By Tracie Mitchell
Staff Writer 

Washakie County Fair kicks off with 4-H dog show

 

August 2, 2016

Tracie Mitchell

Narisse Trippel sends her dog Larkspur over a hurdle during the Washakie County Fair 4-H dog show Monday morning in Worland.

WORLAND – The Washakie County Fair kicked off Monday morning with the 4-H dog show.

Four Washakie County 4-H members showed their dogs through a variety of challenges shaped to highlight the students' training and showmanship skills. From sitting and staying, on and off leash, to heeling to for one dog jumping obstacles, the dogs and their handlers showed great skill.

Despite the many distractions the members were able to keep their dogs focused for the long sit and the long down events. Even Ginger, Justin Sorricks's under a year old hound was able to contain her puppy excitement and sit and stay for one minute. Narisse Trippel's dog Larkspur showed amazing restraint during the long down, off leash portion, sitting up just once before laying back down at Tripple's command from a distance outside the showing ring.

Anja Sheesley's dog Noah seemed an old hand at being shown but Talon Anderson's dog Wrangler nudged Noah out for best in show. "This is his (Wrangler) first year being shown." Anderson said. "He's 16 months old," she added.

Dog training takes a lot of work, patience and perseverance. "I've been working with him for about a year," Anderson said.

All four handlers and their dogs won first place in their conformation classes:

- Anja Sheesley's cocker spaniel Noah won the sporting class.

- Justin Sorrick's hound Ginger won the hound class.

- Narisse Trippel's border collie won the herding class.

- Talon Anderson's dog Wrangler won the any other mixed breed dog over 14 inches class

According to the 4-H Wyoming Dog Show Guidelines, "Conformation classes provide youth the opportunity to compare their dog's physical characteristics to those of national breed standards. Typically, recognized breeds have concise and clear definitions of what they expect dogs to look like to be registered or recognized by the breed association. Judges evaluate groups of like dogs based on those national breed standards in placing groups and selecting group champions."

In the obedience class:

- Narisse Trippel won first place in open A.

- Anja Sheesley won first place in Novice A.

- Talon Anderson won first place in on leash B.

- Justin Sorrick won second place on leash B.

According to the 4-H Wyoming Dog Show Guidelines, "Obedience classes provide youth with a chance to demonstrate specific skills they have instilled in their dog. These classes take into consideration the experiences of the dogs and place them into similar competitive classes regardless of the age of the youth. Obedience classes take a team effort to be successful."

Showmanship results:

- Narisse Trippel won grand champion in the senior class.

- Talon Anderson won grand champion in the intermediate class.

- Anja Sheesley won reserve in the intermediate class.

- Justin Sorrick won third in the intermediate class.

According to the 4-H Wyoming Dog Show Guidelines, "Showmanship is concerned with how well the dog is presented by the handler to the judge. The handler and dog should appear to be a team. They should work well together, move fluidly, and give an overall picture of being one unit. Neither the dog's conformation nor it being purebred is important. The handler must convey knowledge and understanding of the dog's breed or the breed which the dog most resembles. The handler should present the dog according to the chosen single breed standard."

Both 4-H youth and dogs gave a great performance and proved that all the hard work was worth it at the end of the day, bringing home their ribbons and memories for years to come.

 
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