From left to right: Little Blue and Lily Sparks, Trixie and Madison Bradford, Hope and Mikayla Little. Photo by Carly Winchell
Three Qualify for State in Showmanship at Chaffee County Fair 4-H Dog Show
Mikayla Little and Hope demonstrate sitting on the first course. Photo by Carly Winchell
Three young competitors and their canine partners gathered at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 for tests of obedience, showmanship, and agility in the 4-H dog show. At the end of the evening, all three girls qualified for State in Showmanship, with Mikayla Little and dog Hope taking the title of Overall Grand Champion.
More than 40 people came to watch competitors Mikayla Little, Lily Sparks, and Madison Bradford as they demonstrated training and discipline with their canine partners. The first challenge was to walk the dogs through a course, following signs set up on the ground to indicate what they should be doing, such as proceeding at a slow pace, halting, doing an about turn, or going through a figure eight.
Next up came showmanship where each competitor leads their dog around the ring at a trot before presenting them to the judge who inspects the animal. Obedience was the next hurdle as the dogs were led through a series of commands, such as heel, sit, fast, normal, about, slow, halt, and sit-stay.
After each challenge, the judges offered advice to the girls, at one point reminding them to always keep the leash in hand. Little, Sparks, and Bradford were attentive, polite, and friendly throughout the show. Trixie seemed resistant to sitting, but Bradford performed admirably, remaining firm and confident despite Trixie’s distaste for that particular command. At one point Little Blue broke off from the ring, deciding to jump up on stage to say hello to some attendees before Sparks deftly led her back on track.
Lily Sparks and Little Blue run through the A-frame on the agility course. Photo by Carly Winchell
The next portion of the show had everyone headed outside for a “gambler’s choice” run at the agility course. Each pair had five minutes to tackle obstacles of their choice, which included a teeter-totter, tire jump, tunnel, weave poles, A-frame, dog walk, and bar jumps.
They had a chance to run through the course before the agility competition began to strategically plan out the best route and determine which obstacles would be fair game for their run.
Luckily the outside section of the show finished just before rain broke through the clouds and everyone headed back inside for the awards.
The final standings were:
Overall Grand Champion: Mikayla Little and Hope
Overall Reserve Champion: Lily Sparks and Little Blue
Grand Champion Senior Showman: Mikayla Little and Hope
Reserve Champion Senior Showman: Madison Bradford and Trixie
Grand Champion Junior Showman: Lily Sparks and Little Blue
Madison Bradford and Trixie tackle the teeter-totter on the agility course. Photo by Carly Winchell
Remaining Chaffee County Fair Events
If you haven’t had a chance to head to the fair yet, don’t worry. There are plenty of events still remaining.
Here is a breakdown of the schedule for the remaining days of the fair:
From left to right: Madison Bradford and Trixie, Lily Sparks and Little Blue, Mikayla Little and Hope. Photo by Carly Winchell
Thursday, July 27 (Today is Seniors’ Day)
8:00 a.m. 4-H Swine Show
11:30 a.m. 4-H Goat Show and Sheep Show
12:30 p.m. Open Peewee Show
4:00 p.m. Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry
5:00 p.m. 4-H Beef Show
7:00 p.m. Open Beef and Pen of 3 Show, Poker Tournament and Darts
Friday, July 28
9:00 a.m. 4-H Round Robin
11:00 a.m. Adult Round Robin
1:30 p.m. Garden Tractor Race
5:30 p.m. 4-H Awards
6:00 p.m. Junior Market Livestock Sale
9:00 p.m. Adam Ashley Band
Saturday, July 29 (Kid Fun Day)
9:00 a.m. Stock Dog Demonstration
10:00 a.m. Horseshoe Pitching (Singles and Doubles), Sawdust Pile with $$$ coins
10:30 a.m. Catch a Pig Contest for age groups four and five, six and seven, and eight to ten.
11:00 a.m. Antique Tractor Pull, Queen for a Day, Rodeo Clown for a Day, Stick Horse Rodeo, Frozen T-Shirt Contest, Corn Challenge, Marble Challenge
12:00 noon Garden Tractor Race “Tractors Provided,” Tack Sale
1:00 p.m. .22 Shooting Trailer “Guns Provided”
2:00 p.m. Hot Dog Eating Contest
6:30 p.m. Grand Entry, Mountain States Ranch Rodeo & Calcutta
9:00 p.m. Jason Wulf Band
Sunday, July 30
10:00 a.m. Cowboy Church Service (Grand Stands), Archery Contest, Melon Eating Contest
11:30 a.m. Catch a Pig Contest for age groups four and five, six and seven, and eight to ten.
1:00 p.m. Circle 3 Gymkhana
3:30 p.m. 4-H and Open Class Exhibits Release, 4-H Animal Exhibit Release
5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes (all exhibits must be picked up)
A virtual guide to the fair is available online here.
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