Welter, a member of Central Plains FFA, has been competing at the fair for the past nine years. Prior to that, she came to support her sisters.

“It’s been such a family tradition,” said Welter, who participated in the sheep show at the Webster County Fairgrounds on Thursday. “My sisters did it, too. So I have always been around it.”

It takes a lot of preparation to get the animals ready for the show.

“Walking them every day, feeding them and we wash the leg wool — brush it,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Josie Matton, 16, of Harcourt, poses with her horse Coco at the Webster County Fairgrounds on Thursday. Matton was getting Coco ready for the upcoming events like barrel racing today during the Webster County Fair. Matton said her favorite part of the fair is the showing of her horse.

Welter likes being able to put her best foot forward in a competition.

“It’s nice having a friendly competition and being able to teach other people about the sheep,” she said.

Blaine Peterson, 10, of Callender, said showing sheep is his favorite part of the fair each year.

He is a member of the Gowrie Groundbreakers club.

“We wash them, we blanket them,” he said. “Lead them around.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Haylee Welter, 17, of Gowrie, shows her sheep during the sheep show at the Webster County Fairgrounds on Thursday. Welter is part of the Central Plains FFA.

He named two sheep this year — one is named George and the other is Buddy.

Alexis Peterson, 15, of Callender, is also a Gowrie Groundbreaker.

She stays focused on the diet of the sheep.

“You have to exercise them and you have get picky about what you feed them,” she said. “We feed them supplements, hay and then show chow.”

She’s been showing sheep for five years.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Alexis Peterson, 15, of Callender, competes in the sheep show during the Webster County Fair at the Webster County Fairgrounds on Thursday. Peterson is a member of the Gowrie Groundbreakers club.

“The best I’ve gotten is second in class,” she said. “But there is still more to go so you never know.”

In terms of other aspects of the fair, Peterson said she enjoys the food offerings.

“Funnel cake is my favorite,” she said. “I like the food and hanging out with friends.”

Meanwhile, Josie Matton, 16, of Harcourt, was busy getting her horse, Coco, ready for the upcoming fair activities.

She’s also a Gowrie Groundbreaker.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Blaine Peterson, 10, of Callender, holds a sheep during the sheep show at the Webster County Fairgrounds on Thursday.

“On Friday night we have barrel racing,” Matton said. “Saturday is the western show and all the pretty stuff.”

Matton has been working with Coco for three years. Coco is 7 years old.

She works hard on Coco’s hair.

“To get them ready first you have to trim their hair,” Matton said. “Cut their whiskers and the fetlock on their legs. After you trim them, you give them a bath and then put his mane in little braids. Make sure the hooves are nice and polished. Then saddle up and get ready for class.”

Spending time with her horse and getting to show Coco is special for Matton.

“My favorite part of the fair is the showing,” Matton said. “It’s what I train all year for, so it’s nice to be able to go out and show and have fun. It’s very exciting to see what my horse can do and what he’s capable of. It’s nice to see all of your hard work pay off.”