Bradford--Orange County 4-H'ers captured the top two places in the State 4-H Working Steer show, Aug. 14, in Bradford.
Siblings Joey and Amanda Ferris of Braintree placed first and second, respectively, overall in the competition, which was held at the Connecticut Valley Fairgrounds. The show, which was open to all current 4-H working steer project members, ages 8-18, also included several exhibitors from New Hampshire.
University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H sponsored the event, which was judged by Terri Chamberlin of Pomfret. Chamberlin is an adult leader for the Green Mountain Teamsters 4-H club, based in Pomfret. Amanda, 17, and Joey, 14, are long-time members of the Clever Clovers 4-H Club in Tunbridge and have been enrolled in the 4-H working steer project for many years.
Working steer competitions are scored on the Danish system with points awarded based on the color of the ribbon: blue, red or white. Exhibitors compete against others in their class but are scored individually on their performance in the show ring. Teams are evaluated on how closely they meet specific standards for appearance and condition.
The first competition was fitting and showing where exhibitors received points based on how well they handled and drove their team; the overall condition, cleanliness and grooming of their steers; proper fit of equipment and their own personal appearance and knowledge of working steers. Amanda placed first and Joey, second. Both received red ribbons.
Following this competition, the 4-H teamsters took part in the cart class, a timed event where they were judged on how quickly they hitched their team to a two-wheeled cart and navigated an obstacle course. The judge awarded Joey a blue ribbon and Amanda, a red.
The third event, the stone boat pull, also was a timed event. It required competitors to get their team to respond to voice commands to pull a stone boat, a type of sled used to move heavy objects. Amanda came in first, Joey, second, in this contest with both receiving red ribbons.
For information about the Vermont 4-H Working Steer Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 651-8343, ext. 513, or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.