Youth programs open fair

Diego Bustamente's pig, Porky, cools off in his water trough as he waits for weigh-in.

It's fair time, and things were hopping down at the swine barn at the Elmore County Fairgrounds on Monday morning as 4-H club members prepared their pig projects for weigh-in. ,

Diego Bustamante, 10, of Mountain Home, and his pig, "Porky" were waiting their turn at the scales. "It's been great," said Diego of his first year as a 4-H member. He decided on a pig project because of the species' reputation for intelligence.

At the rodeo grounds, Jessica Ruffing, 14, and Kade Karren, 15, both of Mountain Home, had just wrapped up the Intermediate Showmanship competition in the annual 4-H Horse Show.

Jessica Ruffing, left, and Kade Karren were the Reserve Grand Champion, and Grand Champion, respectively, of the Intermediate Showmanship competition held during the annual 4-H Horse Show on Monday morning.

Kade and his horse, Jag, had won Grand Champion ribbon. Kade said he joined 4-H to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who joined a year ahead of him. He's been riding horses "all my life," he said, and his favorite equestrian event is Working Cow.

Jessica was this year's Reserve Grand Champion for the Intermediate Showmanship competition. She began riding six years ago when she joined 4-H. She, too, is following in the footsteps of her older brother, who joined 4-H a year ahead of his sister. The Trail competition is her favorite equestrian event.

4-H and Optimist Youth competitions continue throughout fair week, July 15-20, and culminate on Saturday with livestock sales and the annual Buyers' Breakfast, hosted by the 4-H, and the Buyers' Luncheon, hosted by the Optimist Youth.

The carnival and open class exhibits open on Wednesday.