From One Fair To The Next

8/7/2017

We moved out of the Knox County Fair, spent 2 days trying to catch up at home, and then moved right in to The Ohio State Fair.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks.

But...

Nothing ventured...

Nothing gained.

We had a great group of core breeders from all across the state of Ohio.

Even though we are only at the fair for two days, it is relaxed enough that we are all able to sit around and catch up.

This year, we were able to get to talk with some breeders that we "know", but didn't really know that well.
We have built a lot of really good friendships from this cattle showing business, and we always count it a privilege to add new friends to that list.

There are some amazing people in this cattle world.

Monday night was the junior show. Since this is not yet an officially sanctioned show, the State Fair office puts together a less formal junior show for us.

It is always a lot of fun, gives the kids some extra practice and everyone walks away with a great prize.

We are so thankful for Kidwell Farms and their sponsorship of the junior show.

Each kid walked away with a bucket full of show supplies and the Grand and Reserve Champions received a fitting mat.

For the junior show, Bee and Amber were once again showing head-to-head.

Isaac won Grand Champion with Amber and JT Popick won Reserve Grand Champion with Bee.

Tuesday morning we were up bright and early to get ready for the open show.

Remind us next year to NOT take 7 head to the fair.

It is way too much work...especially when you are on week 2 of the fair.

This show may not be as big as some we attend, but that doesn't mean it was an easy show.

The level of competition just keeps getting better and better.

There are never any guarantees in the show ring.

There is an intensity...

And competitiveness that requires your "A" game.

Because, that Grand Champion handshake doesn't come easily.

Yes, Walker won Grand Champion Heifer with TAC SAMANTHAS TUFF CHARITY TEH!

The boys worked so hard this year and both Charity and Amber were at peak performance.

We were hoping and praying that we would win a buckle this year...

But we had no idea that we even had a chance to win two.

Isaac won Reserve Grand Champion with Amber.

If you know anything about Isaac, you know that Amber is his pride and joy. He spent his whole show career saving money to buy his own Miniature Hereford and start his own herd.

Amber is the first calf out of that first cow he purchased. He has loved her wholeheartedly since the moment she was born. It has never mattered to him what the judges say about her, because to him, she is the best!

Winning that buckle is confirmation for him that she is as good as he has always believed.

It was an amazing two days for our family...

But we never do this alone.

The boys had convinced us that we needed to take 2 cow/calf pairs.

Great in theory...but not actuality.

Turns out...we didn't have enough people to show.

The boys recruited two friends they show with at the Knox County Fair.

Cowboy is only about 6 weeks old, so he still doesn't like to cooperate very well on the halter.

The girls were great sports and just started winging it. Isaac, Walker, Jessie and Cassie had a great time and were smiling the whole time.

It didn't matter that they didn't win...they won everyone's hearts.

We have some amazing sponsors!

The open show was sponsored by The Miniature Hereford Breeders Association, Heritage Show Supply, Doug Marine Motors and MG Energy.

This show would not happen without them!

Our sponsors even made it possible for this lucky couple to win a new blower!

These two....

They are how this whole adventure happens.

They love to show...and it shows.

They work tirelessly and don't stop until the work is all done.

They are a great fitting team...and somehow manage to get everyone into the ring on time.

Where one is weak...the other is strong.

Everyone jokes about our "crew", but we are so fortunate to have this group of people who want to be a part of this circus with us.

This marks the end of show season for us.

The cows are all home and out to pasture.

The next adventure...

Louisville!

This is Us - our life, our story, our farm