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Ward County 4-H Livestock and Small Animal Practice Day held at Minot Trail Riders arena

Submitted Photo Anne Schauer gives pointers on sheep to 4-H members during Ward County 4-H Livestock and Small Animal Practice Day held at the Minot Trail Riders arena.
Submitted Photo Lillyanna Wright and Colt Kersten are shown at Ward County 4-H Livestock and Small Animal Practice Day.

Ward County 4-H hosted its annual Livestock and Small Animal Practice Day at the Minot Trail Riders arena on Monday, June 14.

Practice Day was created to help educate 4-H animal exhibitors and enhance their showmanship skills in preparation for Ward County 4-H Achievement Days and the North Dakota State Fair. It also helps the animals, allowing them a trailer ride to a new place and build their confidence. 4-H youth gain skills on how to properly groom, clip, and practice leading their animal. Additionally, proper show equipment and dress code were discussed.

Ward County 4-H members presented different species; Mariah Braasch on beef, Danny Kersten on rabbits, Colt Kersten on poultry, Kaden Korgel on goats, and Anne Schauer on sheep. Presenters gave pointers on their species including how to properly prepare their animal for show day; how to groom and clip their animal to display the animal’s positive points in their confirmation; and how to present the animal in the best possible way to the judge. There was discussion on common questions judges ask during the shows; it is important for exhibitors to know their animal’s age, breed, diet, gestation period, and weight. C. Kersten also tested and banded poultry for National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), a requirement for any poultry shown in North Dakota.

There were 40 youth in attendance during practice day. Those included Ellie Nelson, Bryson Schiele, and Lilllyanna Wright, Balfour; Abby, Anna, and Carter Finke, Evelyn, Isaac, Olivia, and Sophia Lebrun, and Finley Schieve, Berthold; Anne, Hailey, and Mark Schauer, Carpio; Will Bachmeier, Clay and Faith Carpenter and Emily Merck, Granville; Emily and Layton Fannik, Colt, Danny, and Dusty Kersten, Max; Amber and Mariah Braasch, Danielle Bulow, Brexton and Tatum Ehli, Kaden and Layne Korgel, Grady and Nina Mostad, Ella, Emmy and Eva Novak, and Kyleigh Wiltse, Minot; Evelyn and Matthew Wald, Norwich; Natalee Becker, Sawyer; and Elizabeth Hanson, Velva.

Allowing the 4-H members to use the Minot Trail Riders arena was greatly appreciated.

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