Grayson Wulf, in foreground, was one of the participants in the Cloverbud beef cattle show at the Lyon County Fair. Cloverbud members were paired up with adults or older 4-H members to help them handle calves in the show ring.

MARSHALL — Getting ready to enter the show ring was a team effort for some of the youth at the cattle barns at the Lyon County fairgrounds. In the bustle to get cattle groomed and lined up to enter the ring, you could see older 4-H members working with the youngest members.

Mason Moorse was reviewing some tips about how to handle a calf with Kristoff Jones. Jones, 6, was about to enter the Cloverbud event at the 4-H beef cattle show.

“We needed to study,” Moorse said.

The beef cattle show was one of the events starting out the day at the Lyon County Fair on Tuesday. The show doesn’t just put a spotlight on champion cattle – there are also events focused on youth showmanship skills, and just gaining experience in the show ring.

4-H members taking part in the show were feeling both nerves and excitement. Cloverbud member Kinslee Johnson said she was feeling “scared” before showing a calf for the first time.

4-H member Grayson Pfarr said he was feeling a little shock after his bull calf was named a champion.

“I had just never gotten a grand champion before, so I was like, ‘Whoa,'” Pfarr said.

“It’s really fun, but it takes a lot of work,” Pfarr said of showing cattle. He spent a lot of time working with his calf so it would behave well in the ring.

4-H member Tyler Wichmann said he’s enjoyed showing beef cattle over his years with the club.

“I’ve been showing cattle since I was in fourth grade, so since Cloverbuds,” Wichmann said. “It’s been a fun ride.”

The Cloverbud event, which started out the show, was meant to be a learning experience for younger kids, judge Chris Polzin explained to the audience. Polzin spoke with each entrant one-on-one, and offered high-fives.

“He asked, ‘Do you enjoy working with your animal?’ and some stuff like that,” said Briggs Bakker, after taking part in the show.

Having an adult or an older 4-H member team up with Cloverbud members is part of the event, said 4-H member Hope Beisler. The Cloverbuds also help them work with and care for a calf as part of the project.

Helping out Cloverbud members was exciting, Beisler said, “But you’re also kind of nervous. You don’t want your calf to act up for them.”