Monday, May 10, 2010

SO EXCITED!!!

What a great round up to the Dixon May Fair this year! It had been a busy week. Tuesday- arrival & set up. Wednesday- rabbit show & showmanship. Thursday- poultry show & showmanship. Friday- round robin showmanship (rabbit, chicken, cavy). Saturday- BREAK. Sunday- awards ceremony & break down.

This year I won 1st in my class for showmanship, it made me legible to compete in the round robin, supreme showmanship for small animals. Actually, this is more of a requirement with winning, as typically if you decide not to compete, you forfeit your placing, which is 1st/2nd place.

I LOVE round robin, and for the past 5 years or so have competed in at least one or the other at Dixon May Fair/Solano County Fair. My first year doing round robin (as a junior) I took 1st/Champion. Since then, every time I competed I always came so close, but ended up in second placing. Since I may close my fair years this year (I can still do next year if I really wanted to), I felt very pressured to do well then to wing the chicken & cavy showmanship like I have in the past.

On Thursday night I was up until 3:30 studying chicken & cavy showmanship. I was reading on all the body & wing anatomy on a chicken, diseases and such on cavys. Both I was gathering as much information as possible to take with me into the show ring.

Well, all that studying paid off! I got all my Cavy questions right (4/4), and only missed one question on the chicken (3/4). As for rabbits, I took too much time on the examination and our 5 minute time went up, and was unable to answer any questions. I thought this was the end of me.

Last night we went to the awards ceremony which they have never done in the past. They usually tally up the scores then, and hand out awards. That night until Sunday at about 4:00 the anticipation was eating me alive, I couldn't wait to hear how I did. I just needed to know.

We all lined up in the show ring and placed 4th-1st. When they went through and didn't call my name at second, I felt so relieved more then anything. They called my name for the Dixon May Fair FFA Supreme Small Animal Champion and I was pretty happy! YAY! :) I was showing as an independent, which is even more exciting because we usually get booted to the back of the line. TEAM UNDERDOG, GO! :)

Photobucket
Me & my awards.


It's been 7 years attending the Dixon May Fair. This place is my second home, has evolved me into the person I am today. I have learned so much, and I continue to every year. It may not be as it used to be, but I do take it as it is, and I know for many years, even without my showing I will be there. I've taught my competitors, and I've taught my friends, and now that I am growing up, I'm hoping the ones who pursue it take my place. I have so many kids who look up to me, and it makes me feel happy and believe myself. I try my best to help anybody who needs it. I feel it has been the number one thing since I started in 4-H. Helping & teaching others to be the best they can be. I know they will continue to shine.

Photobucket
Left to right, Sarah (4-H Junior Supreme Showman), Melanie (4-H Senior Showman) & me (FFA Senior Advance Showman). Melanie is a good friend of mine and Sarah is just a sweetheart! I'm so proud of them both.


What week! I have to go back to work today and have a busy week with that & watching Zeus. Sadly we lost a couple of babies this weekend to enteritis. I hate that! :( It's a horrible death process. :(

Have a good week everyone!
Susie :)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the much deserved win Susie! You go girl!

rrj said...

Success and congratulation.
RRJ