About 20 4-H'ers participated in the beef breeding show.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 11:00 a.m. March 20, 2015
Sarasota
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It's fair season at Robart's Arena, which means the 4-H clubs in the county are out in full force in the show arena and in the exhibition buildings, showing off everything from cattle to cookies that they have been working on all year.
This year was Samantha Hix's first show. As an 8-year-old, wrangling a 1,200-pound cow with an attitude is no easy task, but Hix struck gold in the arena, winning Grand Champion overall last night at the beef breeding show.
The beef breeding show judges the form and breeding of the animal, looking for aesthetic value and breed standards that female cattle could pass on to their calves. About twenty 4-H'ers participated in the show.
For Delanie Bartell, winning Reserve Grand Champion overall was a tearful moment. Bartell has been showing cows for eight years, and she said she wanted to win a belt buckle before she graduated next year. She has one year left, however, to top her best.
Deana Lewis, Blazers 4-H Club, vacuums off dirt from her cow.
About an hour before the show, 4-H'ers have to brush off and prep their animals for the show ring.
Most of the heifers stand calmly while their owners brush, vacuum and fluff their coat.
Samantha Hix, Blazers 4-H, fluffs up her cow's fur.
Katelyn Sanders and Samantha Hix talk before the next class.
Delanie Bartell pulls one of her cows toward the arena for judging.
During the cow calf pair show, the calf gets to tag along in the show ring.
Deana Lewis waits in line to enter the show ring for the next class.
Members of the Livestock Committee volunteered during the fair to help out during the animal shows.
David Collica, with the Foxmill Kids 4-H Club, gets ready to go to the arena.
Andy Andreasen, the show judge, talks about his observations during one class of the show.
Delanie Bartell maintains eye contact with the show judge, an important part of showmanship.
Samantha Hix keeps her eyes on the judge as he analyzes each animal.
Judge Andy Andreasen talks with Katelyn Sanders, Jr. Cattlemen Club, about her heifer.
Samantha Hix waits for judge Andy Andreasen to finish examining the animals in the show ring.
Delanie Bartell returns to the barn after her victory in winning Reserve Grand Champion.
Delanie Bartell won several classes as well as Reserve Grand Champion.
Samantha Hix won Grand Champion in her first year showing cattle.
Vendors promising all the fair-favorite cuisine light up the fair.
