And then the Elmore County Fair Happened

Always, we start out by saluting the American Flag. We have not forgotten the importance of our Country. Along with it, is the 4-H Flag.

The flag is carried by a grand daughter of a friends of ours. She did an amazing job

Jilly was a pretty Grooooovy Hippy for her Costume class. 4-H is nothing if not fun, and this is how the show started out on Sunday. Yep, it was hot and sunny, but fun was prevalent. Marshmallow and Jilly had matching blond hair and flowers!

Not all the kids do the Costume Class. It's not required, but it sure is fun to see! And it's a lot of work for the parents to put these outfits together, and to make sure it's gonna be safe for the kid to have on their horse. There is a lot to take into consideration.

This is a bunch of very inspirational kids. You shoulda seen it!

I'm pretty impressed with the spectators that we had on Sunday evening this year. And the kids appreciate the people that came to see the culmination of their work. It's entertaining and it's FREE! I'd like to see the stands even more full next year. What could it hurt? We have shade, and with some water it's really not bad. Bring your kids and they'd love it too!

The photo below, shows my Mom, my Sister, my oldest son, and two of my grandsons. My Mom has been coming to the Fair as long as I have, and we plan to continue. There are some things that don't really change that much, and don't need to be updated (as some people think) County Fairs are one of them. This part, is about the kids, and that should not change. Yes, Normal Rockwell could have painted this picture

Along with my family, is a local business owner and his daughter. When Doug and I were kids, he wasn't (to my knowledge) into horses. But his daughter got the bug, and he does it for her. He is great support to his daughter and to 4-H. It's hard work, and humbling, and aggravating at times. But what matters, is the kids.

Who wouldn't want to come and see this Princess?

Sunday evening is also the English and Jumping classes. I'm more and more amazed at the kids every year. Just yesterday (at Bruneau Rodeo) I had a discussion with other parents, that it's harder and harder for us mentally to put the grand kids on horses and not worry our hearts out. Obviously we've softened in our older age, but we keep doing it, because they want and deserve to. * The rewards are...well....I don't have words to describe how it feels when the rewards are given.

Here is a reward. Not the ribbon, but the smile on my Grand daughter's face when she just got her first Purple Ribbon. The thing here is that Jilly has the Purple Grand Champion ribbon. But what she's most excited about, is just that it's a ribbon. She doesn't realize that Purple IS the Grand Champion. Her smile didn't change over the weekend, when some were blue, red or even white. She just loved the ribbons. THAT is a happiness for me, that is indescribable. She only knew that she'd made it here to the Fair, after lots of hard work, and we were all there for her.

We are pretty proud of this pair. Jilly is really concentrating, and Marshmallow is so relaxed and pleasant looking.

Just as happy with her Red Ribbon, 2nd place

It takes a lot of help/work to complete a day/event. I am always happy to see lots of help. These are parents and Grand parents. It's not all the parents who's kids show, but it's the dedicated ones, that will never let us down if they can help it. * Really, there should be 20 or so sets of parents out there.....But there will always be these. * Over the years (20+) The names have changed of the parents that "will always be there" but in so many ways, they're the same. And so many of them, were in their kids' place 20 years ago. Give or take a few decades I suppose

My son used to be IN the show, ...now he's one of the parents of a child that needs to know he supports her, no matter what it takes. I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is Evan's Reward for what he does. A smile that lights the day

Another Grand..... whatev, it's a ribbon!

I've said before that we have great Horsemen and Women.... here is just a few of the spectacular jumps to show it's true

Here are some "Behind the Scenes" shots, and some of the Trail Class. Trail Class is where the kids maneuver their horses threw obstacles like a Gate, Bridge and obviously a Mail Box.

I hope you enjoy the photos from Sunday at the Fair, because Monday and Tuesday are coming up!

I hope