Sheep Showing Finale

After three full months of sheep showing the grandchildren concluded their circuit with the finale in Webster City on Saturday and Sunday. Two final shows and a bit of celebration took place in long days of competition with a full range of youth participating. The kids enrolled last winter and attended as many shows as they wanted to or were able to during the summer. It takes dedication and drive by the youth and equally by the parents or grandparents because it is a lot of work.

All four of our participating grandchildren received awards for their dedication and accomplishments. But the true awards were the skills they learned and developed over the summer and the friends they made. For 15-year-old Calvin, his maturity led to learning the feeding regiment and how to shear and do the final preparations on the lambs before a show. He became a pro at lamb readying and showmanship. Next, is Payton, 10, who took her showmanship to another level this year, without a halter. She too helps with lots of the prepping of the lambs and became a young expert in judging. Eight-year-old Bailey improved her showmanship considerably this year, winning several showmanship contests, like Calvin and Paige. Four-year-old Graham gained confidence and developed the smile of a winner. He worked very hard at practicing leading his lamb, Blake Shelton, and Blake won Graham several shows.

It was especially fun to have Paige along for the finale as she usually is busy with rodeos. She enjoyed the competition and the time with her brother and dad. The grandchildren are workers and know what needs to be done before it is asked of them. We couldn't be prouder of their efforts in every aspect of their lives. Piper, age two, is already making plans to be a sheep showman as well and it probably won't be long.

"You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas" (Psalm 8:6-8 NIV).