Saratoga County 4-H Kicks-Off Animal Show Series

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series is a five week long series hosted at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center on Middleline Rd. in Ballston Spa. The series was developed as a replacement to the Animal Shows typically featured at the County fairs in the summer.

Animal shows are an integral part of animal science and agricultural education. Providing youths an opportunity to present their animals to a judge allows owners to identify the strongest attributes of their animals, as well as any necessary improvements. 

The series will feature different animal species each Saturday. It launched this past Saturday, Sept. 12 with Rabbits and Cavies (aka guinea pigs). The next four weeks will have demonstrations with sheep, goats, dairy cows and horses, respectively. 

The first event has already been lauded a success. Participants were judged in three different categories; showmanship, breed classes, and fur classes. The competitors ranged in between five-years-old to 18-years-old. The most inspiring part of the day came from watching the older “veterans” guide and encourage the younger first-timers. 

Saratoga County 4-H Animal Show Series will continue next Saturday with a sheep show on Sept.19, followed by a Goat show on Sept. 26, Dairy Cattle Show on Oct. 3 and a Horse Show on Oct. 10. For more information about programs offered by Saratoga County 4-H please contact BH548@cornell.ediu or call 518-885-8995.