Gold Buckle Horse Project Member, Haley Gribbin, rides to success in Buck Branch Heritage Winter Show

Haley Gribbin, who trains with John Beriault at North Star Farms in Poetry is having the time of her life as she switches disciplines from Western to English.  Haley and her paint mare, Cici, competed at the Buck Branch Heritage Winter Show on January 15, 2012 and did great.  She was awarded;
2nd place - Division 1 Equitation Walk/Trot

3rd place - Division 1 Open Pleasure Walk/Trot

5th place - Division 1 Walk/Trot Over Poles  

3rd place- Division 1 Walk//Trot Over Poles 2

Look for Haley to post her way into the winners circle this spring as show season gets into full swing.

4-H Recordbook Seminar

On February 7th, Rockwall County 4-H hosted a Recordbook training with instructor, Derrick Bruton.  Mr. Bruton is the District 4 4-H Specialist and co author of the new system.  He detailed how the record keeping process worked with the new concept and shared insight on how to get started.  25 people from the Rockwall County 4-H family joined in to learn about the new process.

You can find out more about the process and how to get started by logging on to  4hreports.com   There is instructional videos that will walk you through the process.
 

Taking Pictures Isn't Always Fun and Games

After the show, some exhibitors choose to have pictures made with their projects.  Here is a good example of  what can go on during the photo opp.  As the exhibitor you are tired;  the animal is tired,  so cooperation may be a challenge.  Here the whole Merritt family gets involved for one picture.  Cale is set for the picture to be taken.  Callie, Dad, and Uncle Craig are all trying to get the Gilt in place.  Mom was gracious enough to document the activity.   So after several minutes of trying, the photographer was able to get two shots to choose from. 

San Antonio Livestock Exposition is in Full Swing

The 2nd stop in the winter stock show circuit is San Antonio Livestock Exposition.  It started last week and offers a wide variety of opportunities for youth and adults alike.  There are breeding and market shows for the youngsters, horse shows, judging competitions as well as many other onsite learning opportunities.  For the adults there are open breeding stock exhibitions and competitions.  I just returned from the junior breeding hog show.  The Merritt family had three gilts entered in the show.  Cale - 4-H member took 2nd place in her class of Duroc gilts.  Sister Callie - FFA member won first place with her Yorkshire gilt.  She also stood first place with her Spot Gilt and then went on to win Reserve Champion Spot Female with Sassy.  Congratulations to each sister and to the entire family for a super exhibition.   

Here's Mom capturing everything with pictures.  She takes about 300 shots at each major show.

4-Hers Have Great Learning Experience at Southwestern Livestock Show in Fort Worth

The stock show at Fort Worth has been going on for two weeks and is now in its final week offering experience for youth and adults alike.  From Rockwall County there were participants in the open breeding swine show, open breeding beef show, junior breeding beef show, junior market goat show, and junior market steer show.  Cale Merritt, Rockwall County 4-Her won first place with her Duroc Gilt.  She also had several other gilts that placed well.  Below is Cale following her first place win.

Cale returned to the show ring later that same day and took the showmanship honors winning a trophy belt buckle.

During the youth breeding beef heifer show, two 4-Hers exhibited their skills and knowledge in the ring with their heifers.  Tanner Howey took 3rd place with his Angus heifer, Turkey Leg.  Ethan Spearman won 7th place in his class with his Shorthorn heifer Annie.

Three 4-Hers competed in the Junior Market Goat Division.  Ashlyn Stembridge took 14th place out of a class of 71 competitors.  Also competing were Anna Schieberle with her light weight goat and Kylee Adams with her heavy weight - Snickers.

Below is Snickers investing all the "stuff that goes to the shows. 

Congratulations to everyone.  Stock Shows provide a great opportunity for all family members to learn more about the world of agriculture, share experiences with friends new and old, and to share family experiences.