Smallest exhibitors wrangle swine

They trot around the floor of the pavilion at the Vernon County Youth Fair controlling animals much larger than themselves. They are the Pee Wee swine exhibitors, and 5-year-old Kylie Alexander and 7-year-old twins Makinsey and Logan Conner are three such participants.

It's Kylie's first year to exhibit but Makinsey and Logan have been participating for a couple of years. In addition to swine, they also have shown sheep.

"Kylie is doing this for the first time this year," her mother said. "She's in the Schell City 4-H and she is really getting a lot out of it."

For Makinsey and Logan it is getting to be an annual event, and their sister, Karliegh, is responsible.

"Their big sister is in 4-H and they do everything she does," their mother said. "They've been doing this since they were five."

It takes a lot of work to bring an animal to the fair. The young exhibitors first have to select and purchase an animal -- with the help of older and wiser advisors -- care for the animal until time for the fair and then prepare the animal for showing.

Five-year-old Kylie Alexander stands with a swine exhibit for the Vernon County Youth Fair. Kylie is in the Schell City 4-H Clover Kids program and this is the first year for her to exhibit livestock. In addition to her swine Kylie also brought arts and crafts to display. [Click to enlarge]

"We went in and bought their pigs in March," Conner said. "Then they fed them, walked them and took care of them until now."

Once fair time arrives it is a bustle of activity to clean the swine up and prepare them for showing. For a showmanship project it's all about the presentation. A pig might not be the best of breed but a knowing exhibitor will present their pig in the best light possible.

"We clipped the pigs at home before we came," Conner said. "They wash them here and get them ready to show."

Logan Conner, seven years old, does one of the unpleasant, but necessary, chores when showing swine at the youth fair, cleaning out the pen. Logan and his twin sister, Makinsey, have both been participating in the Clover Kids since they were five. [Click to enlarge]

Showmanship also means controlling your animal out in the ring and each year the younger exhibitors are invited to the pavilion to watch as the more experienced youth show their animals so they can pick up tips on how to present their animal in the best light.

Swine carcass on-foot judging, swine showmanship, breeding stock and barrows rounded out the swine shows.