The 4-Her shows her pig during the Born and Raised Gilt Show at the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair.
Angelica Gonzalez Morales | Daily Journal
For some parents, it can be emotional to see their children succeed, and those who show animals at the Johnson County 4-H & Agriculture Fair are no exception.
4-H gives kids the opportunity to grow in many ways, such as learning to work with livestock, create year-long projects, grow fruits and vegetables, and hone baking or sewing skills.
For livestock showmen and -women, working with their animals each year is a way of life that is full of life lessons.
Rhett Kelsay, a first-year 4-Her, said it takes lots of work to be able to come out and show his cows. He has continued his family tradition of being involved with 4-H. Rhett’s mother Liz Kelsay, who was a 10-year member, used to show cows when she was younger.
Rhett Kelsay was so determined to show cows that he started working with them when he was a toddler. Liz Kelsay has seen her son’s passion grow more with working with the cows, she said.
“Most importantly, it teaches you hard work. Not everything’s gonna go your way all the time but with perseverance and a little luck you can come out on top,” Liz Kelsay said.
When her son was four years old, he showed his first cow and started to learn more about the animal in Mini 4-H. Liz Kelsay and her family have been anxiously waiting for the time to have Rhett Kelsay involved with 4-H.
For the past three months, Rhett Kelsay has been working closely with his animals, washing them every day. Then during fair week, it takes lots of preparation to get ready for the competition.
Many kids in 4-H during fair week, including Rhett Kelsay, have to wake up early in the morning to feed, milk — in the case of cows — and generally make sure their animals are ready for the competition.
“We still have two more animals to show and we knew today (Wednesday) was gonna be a big day, but it’s really cool to see your child step up and fight through being tired and exhausted, then go show their animal,” Liz Kelsay said.
Rhett Kelsay won a handful of ribbons and won Grand Champion for Supreme Dairy Female. Liz Kelsay thought about about her father after her Rhett Kelsay’s win, and how he would be happy for his grandson.
“It makes me a little emotional because when he was four years old, we were still milking Holsteins and he went to his grandpa and told him that when he’s in charge he wants to own his grandfather’s Holsteins,” she said.
Then Liz Kelsay and her family bought Rhett Kelsay his first Jersey cow, and since then they’ve been breeding them. He also wanted to have his own and breed them himself. Before his grandfather passed, Rhett Kelsay told him that he would continue breeding and showing cows.
The family tradition continues, and he has many more years of showing ahead of him. Rhett Kelsay said he was overwhelmed with emotions from his achievement that he just needed to say one thing.
“I’m just really happy,” Rhett Kelsay said.
Evie Mahan, a third-year 4-Her who shows pigs, said it takes lots of patience and learning to learn how to be with your animal.
Besides all the hard work, Mahan enjoys the quality time it gives her with her animal and her family. Her family always comes out to watch her show her pigs.
Showing pigs has also increased her confidence, she said.
“I like how I feel comfortable in the ring now and being able to be myself, it’s really nice to have that feeling,” Mahan said.
Mahan said it’s important to make note of how you feel when you are in and out of the ring. She knows to set a good example for her pig.
“When I’m frustrated, it can make the pig frustrated, “Mahan said. “That’s a little difficult because you have to stay calm no matter what happens so your pig doesn’t get frustrated and that can impact how you win or lose.”
4-Hers get to learn different lessons, and Mahan has one piece of advice for younger 4-Hers.
“Just be very patient, wait and you’ll get there,” Mahan said.
