Sarah Brown, Loralei Balcunas and Courtney Polish with Loralei’s award-winning rabbits.
Douglas 4-H youth brought home a baker’s dozen of awards, including two grand championships and a champion market lamb from the June 22-26 Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair.
Under the guidance of Nita Vick and Jolene Polis, five members of The Carson Valley Shepherds were recognized by the judges at the competition.
Sarah Brown had the Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb and placed third in Junior 4-H Sheep Showmanship.
Courtney Polish took three lambs and placed second in her 4-H Market Class, Reserve Champion Homegrown Market Lamb, second in the Spring Ewe lamb class, fourth in the Fall Ewe class and third in Intermediate 4-H Sheep Showmanship.
Loralei Balcunas took two lambs and placed third in her 4-H Market Lamb class, seventh in her Fall Ewe Lamb class, and third in Senior 4-H Sheep Showmanship.
Clara Jean Lenihan took three lambs and placed third in her 4-H Market Lamb class, fifth in her Fall Ewe Lamb class, third in her Yearling Ewe Lamb class, and showed in Junior 4-H Sheep Showmanship.
Whitney Walters took one Market lamb and showed in Senior 4-H Sheep Showmanship.
In her very first year as the Douglas 4-H Rabbit Club leader, Gabby Balcunas brought the club to the fair. Her daughter, Loralei Balcunas, entered seven rabbits, six of which she bred herself. Her winnings included a Grand Champion Rabbit with her homegrown Blue Senior Mini Rex buck named “HONR’s Spruce,” and a Reserve Grand Champion win with her Intermediate Sandy Flemish Giant buck, “Daffodil Springs Norbert.”
“This rabbit was the hit of the show,” said 4-H Youth Coordinator Patrick Flynn. “He had lots of admirers and received tons of pats over the week.”
