The Oneida County Fair 2022 kicked off Monday morning bright and early with the Dog Show, followed immediately by the Goat show.  The mini-horse show followed later in the day, as well as the first marquee grandstand show in the form of the Moto-Cross show.  As the week begins to unfold, here’s a rundown of what to expect, and what we already know.

Moto-cross

The crowd at the Oneida County fairgrounds enjoyed a full night of entertainment as they kicked off the 2022 Oneida County fair.  Live a Little Productions Freestyle Moto-Insanity returned to Malad to provide another thrilling show of jumps, stunts and tricks.  

Oneida County’s own adrenaline junkies also participated in the night’s show as they raced for glory and bragging rights for the year to come.  The race divisions were broken down by ATV/UTV size and showcased four different groups- 50-80 cc, 80-120 cc, 120 cc and above and UTVs.  The crowd cheered on the littlest drivers as they made their way around the track to start the night.  As the bikes got bigger, so did the racers and their competitive edge.  The final ATV race was packed with eight racers.  As the flag dropped, the bikes took off, making it a race from start to finish.  Pulling ahead of the pack and taking to the inside was Jon Blaisdell.  He held on to his lead as he made it around the turns, but not by much.  Coming up close behind him for second place was Tyler Hamilton and Macoy Luk in third place.

Throughout the night, Live a Little Productions professional freestyle riders performed stunts and tricks across the arena.  They performed some of the sport’s most thrilling stunts to the awed crowd like the Captain Morgan, backflips, double seat grab, the heelclicker and superman, just to name a few.  As they rode around the arena, they high-fived the excited young fans that tirelessly cheered them on for more and more tricks.

 After the races and freestyle riding were over, the crowd enjoyed an extra treat at the end of the night.  To culminate the opening night of the Oneida County Fair, the Malad Fire Department put on a firework show with fireworks provided by the Fair Board.  Fans commented, “This was the best way to start the week off!” and “Having fireworks was totally awesome!”  With opening night such a success, the rest of the week is sure to follow with equally exciting entertainment and fun.

Dog Show

Earlier in the day, as is usually the case for the Oneida County Fair, this year’s first major 4-H event was the annual dog show, in which young trainers are able to show off their skills with obedience training and showmanship.  Judge Sara Hatcher of Bonneville County 4-H was on hand to put both the kids and the dogs through their paces on a warm but pleasant Monday morning.

“Remember,” Hatcher said as the day’s contest began, “whatever happens you guys are taking home the best dog.  This is a great time to get to know your special dog and strengthen your relationship.”

The strength of the kids’ connections to the dogs was made evident by the uniform high quality of the demonstrations, which Hatcher cited a number of times.  All of the participants ended up with Blue ribbons, which qualify them to enter the State Fair if they desire to.  

Rawzen Munns and Riggin Munns were the sole participants in the Phase III and Phase II Novice Obedience classes, respectively, with their Corgis.

The Phase I—Beginner Class A Obedience Show involved Bryten Bastian and her yellow lab, Tanner Corbridge and his Australian shepard, Megan Moss and her chocolate lab, Eva Coleman and her toy poodle, and Luke Schow with his poodle hybrid.

The Obedience exercises require the children to lead the dogs through a course for the judge.  During the course, the handler is asked to speed, slow, and stop the dog a number of times.  The handler is also required to remove the dog from the leash at certain points and have it respond to commands while unleashed.  The exercises demonstrate both the training of the animal, as well as the skill and command of the handler.

In the event, Megan Moss was awarded first, Tanner Corbridge was awarded second, and Eva Coleman was awarded third.

Of the class, Megan Moss was named Grand Champion, and Tanner Corbridge Reserve Champion.

The Showmanship competition focuses more on the handler’s knowledge of their animal, 4-H, and the animal itself.  After parading the dogs to adjudicate their appearance and comfort with the course, Hatcher asked each handler a series of questions:  “What is your breed?  What was it bred for?  Where are its withers? What do you need to do to keep your dog healthy?  What are the 4 H’s?” and so on.  

As judge Hatcher neared her final decision, Emily Rossow, whose Kanine Korner sponsored the event along with Country Side Kennels, spoke to the parents.  “It’s just so fun to see how far they come from when they start to where they are now.  They’ve all done an amazing job!”

Ultimately, Megan Moss took first, Eva Coleman took second, and Tanner Corbridge took third in the Showmanship event.  

Eva Coleman was named the Showmanship Grand Champion, and Rawson Munns was named the Reserve Champion.

After the awards, the parents took part in their own contest. 

Goat Show

Following the Dog Show, Malad’s goats were given their chance to shine in the sales arena.  The goat competition also involves two main segments, with the first round featuring showmanship and the second dedicated to dairy quality.  Judge Natalie Mingo of Rockland, Idaho, clarified that unlike some judges, she was equally as interested in how the handlers interacted with their animals as in the physical qualities of the animals.

During the show, judge Mingo took the time to explain to the crowd and the participants what kinds of things she looked for as a judge.  “One very important thing for you all,” she said, “is that the animal has to be between you and the judge at all times.  That’s why sometimes I changed position, to see how you would respond.”  The goats are led around the arena so that the judge can check their carriage and gait.  

