Animals always come first

Good morning.

On Wednesday, we started off by feeding and watering our animals at the house.

For most members in 4-H, they not only have to care for what they have at the fair, but they also have to take care of animals they have at home.

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Once that was completed, it was off to the fairgrounds to get our auction pictures taken. But first, we had to feed and water all of our animals there.

After we finished that, it was time to change clothes for our pictures. All 4-H’ers selling an animal at the auction Saturday get their picture taken with their auction animal. Whoever wins the bid on the animal Saturday will receive the animal and a copy of the picture.

Once we had our pictures out of the way, it was on to the sheep barn to get our sheep ready for the show that evening. I started by washing my yearling ewe, Elsa. After she was nice and clean, Dad and I finished trimming her.

Only four more to go, and boy, was it getting hot. Dad checked the weather, and it said that it felt like 114 degrees, and I would have to agree. I continued washing my other two lambs with the help of my friend, Kirstie.

Once my three were done, I went to check on the other animals to make sure they had plenty of water, while Dad helped Conner get his lambs ready. The last sheep was finished, and we had about 10 minutes until showtime, just enough time to go change into our show clothes.

Although my lambs did not place as well as I would have liked, I still had fun.

In showmanship, I was able to advance to the final round of the junior showmanship class.

Conner did very well. His market lamb placed first in the lightweight market division. You should have seen the smile on his face. He also won reserve champion rookie showmanship. Everyone in the show arena worked hard with their sheep. Good job.

After the open sheep show was over, we helped clean the show arena so it would be ready for Thursday. We then went and fed and watered all of our animals, and it was time to head home. Thursday, I got to sleep in. I couldn’t wait for that.

Your 4-H Friend,

Allison Wynn

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Name: Allison Wynn

Age: 12

Residence: Freetown

Education: Seventh-grader at Brownstown Central Middle School in the fall

Organizations: 4-H, youth softball league

Family: Parents, Jason and Amy Wynn; siblings, Conner, 9, Maggie, 4, and another sister on the way

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