Fresh out of school for the summer and we were off with Valerie's 4-H group to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR.
We left home at 7am to pick up another family and then hit the road caravanning with the group behind the sheep trailer all day.
When we stopped to get the special orchard grass hay for the little sheep we saw Josh jump out of the cab of the truck with a gossling under his arm.
He'd been carrying that thing around for at least a week before hitting the road. At this point it didn't even identify as a goose. It was just one of the kids ready to show sheep.
I imagined the truck cab full of goose poop but Josh made a diaper for Duster:
The diaper is made from electrical tape and wheelchair pads.
Upon arrival Duster went grazing as the girls unloaded sheep and fixed up their stalls.
We were here to show Shetland sheep. These are a small, primitive breed that was at one time close to extinction. These are very docile and halter trained.
Each morning the girls had to clean stalls, feed, water and walk the sheep.
The kids made little chalk boards for the sheep pens.
Of course there was time to have oatmeal with Duster.
Duster was so spoiled. Here are the trailers where we stayed. Ours is on the right. Duster's is in the middle.
And you really don't want to talk to Duster until she's had her coffee.
Sweet goose. I asked Josh if he was going to tell her she was adopted or if she was going to find out the hard way ... From some other bird on the farm!
In addition to showing sheep, there was a fiber arts show, sheep to shawl spinning & weaving competition and tons of people sitting on the sidelines with spinning wheels, drop spindles or knitting. There was lots of potential for shopping.
I restrained myself since I have tons of natural colored yarn that I purchased from Josh a couple of years ago. So, I got this book I thought would inspire me to finish something.
Adults showed the first couple days of show. So, the kids had barn duty and practice.
On Saturday they got their first taste of show when they showed a flock (2 ewes & a ram). Here's the barn manager, Linda, Maddison & Valerie with their flock.
More fun was had ... There was an ice cream social in the barn
followed by game night at the trailer.
Sunday was the day they had to put on Polo shirts and their cleanest jeans.
Here's the Butte Valley Fiber Sheep gang.
And Valerie with one of her sheep.
I think that is Emmit. He didn't win anything because his horns are not formed right. She knew the judge was judging the sheep, not the kids.
But she did win 2nd place and reserve champion with her ewe!
Next was showmanship. This time the judge was judging kids, not sheep.
Not a great photo. But Valerie is on the far right. She came in 5th place out of about 20 kids. Pretty good for a first show!!
You can see all her ribbons in the back pocket ... Like a real pro!
She and Duster can't wait to do it next year.
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