Clay County Fair

Well, I think I am finally catching up!! This particular appearance is a little out of order, but I didn't have the pictures ready to post, so I am writing about it now. September 13 was the day that I got to relish in my farm upbringing! Every year, for over 60 years, the Johnson family has shown their family Herefords at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa. I am not sure exactly how many years it is, but I am sure one of them will let me know as soon as they read this! ;-) I actually became a part of their tradition many years ago, 16 years, if memory serves me correct! I grew up showing Dairy (Holsteins) cattle, so the whole concept of walking forward to lead your animal was a little foreign to me, but I caught on quickly. Back in the day, there was a lot more preparations to be done with the animals. I remember fluffing their tails and spraying them into a ball shape and going all out on curling the hair on their bodies. Now-a-days we just wash them real well, have a friend clip them where needed and comb the hair up on their bodies to give them more curl. Most of you probably don't know much about Hereford cattle, so the whole "curling their hair" thing is probably making you scratch your head! They are one of the few breeds left that genetically have longer hair. It protects them in both summer and winter. That's just one of the many traits that make them such a great beef animal. Herefords are one of the most self-sufficient beef cattle you will ever find. They practically take care of themselves. They are low maintanence and easy keepers, with laid back temperments. They are a joy to be around (except some new mom's), even the bulls! Over the years I have tried to discern what the judges are looking for, but I am so used to showing & judging dairy, that I am almost always wrong! This year was no exception.
Things were a little different for me this year. Instead of helping to show the cattle, I had the honor of handing out the ribbons to all the exhibitors, with the occassional help of the Hereford Princess...who also happened to be showing some cattle, too! We both had dual roles; she was not only the Hereford Princess, but also one of the showman. As for me, I was Mrs. Iowa, as well as the "official" photographer for the Johnson family! I am grateful that my, hopefully soon to be sister-in-law, Amy was there to help out with Wyatt. She kept him occupied and entertained through-out the entire show. The show lasted right around 3 hours or so. In the end, we walked away with the Premier Breeder Award and the Premier Exhibitor Award. As for how they determine these awards, I am not entirely sure, but I think with the Premier Exhibitor Award it is the exhibitor with the most points at the end of the show. My understanding is that for each class you enter, you get a certain "score" for your placing in the class. In the end, it is whoever has accumulated the most points, that wins! I really have no clue how they determine the Premier Breeder Award. That, you would have to ask my father-in-law, Jack, about. All in all, the day was a great day. We even got a professional family picture taken with the 3 year old bull. Lynne, my mother-in-law, will be using that as their Christmas card this year. I can't wait to see it!
I almost forgot to mention!!!....Both Caisha and Zach helped show this year again. That is them in most of the pictures. They love to help out and get involved.