Lamb lead class is a family affair
COSHOCTON – The adult division of the lamb lead class is a family affair for several participants.
Angie Porteus Pyle started competing in the contest when she was 10-years-old and a 4-H member and still competes today with her mother, aunt and cousin.
“I showed sheep and was the lamb and wool queen for Coshocton,” Pyle said. “This is a tradition for our family and now we get to compete against each other and mom and I can wear each other’s clothes (in the contest).”
The lamb lead class was held Tuesday evening, Oct. 3 in the junior fair arena at the Coshocton County Fair. One of the rules for the contest is that a participant’s apparel must be at least 75 percent wool. In addition to their outfit, they are judged on poise and appearance, control and presentation of animal and garments suitability and originality.
Colton Gress’ outfit was modeled after an early golfer, but his favorite part of the event was being with the animals.
“I’m excited to be out there because you can walk sheep,” said Gress, who is 7-years-old.
His 3-year-old sister Makayla Gress was competing in the contest for the first time.
“I wanted to follow my brother,” she said.
The Gress siblings are part of Elaine Ashcraft’s 4-H Club.
“Elaine suggested we do this,” said Jennifer Gress, Colton and Makayla’s mother. “She thought it was a good opportunity and good experience for the kids.”
The Gress children used Ashcraft’s sheep for the event and Porteus wanted to be sure to thank the Roman family for the use of their sheep.
Girls and boys ages 3-8 who took part in the contest received participation awards, but those ages 9 and up received awards from a judge.
Porteus and Pyle said their family is pretty competitive with each other, but Pyle added that her cousin Joy Heller usually ends up winning. Joy and her mother Mary Lou Heller also are regular participants in the contest. Joy has shown in the lamb lead contest since she was 3-years-old and Mary Lou is a 25 year advisor of the Happy Tracks 4-H Club.
This year, however, no one in the family left the event with bragging rights. Tracey Sprowl of Tuscarawas County was the judge for the contest and she couldn’t find a single flaw with Pyle, Porteus or the Hellers.
“You are all deserving of rosettes,” Sprowl said.
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