Young exhibitors shine during Thomas County Fair Sheep and Goat Show

Young exhibitors and their animals took center stage July 29 during the Thomas County Fair Sheep and Goat Show at the fairgrounds arena.

Brandon Anderson served as judge, and Janet Bear was the show superintendent.

The sheep and goat show is an exciting event for 4-H members, as the smaller animals can be easier for young exhibitors to handle than pigs or cattle. Dressed sharply in their show attire, the participants demonstrated their hard work and livestock-handling skills throughout the morning.

The event began with the sheep show, followed by a pee-wee sheep show held for fun. The exhibitors then moved into the goat competition, which also concluded with a pee-wee show.

In senior sheep showmanship, Sophia Stramel earned grand champion honors, and Tinsley Wolf was reserve champion. Cort Stramel was the intermediate grand champion, followed by reserve champion Jaxon Bear. Raile Mazanec won the junior division, and Bear Stramel received reserve champion.

Market sheep class winners and runners-up were Sophia Stramel and Cooper Carpenter in Class 1; Jaxon Bear and Bear Stramel in Class 2; Raile Mazanec and Sophia Stramel in Class 3; Brody Stramel and Jaxon Bear in Class 4; and Kimber Carpenter and Landrie Maupin in Class 5.

Raile Mazanec exhibited the grand champion market lamb, while Brody Stramel showed the reserve champion.

In the breeding sheep show for ewes born before March 1, 2026, Jaxon Bear received grand champion, and Raile Mazanec earned reserve champion.

The goat show followed with Lucille Fellhoelter named the senior showmanship grand champion and Kruze Denny earning reserve champion. Macklyn Carpenter won the intermediate division, followed by reserve champion Rayah Barnett. In junior showmanship, Brooklyn Reid earned grand champion, and Quinn Denny received reserve champion.

Market goat class winners and runners-up were Colby Kriss-Howlett and Deegan Wolf in Class 1; Macklyn Carpenter and Brooklyn Reid in Class 2; Lucille Fellhoelter and Gabriel Cook in Class 3; Kruze Denny and Rayah Barnett in Class 4; Wrylyn Carpenter and Quinn Denny in Class 5; and Lake Fellhoelter and Tinsley Wolf in Class 6.

Macklyn Carpenter showed the grand champion market goat, and Wrylyn Carpenter exhibited the reserve champion.

In the breeding goat show, Brooklyn Reid exhibited the grand champion doe in the 6-months-and-under division, while Rayah Barnett received reserve champion. In the 6-months-and-over division, Wrylyn Carpenter earned grand champion, and Lucille Fellhoelter received reserve champion.

The morning showcased the preparation, confidence and dedication of Thomas County’s young livestock exhibitors while giving even the youngest participants an opportunity to experience the show ring.