Youths show lambs at fair Saturday
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on September 28, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Anna Brooke Taylor, 10, gives her lamb Gunner a kiss before their showing in the Junior Lamb Show. Anna Brooke won the first place ribbon in her age group.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Katie Dotson, 15, leads the lamb parade in the senior category of the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. Participants are judged on their sheep's demeanor and posture and how well they maintain eye contact with the judge.
Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow.
Anna Brooke Taylor's little lamb has a blue ribbon.
The 10-year-old competed in the Junior Lamb Show Saturday at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. It is her third year of showing lambs.
By her side was 6-month-old Gunner.
Anna Brooke and Gunner sported matching fuchsia accessories.
But it was more than their fashion taste that clinched the first place prize.
"Make the lamb look the best it can," said Dr. Jimmy Reber, judge of the junior lamb competition. "It doesn't have to be the best looking lamb."
He selected the winner based on the consistency of the lamb's behavior. He was looking for straight backs, squared legs and good eye contact from the participants.
The showmen led their lambs around the ring before lining them up so the judge could inspect them more closely.
"It's like she has a remote for her sheep. When she stops, it stops," Reber said after watching Anna Brooke.
In second place in the 9-13 category was Tanner Bentley.
Tanner and his sister both show lambs around the state.
In the senior division, the victory was bittersweet for older sister Kelsey Bentley.
She has been showing in the eastern North Carolina lamb circuit for 10 years.
This is her last year.
She said she has loved showing lambs.
"Lambs are very sweet and very docile," she said. "They're quick to please."
The 18-year-old from Micro is applying to North Carolina State University to become a veterinarian.
Lillie Medlin came in second place in the senior division.
In the last show, the novice category had sheep as tall as the showmen.
In some cases, Reber noted the lamb was too much for them.
But that didn't stop Travis Cox from staring Reber down while showing off his lamb. To Travis' delight, he won first place.
John Owens came in second place.
"Any of these kids can show my lamb any day of the week," Reber said.