitement. She also showed in the overall Championship class with intermediates and seniors. The older more experienced showmen won, but Jill fit right in with the more experienced people.

I am so proud of the way she conducted herself and worked so hard to do better this year. What a difference a year makes. She is already talking about getting a lamb for next year.

Thanks for letting me share this with you

[ 08-05-2003, 07:30 AM: Message edited by: FallRiverGuy ]

Cool Texan · 08-04-2003, 10:47 AM

Congratulations for Jill!! That sounds like an awesome accomplishment.

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

wannacatchem · 08-04-2003, 10:59 AM

Congrats....to her and to you. I, too, was a 4h'er and looking back, think it taught me a few things.

salmurai · 08-04-2003, 09:22 PM

Congratulations DAD!!! Pass it on to Jill. Sounds like you're both doing a great job!...sal

larryb · 08-04-2003, 09:50 PM

way to go... boy that brings back memories

willametteriveroutlaw · 08-04-2003, 10:05 PM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Thumper · 08-04-2003, 11:53 PM

What a great story of perserverance. Wahoo!

LCFisherlady · 08-05-2003, 05:40 AM

There is absolutely nothing more thrilling than to watch you child succeed and do well...Tell her congratulations and keep up the great work.
Judy

FallRiverGuy · 08-05-2003, 06:32 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll pass on the congratulations to her.

willierower · 08-05-2003, 07:18 AM

:grin: [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

pdxkevin · 08-05-2003, 07:36 AM

Congrats, Jill. Way to go. All the hard work determination has paid off. You did a great job.

Cool Texan · 08-05-2003, 07:47 AM

When's the BBQ?

:shocked:

:grin:

bassin · 08-05-2003, 07:53 AM

Congrats, Jill. My girl, Megans in 4 H also. Only with Horses.
Dad I feel your pain and your Joy.

FallRiverGuy · 08-05-2003, 07:56 AM

All the market animals are auctioned off and sent away so we don't get the BBQ. It really is remarkable how the local business community supports these 4-H and FFA kids. I calculated that the buyers spent almost $70,000 just purchasing the market lambs. That does not include the steers, hogs and goats. I would not be surprised of over $200,000 is spent in a few short hours during the auction.

[ 08-05-2003, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: FallRiverGuy ]