A prized heifer and her award-winning calf took two Wingate brothers to the winner’s circle this year at the Montgomery County 4-H fair.
Colby and Kelby Coon earned the top spot in the cow calf championship, the pair’s first opportunity to show the calf and mother this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We were about to showing again in March, when they had to shut the sports and everything down, and just when we were loading up on the trailer the show officials called and canceled it,” Colby said. “It’s been a long summer to work towards winning. ‘Wild’ would be an understatement for the excitement (at the 4-H Fair) this year.”
Colby, a 10-year member of 4-H, graduated from North Montgomery High School this summer. Involved in various beef and swine projects over the years, he has been showing livestock since he was in the third grade.
Kelby, in his second year as a 4-H showman, just entered fifth grade at Pleasant Hill.
The boys’ competitive nature was admittedly a bit stifled this year, Colby said, with no crowd to provide live feedback during the show. Colby, a three-sport athlete while at NMHS, likened the “hype” of the crowd to that of sporting events.
“You really get into it,” he said. “It’s always different, whether it’s showing cattle or track or soccer or basketball. I take it very seriously.”
The brothers are eager to participate in more showings this year, if possible.
