The Yellowhead 4-H Club had its first showcase day on Saturday Aug. 10, at the North Thompson Fall Fair grounds in Barriere.
Showcase Day gave each project group the opportunity to demonstrate and describe how to show in the show ring. Other topics included safety, feeding, finished weights and clipping. All projects were presented which were beef, sheep, horse, goat, small engine, rabbit / cavy, and photography.
Club members arrived at the fairgrounds before 9:00 a.m. To start the day, we were given our show shirts and had a club photo taken. Beef was first up to show. Members walked their animals around the ring, and we saw how beef animals are set up for judging.
Sheep were the next to show. They also walked around the ring and showed us how to set up for the judge. Did you know that it is mandatory to have the halter off when showing sheep in the ring?
Horse members did a short presentation on how to be safe around a horse. Then they showed us a short showmanship demonstration where a member had to ride a specific pattern around the ring.
Goat members showed how to line up for the judge. Some members had pack goats and showed us how they need to go through an obstacle course. We also saw a demonstration on milking dairy goats by hand.
All members enjoyed a potluck lunch with hamburgers provided by the club.
Small engine is new to our club this year. We learned that a small engine project could be repairing a two-stroke engine or a four-stroke engine. For showmanship, small engine members need to make a display board describing the steps needed to repair their engine.
In the rabbit barn each rabbit/cavy member had their project for us to see. They all participated in a showmanship class where the cleanliness and condition of the rabbit is judged as well as the member’s knowledge about their project.
The photo project group showed us how the sale photos are shown in the ring. A showmanship class was presented. Each member needs to create a display board with their unit work photos. Then the judge asks them questions about their equipment and knowledge of photography.
Club members will be preparing for the North Thompson Fall Fair on Labour Day long weekend. Following this, they will show their projects at B.C. Agriculture Exposition taking place from Sept. 20-23 at the Fall Fair grounds in Barriere. All projects will be there, and sheep, beef, goat, small engine and photography will have projects that are auctioned off. Come out and support local 4-H youth.
