Dani Sexton washes her steer, Blue, at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Dani took fourth place Junior Market Beef Showmanship.
Amanda Thomas won a total of six purple ribbons, including a first place purple in Senior Sheep Showmanship.
James Webb received purple ribbons for his market hog and in Senior Hog Showmanship.
Gabby Sexton helps her steer cool off. She received blue ribbons for her market beef.
Levi Webb showing his lamb. He received blue ribbons in Market Lamb and Junior Sheep Showmanship.
Laciey Auchenbach poses with her lamb and ribbons. She was awarded a purple ribbon in Showmanship and 2nd Overall Novice Showman.
MISSOULA - The Seeley Lake Trailblazers 4-H Club may have a small number of members, but in the Missoula County fair last week, the club took home a number of ribbons.
Amanda Thomas, Dani Sexton, Laciey Auchenbach and James Webb were all awarded purple ribbons for their work and all club members placed with blue or red ribbons in every category.
4-H uses the Danish system in the judging process. Top ribbons include grand and reserve champion, followed by a purple group (P – top in their class), blue group (B), red group (R) and white group (W – participation ribbon) according to the placing received.
Thomas has been in 4-H for nine years and received purple ribbons in five of the six categories. She said the work goes beyond raising animals.
"I use my breeding project as a small business and you learn how to do the finances of something like that," she said. "We interview to come to fair. You could put that towards a job interview. It's not totally the same but you have the experience talking to somebody."
Dani Sexton, 13, took home a purple ribbon for her market beef interview and showmanship.
"4-H is really good experience for getting to know people and being able to talk to people and knowing more about animals and knowing how you can make a profit for yourself in the future," she said.
Last year, Sexton's steer placed third overall in market which she was able to turn around for a good profit, partially due to the steer's high sale price and partially due to the help she received from a scholarship to purchase her steer.
According to Sexton, her main costs of raising 4-H animals come from buying the animal and feeding it. At the time of the fair, Sexton's steer was eating 17 pounds of food each day.
Sexton also mentioned the club's small size. Her sister Gabby graduated this spring. Next year she will be the only person still competing in the steer categories. Since Thomas and James Webb are graduating next spring as well, the Trailblazers will continue to shrink.
"We're just hoping that people know we're still here," she said. "You can do anything in 4-H, you can do biking, there's dog shows you can go to, you can do cats, you can pretty much do anything as long as you ask."
The letter following each project indicates ribbon received.
Laciey Auchenbach: Market Lamb, B; Market Lamb Interview, R; Reserve Novice Showmanship, P
Dani Sexton: Market Beef Interview, P; Market Beef, B; 4th Place Junior Market Beef Showmanship
Gabby Sexton: Market Beef Interview & Project, B; Senior Market Beef Showmanship, B
Amanda Thomas: Breeding Sheep Interview, Crossbred Ewe Lamb, Crossbred Ewe 1 Year & Older with Lambs at Side, P; Crossbred ewe 2 yrs and older, P; Crossbred ewe lamb, B; Market Lamb Interview & Project, 2nd Place P; Senior Sheep Showmanship, 1st Place P
James Webb: Market Hog Interview, B; Market Hog, P; Senior Hog Showmanship, P
Levi Webb: Market Lamb Interview, R; Market Lamb, B; Junior Sheep Showmanship, B
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