Pomfret--4-H’ers enrolled in the working steer project had an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in handling and driving their teams at two shows this summer.
The 4-H working steer shows, which took place on July 23 and August 12, were both held at the Highland Farm in Pomfret. They were sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and served as qualifying shows for 4-H members interested in competing at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in September.
Judging the first show was Cy Courser, Warner, New Hampshire. Tyler Allen, Loudon, New Hampshire, served as the judge for the second show.
The competition included three classes, fitting and showing, cart class and the stone boat pull. The 4-H’ers participated in either the Junior Division (ages 8-13) or Novice Division (first-time showing), winning a blue, red or white ribbon in each event, depending on the number of points scored.
In fitting and showing the judge awards points based on the exhibitors’ knowledge of working steers as well as how well they handle and drive their team. The overall appearance and condition of their team, including proper fit of equipment, also is taken into consideration.
Both the cart class and the stone boat pull are timed events. In the first, competitors are judged on how quickly they can hitch their team to a two-wheeled cart and navigate an obstacle course. For the other, they must get their working steer team to respond to voice commands to pull a stone boat, a type of sled used to move heavy objects.
Junior Division competitors were Charlotte Aiken, Tunbridge; Lily Larocque, Randolph Center; Clyde Tracy, South Royalton; and Matt Whitney, Chelsea. Madeliene Bates, Tunbridge, entered the Novice Division. All of the exhibitors are members of the Green Mountain Teamsters in Pomfret except for Charlotte, who belongs to the Clever Clovers 4-H Club in Tunbridge.
In the first show, Charlotte earned a blue in fitting and showing, a red in cart class and a white in stone boat pull. At the second show, she won a red in fitting and showing and a white ribbon in both of the other classes.
At the July 23 competition, Lily received a blue in fitting and show and cart class and a white in the stone boat pull. She did not enter the August 12 show.
Clyde received a blue in fitting and show, a red in cart class and a white in the stone boat pull in the first show. His ribbon count was a red for fitting and show and whites in the other classes at the second show.
Matt earned blues in fitting and show and cart and a red in the stone boat pull in both events. He qualified to compete in the New England regional working steer show at Eastern States Expo.
Newcomer Madeliene earned blues in all her events at both shows, with the exception of one white for the stone boat pull in the first show.
To learn more about the Vermont 4-H working steer program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-7641 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.