So you can probably tell by the purple ribbons and the big grin on Madeline’s face that she had a good night at the dog show on Saturday.
Dog workouts are held for 6 weeks prior to fair for the 4-H Dog project members. By week 5 Madeline was just very frustrated with how the training was not going with Ava. Knowing that this would be the last year she could bring Ike (because Olivia is going to bring him next year when she’s in 4-H), she opted to compete in the show with him instead of Ava.
So when we got to the dog show, the gal in charge asked which dog she had brought. Upon hearing it was Ike, she bumped Madeline up from the junior group to the senior group. Which had Madeline freaking out a little bit, because it was last-minute and because there are some really good dogs & handlers in the senior group. (And also she was waaaay overtired at that point after a late night Friday, and a long day showing hogs that very same day as the dog show.)
But obviously it all turned out okay 🙂 She won Senior Best in Show (which is high points in the obedience portion of the show for the senior group) and Overall Best in Show .
Soon I’ll have some video of her and Ike’s performance in the agility portion. They didn’t win, but they won some laughs. I’ll save that story for when I get the video on YouTube.
Backing up to Friday night was the “Share the Fun” competition, which is basically a 4-H talent show. She’s competed in this event the last 2 years. The first year she was ineligible for the state fair. Last year she came close, picked as 1st alternate to state. So this year she wanted it pretty badly.
She performed “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”, sang beautifully, took her mother’s advice and got the audience clapping along with her, and got picked to perform at the Iowa State Fair! I’ll get video of her Share the Fun performance on YouTube as well. So we’ll be heading down to Des Moines next month for her performance at the state fair.
More fair updates yet to come. These were by far the most exciting and I should have saved the best for last, but I know there are some friends and family reading out there that would want to know how she came out in these two events 🙂
Congrats to Madeline! What an honor! I know Mom must be proud. Best of luck to her at the state fair.
Wow, congratulations! Good luck at the state fair, and maybe next year for Ava???
incredible, what glowing smiles. wonderfully wholesome fun–congratulations. i can’t wait for further updates.
Way to go, Madeline & Ike! Looking forward to seeing her compete at Westminster! 🙂 (hey, a girl can dream, right?)…
Horray! Very nice. I spent years in 4H as a kid, and Share the Fun was always my road to the State Fair (Minnesota). We did group skits, though. Good job to her!
Congratulations, Madeline! I’ve heard some incredible things about the Iowa state fair from my Iowa-born significant. Such fun! Must confess: I do dream of going there myself someday (though it would have to be without dog or talent – as mine is woefully…ummm, free-spirited and I can’t hold a tune to save my voice). Fortunately, vicarous living is good for me. I can’t wait to hear all the state fair updates!
Way to go, Madeline! So proud of you! You’ll have to keep us posted on the date & time that you’ll be at the State Fair. I know you’ll have two more “fans” in your cheering section!
Congratulations Madeline on a great fair week. So proud of you and good luck at the state fair.Jane