Any One Show 4-H Pygmy of Sheep, Clover Level?

[beccachow]

My DD, 6, was at the local Fair last night and started talking to the 4H folks. Turns out, she could show any of the goats/1 sheep we already have in showmanship. I am already pretty stretched thin, but the time commitment to actually have 4H meetings is only one day per month and very close to home, I can swing that if I choose to. I think this *might* be a way to get her feet wet without having to invest money, since we already have two pygmy's (maybe 3 years old). We also have Sammy Sheep, who WAS a 4H competitor in the day, though he is older as well (4 or 5, perhaps). Any of these guys are eligible for her to show in showmanship only class, right?

SO the question: the idea is that the animal needs to be responsive to DD, but other than that, no real "requirements" for him/her? As in, no papers etc are needed? He doesn't have to be top-of-the-line, does he? I am assuming it is all about DD, her presentation and interaction with the animal with very little to do with the animal itself, conformation etc doesn't have to be perfect? Can any one explain what is needed from the goat/sheep and what is needed from her? I would like the low-down and dirty from my goatie friends as I make my decision. Are judges more PARTIAL to papered, though they shouldn't be (kiind of like the Poodle always wins the dog show because the judges like Poodles)?

I haven't decided yet if I am going to persue this, as it is yet another time commitment on me, but it IS one that I could do WITH DD and I would get some goatie time and I would enjoy helping her with the training, etc. Or I could just use Sammy, who already walks in a collar.

[houndlover]

Personally, I think cloverbuds should stick with small animals. 4H is more than showing a fancy animal and getting the blue ribbon. The kid is supposed to be 100% responsible for the care of the animal, and know as much as possible about it's parts, inside and out, its feed and care. In our county, cloverbuds aren't allowed to use large animals, only small, even a cat. I would suggest getting your feet wet with a small breed rabbit or one of your pets. I've seen pygmies and sheep drag 9 and 10 yr olds around the ring. As for what kind of animal, every county fair is going to be different. Talk to the people in YOUR county.

[MDKatie]

Sheep are shown with no halters or collars, so I think I'd try with one of the pygmies first. Plus, goats are easier to clip than sheep are to shear (unless you've already got the right shears). And yes, the showmanship classes are focused on the showman and how well he/she handles and prepares the animal. I think she'd do fine with a goat! My 8 yr old stepson just showed our Oberhasli kid in the fair this week, his first show, and he loved it! Just remember to practice a LOT before going to the fair. :-)

[beccachow]

Originally Posted by houndlover

Personally, I think cloverbuds should stick with small animals. 4H is more than showing a fancy animal and getting the blue ribbon. The kid is supposed to be 100% responsible for the care of the animal, and know as much as possible about it's parts, inside and out, its feed and care. In our county, cloverbuds aren't allowed to use large animals, only small, even a cat. I would suggest getting your feet wet with a small breed rabbit or one of your pets. I've seen pygmies and sheep drag 9 and 10 yr olds around the ring. As for what kind of animal, every county fair is going to be different. Talk to the people in YOUR county.

OK and thank you. Gosh knows, we do have a cute bunny that I suspect was a
4H bunny before based on her level of tameness when we rescued her. She's a mini-rex, and DD has most recently taken over every aspect of her care. I didn't know the fairs judged differently, I thought all 4H was sort of standard! Thank you.

[beccachow]

Originally Posted by MDKatie

Sheep are shown with no halters or collars, so I think I'd try with one of the pygmies first. Plus, goats are easier to clip than sheep are to shear (unless you've already got the right shears). And yes, the showmanship classes are focused on the showman and how well he/she handles and prepares the animal. I think she'd do fine with a goat! My 8 yr old stepson just showed our Oberhasli kid in the fair this week, his first show, and he loved it! Just remember to practice a LOT before going to the fair. :-)

OK, so that would narrow it down to goat, and for her size, one of the pygmies would be good, and out of our two pygmies, only Smokie has the personality for something like this, so it would be Smokie. So if we CHOSE to go this route, I would have to make her responsible for him completely, based on the first answer?

Lots to think about, and thank you! DO they have bunny showmanship type things? I'll go peek at the book.

[houndlover]

In our state/county cloverbuds isn't really very competitive. Everyone gets a big beautiful ribbon, but they don't place them first, second, third. We try to get judges that are patient with the youngsters. They spend a lot of time with each kid, talking to them, teaching them right there at the table. We have a wonderful lady this year who really made each kid feel special - and a winner. If they have a good cloverbud experience, they're more likely to want to do well when they get into "real" 4H.

[beccachow]

Originally Posted by houndlover

In our state/county cloverbuds isn't really very competitive. Everyone gets a big beautiful ribbon, but they don't place them first, second, third. We try to get judges that are patient with the youngsters. They spend a lot of time with each kid, talking to them, teaching them right there at the table. We have a wonderful lady this year who really made each kid feel special - and a winner. If they have a good cloverbud experience, they're more likely to want to do well when they get into "real" 4H.

Exactly what I needed to know. I don't want DD to get her feelings hurt if someone else does better than she.