County Fair Results
Jake showing Sugar, his heifer.
Our family had a great time at the 2010 Grimes County Fair. It was the first time that our children completed and showed animal projects for the fair. In addition to caring for the animals we raise here at home, the travel and stay at the fairgrounds consumed our week. We were extremely busy.
Jake showed a heifer. He worked so hard with her especially the weeks leading up to the show. She was in great condition. I think Jake is a natural showman. He did so well with his heifer in the show ring and even did well competing for showmanship. His heifer won 1st place in her class.
Kyla learned so much about showing goats. She learned how to drench her goat and set him up. She also did a great job in the show ring. Her goat did not do as well as we would have liked. He got 10th place. More importantly for us, he made the freezer sale. So she was able to make some money by selling him. We had so much help getting the goat to the show ring and we want to thank everyone who helped us.
Kyla and Marley the goat in the show ring.
Both Kyla and Jake won various ribbons in the Creative Arts competition. They entered art work, photography, jewelry, and food. Jake had made me a set of jewelry for Mother’s Day. It got 1st place in the jewelry division and was sold during the Premium Sale. He owes me another identical set.
Kyla came home from the fair $565.00 richer. Jake made almost $100.00 from prize money and sales. They are planning to invest their money into next year’s projects in the hopes of making more money. It is for the future education, whatever that might be.
I love how the county comes out to support the youth in the community. Prices were a little down from past years because of the economy, but the hard work from the 4-H and FFA projects was paying off.
People also supported the rodeos hosted at the fairgrounds. On Saturday and Sunday nights, people filled the stands and stood around the arena watching both the local cowboys and those who traveled to participate in the events.
The Posse performs a drill pattern in honor of POWs.
My oldest three children are members of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Mounted Posse. They were asked to perform in the opening ceremonies before each rodeo. They did a great job! It was such a patriotic routine in honor of the POWs. It made you so proud to be an American. They performed to Toby Keith’s, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.”
The Bull Buck-Out hosted at the fairgrounds on the last Saturday of the fair signals the end of all the activities. Before the semi-professional and professional cowboys attempt to ride bulls for a minimum of eight seconds, the youngsters are given a chance to compete in several rodeo events.
Isaac before he competes in the Stick Horse event.
Isaac competed in the Stick Horse event. Small cowboys and cowgirls ride their stick horses in the arena competing for a belt buckle. Isaac did a great job and came home with a trophy. He was fun to watch.
Then they hold the Mutton Bustin’, which is when children ride sheep for as long as they can. This was the first year that riders were required to wear helmets. My dad used to say, “Well we raise them tough in Grimes County,” because no one wore any safety protection. Jake is our veteran mutton buster, but he is too old now.
For the older cowboys in the area, children 12-18 can choose to ride steers. I get really anxious in the Steer Riding events and I don’t have anyone competing. I was really impressed with this year’s riders. Almost everyone rode the full 6 seconds required. There was stiff competition for the belt buckle.
It was a great, but extremely busy week. We were so happy when the last event took place and life could return to normal. Now my kids are looking forward to next year. They are already talking about which animals they are going to raise and projects they want to do.
Jake's jewelry
