Though they be but lil’, they are fierce. Or so the saying goes.
This week, about 100 kiddos are wrangling up horses and cows nearly five times as big as them, and putting on their own show in the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds livestock barns.
They’re the Lil’ Wranglers, and for many of these children, this is their first time ever handling a farm animal.
“This is another element to get the little ones involved and hopefully they want to grow up and participate in 4-H in the livestock arena as they get older,” said Annie Romine, Bartholomew County 4-H Fair director and Lil’ Wrangler coordinator.
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The annual program started in 2009 as a way to give young future 4-Hers some exhibiting experience, and has since evolved into a pipeline for children to learn more about 4-H projects and competitions.
Any child entering kindergarten, first, second or third grade this fall is eligible to participate as a Lil’ Wrangler. The children may not show their own animal, but can instead show any registered species owned by another 4-H member in the specific category. Participants can choose to show chickens, goats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, beef steers, horses and ponies. Cost to enter Lil’ Wranglers is $3 per animal.
Becky Speaker, a fair director and Lil’ Wrangler coordinator, said many of the kids are already familiar with 4-H because the animals they show as Lil’ Wranglers may be owned by older siblings, cousins or neighbors who are 4-H members. Some 4-Hers also offer up their animals to anyone who wants to be a Lil’ Wrangler but still needs an animal to participate.
“This is a very hands-on way to get them in the ring,” Romine said. “There is a judge in the ring, and while they’re not being judged, it gets them in front of a judge. A lot of times, someone will accompany them in the ring, like a 4-Her they’re borrowing the animal from, who gives the child helpful tips while showing the animal.”
Speaker said while the kids do receive some training that they can use in the future if they participate in 4-H, Speaker said it’s all about the experience.
“It’s as much as an experience for them to get,” Speaker said. “It’s that experience and getting that rhythm. I’m thinking of one little girl who would have the end of the rope with the steer and the 4-Her is actually showing the animal. The little girl doesn’t know it; she’s just walking around and looking at the judge. But the experience makes them want to be more involved in 4-H.”
In its first few years as a program, Lil’ Wranglers benefited the 4-H sheep program most of all. Speaker said there were more Lil’ Wranglers in the sheep show than in any other 4-H program. As kids graduate from Lil’ Wranglers, many continued to show sheep in 4-H.
Romine’s own children were once Lil’ Wranglers before joining 4-H when they got older. As a parent, she understands the desire to feel involved in fair festivities beyond just riding rides and playing games on the midway.
“A lot of people come out to the fair and they want to feel like they’re involved in some way,” Romine said. “Everyone — you don’t have to participate in 4-H prior, you don’t have to be part of a home economics club — everyone can feel like they’re contributing to the Bartholomew County 4-H fair. Lil’ Wranglers is a great way for the youth to get their hands on livestock even though they could be involved in Cloverbuds and Mini 4-H.”
Programs such as Mini 4-H and Cloverbuds, designed to encourage positive development of children, are also available to children in kindergarten through second grade. These programs geared toward this age group focus on building developmental skills and creating miniature 4-H projects on subjects such as insects, sewing, space and trees. Only Lil’ Wranglers, however, focuses on showmanship in the show ring.
On average, about 130 to 150 children and animals combined participate in Lil’ Wrangler shows each year. The swine show is typically the largest with about 50 to 60 participants and pigs. Some Lil’ Wranglers show multiple animal species.
The stands inside the livestock pavilion are filled with parents, grandparents and friends during each show as they watch the children gain experience. Each participant receives a ribbon from the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair queen after they complete the program.
Susan Arnholt, secretary of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Board, said some kids demand their parents enroll them in Lil’ Wrangler shows.
“We’re garnering this energy early on and feeding them into 4-H,” Arnholt said. “I’ve seen them as Lil’ Wranglers, and now they’re out there showing. For them to get to have the barn experience, it’s pretty special.”
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Lil’ Wranglers is a program for children entering kindergarten through third grade who want to experience livestock shows in a safe and fun manner before they’re old enough to participate in 4-H.
The kids cannot show their own animals, but they can show any registered species owned by another 4-H member in the specific category.
Participants can show chickens, goats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, beef steers, horses and ponies. Cost to enter Lil’ Wranglers is $3 per animal.
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Wednesday
1 p.m. Lil’ Wrangler Sheep Show – Pavilion
Thursday
10 a.m. Lil’ Wrangler Dairy Show – Pavilion
12:30 p.m. Lil’ Wrangler Beef/Starter Calf – Pavilion
Friday
6:30 p.m. Lil’ Wrangler Horse & Pony – Horse Arena
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Today
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Market Lamb weigh-in – Livestock Barn
10 a.m.: 4-H Barrow Show & Showmanship – Pavilion
2 – 4 p.m.: Community Day at the Midway
5 – 10 p.m.: Lil’ Hands on the Farm
5 – 10 p.m.: 4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open
5 p.m.: Community Day at the Midway, Canned Goods Night (1 free ticket for each can of food or $23 wristbands)
6:30 p.m.: Horse & Pony 4-H Fun Show & 4-H Costume Class
7 p.m.: Blacksmithing Demonstration – Heritage Building
7 p.m.: Frog Jumping Contest – Farm Bureau Building (Registration at 6:30 p.m.)
7 p.m.: Chordlighters Barbershop Quartet – David Boll Theater
7 p.m.: UMRA King of TQ Midgets – Grandstand
Wednesday
8 a.m.: 4-H Tractor Contest registration begins
9 a.m.: 4-H Cat and Caged Critter shows – Pavilion (Registration at 8:30 a.m.)
9 – 10 a.m.: Grand Champion Pictures – Community Building; David Boll Theater
9 – 11 a.m.: Open Class Flowers due – Family Arts Building
10 a.m. – noon: Adventure Day Carnival – David Boll Theater
Noon – 7 p.m.: Blacksmithing Demonstrations – Heritage Building
Noon – 10 p.m.: Lil’ Hands on the Farm
Noon – 10 p.m.: 4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open
1 – 10 p.m.: Midway opens – Kids Day ($15 wristbands all day and night; no age limit)
1 p.m.: Lil’ Wrangler Sheep Show, 4-H Sheep Show – Pavilion
2 p.m.: Pedal Tractor Pull – East of Farm Bureau Building (Registration begins at 1 p.m.; $2 entry)
5 – 7 p.m.: Extension Homemakers – Puppy Pillow Session – Family Arts Building
5 – 6 p.m.: Feel the beat with the Drum Circle from Mill Race Center – David Boll Theater
6:30 p.m.: Horse & Pony rain date or open arena riding
6:30 p.m.: Beth’s Dance Center Dancers – David Boll Theatre
7 p.m.: Mud Bogs – Grandstand
7 – 7:45 p.m.: Southern Indiana Pipes & Drums – Farm Bureau Building
8 – 9 p.m.: Easterling Magic Show – Farm Bureau Building
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For more coverage of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, see Page 3, and check out photo galleries at therepublic.com.
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