When Sophia Barlow first entered the 4-H and Allen County Fair universe two years ago, she was certain of one thing: she didn’t know how much she didn’t know about either.
Fast forward to this weekend and now the 15-year-old Logan Pals 4-H member is much more well versed on all things Fair-related.
“It helps that I’m older” than most newcomers, Barlow said, as she discussed her 2022 projects, many of which have already been judged.
In fact, Barlow was named grand champion in clothing buymanship at Tuesday’s Style Revue, and she’s received a purple and two blue ribbons for her food entries.
She was to learn Friday evening how her lamb entry does. Her busy schedule culminates Saturday evening when she shows a pair of steers during the Beef Show.
“I was pretty nervous last year,” primarily because of the newness, Barlow admitted.
This year is a bit different, not only because she’s learned several tricks of the trade for animal showmanship, but she’s learned enough about animals to know what to expect in the show arena.
“With the steers, you can tell by then who has the best animal,” Barlow said. “You’ve been around them all week.”
A PASSION for 4-H came about rather late for Barlow, daughter of Steve and Beth Barlow.
It wasn’t until the fall of 2020 when she signed up for 4-H, largely oblivious to what such a venture entailed.
“My dad showed steers when he was little, and said, ‘Why don’t you try it?’ So I did.”
Barlow, who has fostered a love of animals most of her life, learned quickly there was much to learn when it came to showmanship, little tricks 4-H’ers use to make their animals more appealing.
“Some of it seemed crazy,” she chuckled, such as using a blow dryer to make the hair fluffier, or clipping the animals’ hooves. Both are routine measures she had never dreamt of when she started.
Barlow entered her steers last year without doing any of those, but Barlow still netted a champion showmanship prize and blue ribbons for her animals, as well as a purple ribbon for her clothing buymanship.
Barlow decided to do those again this year, along with another major endeavor: showing a sheep. (Like steers, she had no experience working with sheep until acquiring one for the Fair.)
Barlow noted she benefits from the experience and expertise of friend and 4-H veteran Gabriella Sharp.
