Labor and responsibility earn some the title of champion

Black, spotted, tan, cream and reddish brown cattle were displayed to at least 150 spectators at the Parade of Champions at the SEMO District Fair on Saturday. The animals also showed a range of temperament and attitude as their owners received awards and exited the tent. Tail switching and hoof dragging was not uncommon, causing light-stepping, well-mannered cows to stand out.

The parade was made up of FFA and 4-H animals. Handlers were mainly youths, many of whom took a chunk of responsiblity for raising the animals.

But the event wasn't only about beef -- draft horses, mules, draft ponies, ewes, sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry, ducks, geese, pigeons and turkeys also strutted their stuff.

Eleanor Hasenbeck, 10, paraded her English angora rabbits in a cage via wheelbarrow to receive reserve champion doe and grand champion and champion buck ribbons for her animals. Their fluffy gray coats are collected for spinning and weaving, crafts Eleanor and her mom, Cibele of Piedmont, Mo., share.

"I like the fiber," Cibele Hasenbeck said of why spins and weaves. "It embellishes everything. It's soft and precious."

The Hasenbecks sold four rabbits at the show for $10 apiece.

Michele Schabbing of Cape Girardeau was among the parents of handlers who said they had the best year at the fair.

"We worked hard, and it paid off," Schabbing said. Though the fair is only one week long, she said, it takes a whole year to prepare.

Caring for animals requires responsibility and can lead to more responsibility. Katelin Whitener of Marble Hill, Mo., bought a lamb for $150 in May. She worked off the debt to her father by laboring on the family farm. Katelin also worked on a Fredericktown farm whose owner bought Henry, the reserve grand champion at the fair, but let her keep him in exchange for her summer work. With Henry valued at $500 now, Katelin plans to use the profit to buy more lambs.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133