Showstring successes!

Whew - it's been just over a month since we've began our 2009 show season - and we've had our share of victories and defeats! Here's a quick re-cap of what our hardworking 4-H kids have been up to. First, let's meet our crew.

Marcy McNichols - is our resident "senior" 4-Her. She will be a sophomore at North Dakota State University in the Fall majoring Agricultural Business. When she's not showing cattle, Marcy enjoys shooting sports, and shootin' the breeze. This summer she and her family traveled to Germany to visit a foreign exchange student they hosted.

Courtney Johnson - will be a senior at Hill City High School in the fall. Newest to the showteam, Courtney is a happy-go-lucky young lady who has diverse interests in small animals, health and journalism. Last year she was a one-woman-show for the school newspaper and yearbook!

Emily Rassmussen - known for her dual-skills in horsemanship and cattle, Emily is exhibiting her very own steer in addition to breeding females this year. While there's much to learn about raising and showing steers, Emily's feels proud to have "one of her own" on the string. In the fall, Emily will be a Junior at Grand Rapids High School.

Hannah Rassmussen - here's our cowgirl in training. Though not officially leasing 4-H projects yet, she competed in her first show at the Aitkin County 4-H Fun Show. Hannah is a bright, inquisitive 10 year old who has unrivaled success with her pony. When she's 12, she'd like to become an official member of the showteam.

July 11, 2009 - Aitkin County 4-H Fun Show, Aitkin, MN
Showmanship successes were the highlight of this one-day event! Hannah, in her first show, earned champion Junior Showman with her big, easy going heifer. Cortney, Emily and Marcy were all called back for the Senior Showmanship contest, and Marcy was named champion (her first such honor!). The animals were all well behave, except Double D - Emily's steer - was a bit freaked out.

In the classes, we did well, also. 0811 placed second, followed by 0806 and 0819 in a class of 6. 0846 won her class, but didn't earn any additional honors. The steer placed 4th out of 8 in the unfinished steer contest.

July 13-16 - Red River Valley Fair, West Fargo, ND
This event comprises three different shows: Regional Red Angus Show, Open Red Angus Show and Mel Kirkide Youth Show - which is great to get a different perspective on what your cattle can do. We were on both extremes - near the bottom and at the top throughout the event. What was most memorable though was the fun Alaina and the girls had - especially on Wednesday night when Jack and Becky joined the fun for go-kart racing!

July 31-Aug. 2 - North St. Louis County Fair, Chisholm, MN
Jack and the girls brought a full trailer load to the county fair. A neighboring county, we've brought cattle here for 20 years and feels like a second home. With 4 heifers, 3 cow-calf pairs and 1 steer, it was a tight fit to get to the event. But once, hay and straw was provided for all exhibitors. Through pouring rain, the team showed quite well, sweeping nearly every competition. Champion Female was #12 and her calf; Champion Bull was #117's bull calf. The steer won it's class of 3, also. You'll note the yearling heifer class was jumbled as 0819 is coming on strong, placing: 0811, 0819, 0846 and 0806.

We've got a 2.5 week break before the Itasca County Fair - our hometown crowd and extravaganza!