Saline County 4-H kids shine at Dog and Cat Show

The Saline County 4-H Dog and Cat Show was held on July 19 and July 21. The location for the Dog Agility Show and Rally classes on July 19 was instructor Cheri White's agility field. Saying thank you to Cheri White is not nearly enough for all she does for our 4-H dog exhibitors. We appreciate you, Cheri!

Rally is a state fair recognized class for dog exhibitors, and participants must score 70-100 points to advance. This is only our third year offering this class at the county level, and seven State Fair ribbons were earned.

Hannah Wenzel and Biscuit scored a 96 out of 100 in the Rally Intermediate class to qualify for State Fair.

In the Rally Novice class, Haylee Brown and Fern (our high scorer with 98/100 points); Lauren Ecker and Scout; Sierra Wilson and Diesel; Alice Miller and Clover; Makayla Miller and January; and Garrett Arnold and Skittles all qualified for State Fair. Rounding out the class were Briley Karnes and Nero, Wyatt Arnold and Sophie, and Andrew Grizzell and Gidget.

Dog Agility participants are divided into categories according to their experience, the size of their dog, and the height of the jumps. Saline County champions in Dog Agility are: Seth Brown and Zippy (Beginner, 12-inch) with a perfect run; Makayla Miller and Rosey (graduate beginner, 4-inch); Garrett Arnold and Skittles (graduate beginner, 8-inch); Sierra Wilson and Diesel (graduate beginner, 12-inch) with a perfect run; and Hannah Wenzel and Biscuit (advanced beginner, 12-inch); and Lauren Ecker and Scout (novice, 12-inch) with a perfect run.

Also participating in Dog Agility were Caleb Boulds and Berkley (beginner, 12-inch); Andrew Grizzell and Gidget (graduate beginner, 4-inch); Laney Mondino and Trixie (graduate beginner, 4-inch); Wyatt Arnold and Sophie (graduate beginner, 12-inch) with a perfect run; Haylee Brown and Fern (graduate beginner, 12-inch) with a perfect run; Briley Karnes and Nero (graduate beginner, 12-inch); Makayla Miller and January (graduate beginner, 12-inch); and Alice Miller and Clover (graduate beginner, 12-inch).

On July 21, exhibitors competed in Cat Care, Dog Care, Dog Showmanship and Dog Obedience at the Saline County Fairgrounds Sam Stafford Building.

Cat Care County Champion was Raylan Murphy with Smores. Dog Care County Champions were Makayla Miller (Senior Dog Care) with January, Wyatt Arnold (Intermediate Dog Care) with Sophie, and Alice Miller (Junior Dog Care) with Clover.

A State Fair ribbon for Senior Dog Showmanship was awarded to Haylee Brown, and a State Fair ribbon for Junior Dog Showmanship was awarded to Lauren Ecker.

First time Dog Obedience participants competed in the Pre-Obedience Rally A and experienced dog handlers with new dogs competed in the Pre-Obedience Rally B. Rally A County Champion was Caleb Boulds with Berkley and Rally B County Champion was Seth Brown with Zippy. Saline County 4-H youth were very successful in the Dog Obedience classes this year. In order to qualify for State Fair, youth must earn at least 170 out of a possible 200 points. In classes where no member earns adequate points, the top scorer receives a County Champion ribbon.

The County Champion ribbon for Beginner Novice I went to Alice Miller with Clover. Four exhibitors in Beginner Novice II qualified for State Fair: Wyatt Arnold with Sophie, Sierra Wilson with Diesel, Makayla Miller with January, and Briley Karnes with Nero. Hannah Wenzel earned a State Fair ribbon in Preferred Novice with Biscuit.

Congratulations to all of our participants and winners! And a big thank you to Cheri White for conducting the Dog Obedience classes and for organizing the show. Thanks also to Hannah Haney and Emily Ward for judging this year.

<i> Nancy Lambert, with U of I Extension, is 4-H program coordinator for Saline County.</i>