4-h

   

               My father was raised with a family that loved agriculture. When we were little he bought pigs to butcher. I LOVED pigs, I would name them, play with them, I would even take naps with them! That's when I started to really like them. We had heard that you can show them in 4-h, but I didn't know how! I started my first year out with goats and then my second year i went with pigs. I watched the kids getting grand champion while I got second place. I wasn't satisfied with second place.
               I tried very hard, and even had some training with showmanship. As i grew older I got better with a lot of practice. My parents were so proud of me for getting high placings with my pigs. I hadn't done anything with my goats. We went to a show with my goats for my first year, since I didn't know much. I wasn't excited at all about showing. I went in there and I was scared. As i watch the judge make his final decision, I watch my parents. My dad talking to me telling me what to do and my mom just smiling. There were only 3 of us left, which is good! I was so happy so i showed even harder and then 1 got pulled. The judge grabbed the microphone and told the crowd that I got reserve grand champion. My parents were so proud of me, but my sister on the other hand, was upset, since she didn't win. Winning reserve grand my first year boosted my confidence through the roof!
               When fair came I was excited to show but also scared. I didn't know a lot of people there since I had only been showing for 2 years at that fair. My parents were proud of me for getting 4th, since it was such a big fair. I wasn't very happy with myself, but I knew next year would be a better year. When pigs came I got excited. I went in with a lot of confidence and came out with a second place ribbon. This time I was proud of myself for doing good in pigs at such a big show. I sold my pig, while I was sad to let him go I was excited that I did so well,
             The next year my sister got reserve grand champion showman. I was so mad that I wanted to quit. My dad told me he would help me and get me to be grand champion. Me and my sister argued about who was a better showman. Of course I knew she was better but I just wanted to make a point. Over the winter I spent time thinking about how I was going to win. I started out with a clean slate and bought everything new. Each night when I went to bed I thought of how I would walk them and what I'd do to win. I even made some plans to get together with someone who would help me become a better showman. I planned out who I'd buy my goats from and when. I didn't want to ask my sister for help because I knew she couldn't help me. I was determined to win grand champion by myself.
              This last year, after all the hard work I had finally won grand champion goat showman. I went in the show ring determined. I wasn't scared at all because I knew I could do it. They took me in the ring with the juniors and I got grand champion and a big ribbon. I then moved up with the seniors and I knew I could win. My sister was cocky going in, saying that she was going to beat me. I beat out all the seniors and got grand champion that came with a belt buckle. I wasn't to happy with my pigs because they didn't do very well. I think it was half way on my part because I wasn't working as hard as I could.
              Over the years I have done better. I now know what to do and I am still trying to learn more. I want to show throughout all my years in high school and hopefully get to teach the younger kids how to show. Showing in 4-h and at the fair has made me be a better showman, better person, and has made me meet more people. I would like to do even better with my animals this year! I'm so glad on how much I've improved.