“I also look for eye contact,” Mingo said.  “I don’t need you to stare me down, of course, but let the judge know that you are engaged with them as you display your animal.  If you’re having fun, smile!  If not, don’t fake it.  Some judges prefer that everyone always keep a completely straight face, but that’s not what I’m looking for.”

In the Senior and Intermediate divisions for Showmanship Abbie Cox took first, Serena Whipple took second, and Evie Smith took third.  Overall, Abbie Cox was named Grand Champion and Caroline Whipple was named Reserve Champion.

The Quality competition began with the Milking Doe competition, which was more focused on the animals themselves.  In the competition, Abbie Cox took first, Evie Smith took second, and Grayson Smith took third.

In the Doling competition, judge Mingo stressed that “you could almost take these animals in any order—they were all excellent and you all did a great job with them.  There are a few differences that separate them, but you should all be very proud!”

In the category, Saigelyn Cox took first, Kendrey Bywater took second, and William Evans took third, with everyone winning Blue Premiums.

Mini-Horse Show

The Mini-Horse Show was the final show of the opening day of the Oneida County Fair.  4-H members, leaders, parents and supporters gathered at the Sale Arena at the fairgrounds to enjoy the 2022 Mini-Horse Show.

Mini-horses are a somewhat unique addition to Oneida County’s 4-H program as it is the only county in the surrounding area that includes Mini-horses.  This is thanks to a generous donor that has provided the Mini-horses for the 4-H members to use.  Each member has a horse that they learn to work with and to care for.  After they are done with their time in 4-H, the Mini-horse is returned for another member to use.

At the show, Monday, August 15,  the participants first competed in the showmanship class.  Although with much smaller animals, mini-horse showmanship is the same as showmanship with full sized horses.  The 4-H members are tasked with taking their animals through a pattern where they must do a variety of maneuvers such as walk, jog, back up, or pivot.  Aside from being judged on how well their horse performs the various tasks, the horse is also judged on its grooming and appearance.  Earning first place in showmanship class was Whitney Waldron, followed by Austin Moyer, Paisley Moyer and Caroline Whipple.

The next class to compete in was the Drive-Trail class where the competitors drove their mini-horses through a course using a harness and reins just as if a cart were in tow.  While none of the participants have carts, they were still able to showcase their skills of directing and handling their mini-horses through the course.  Winning the Drive-Trail class was Whitney Waldron, followed by Paisley Moyer, Austin Moyer and Caroline Whipple.

The final class of the evening was the Hunter-Jumper class where the participants took their mini-horses through a jumping course as quickly as possible.  Paisley Moyer took first place in the class, followed by Caroline Whipple, Austin Moyer and Whitney Waldron.

Emily Rossow, the Mini-horse 4-H leader, shared that the show went great.  “The kids were able to show the things they have been learning and did a really great job.  Some of the horses were a little tougher today, but mini-horses can be like that.  I’m really proud of how they all stuck through it.”

Horse Show

The 4-H Horse Show was held Tuesday morning, August 16, in the Rodeo Arena at the

Fairgrounds. The participants showed off all the hard work they have put in this summer with

their horses.

Participants competed in a variety of classes with their horses. They showcased different skills and their horse’s ability and willingness to listen to their direction. On one half of the arena they held trail events, then they held showmanship and horsemanship on the other side. Each event was split into different divisions, including senior, intermediate, and junior levels. Winning ribbons were awarded in each division. All riders performed well enough to earn blue premium ribbons for each of the events.

In Showmanship Halter, horses were led by their riders to various points in the arena where they would perform skills, such as walking backwards, trotting, and turning. First place in the senior division was Kristal Ford.

A subdivision in this event was for the senior Mustangs. These riders get a mustang and work with the new horse throughout the summer to prepare for this show. In a couple weeks, they will compete again in Blackfoot at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Afterwards their mustangs will be auctioned off. This special mustang division is made possible through the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM). For these riders in the Showmanship Halter class, KyLee Kirkbride took

first with McKenzie Hardy coming in second.

In the intermediate group, Sam Schrenk took first. Abbie Cox got second place and Paislee Davis was awarded third. For the juniors, first place was Tanner Corbridge. Second place went to Cassidy Schrenk, and Maudee Leavitt took third. After the initial event, the first and second place winners in each division participated in the Grand Championship round. The winners were Kristal Ford in first place with Sam Schrenk in second place.

The next class was Equitation on the rail where riders rode their horses around the arena. The announcer would tell riders when to walk, trot, lope, or turn around. At the end they would take turns walking their horses three steps backwards. Kristal Ford took first in the senior level. For intermediate, Paislee Davis won first place with Sam Schrenk taking second. Cassidy Schrenk was awarded first in the junior division with Tanner Corbridge in second.

In the Equitation walk-trot class, the younger riders rode around the arena following instructions from the announcer and judges. For the intermediate division, Kendrey Bywater was first place and second was Cecilee Hill. The juniors finished with Maudee Leavitt in first place, Tayvia Bywater in second place and Saige Blaisdell in third place.

Next was the Horsemanship class. Riders followed a specific pattern around the arena to show the ability of the rider and horse to work together. They completed specific maneuvers during the event. In the senior level, Kristal Ford took first. For the intermediate group, first place was Sam Schrenk. Second place was awarded to Paislee Davis. In the junior division, Cassidy Schrenk was first with Tanner Corbridge taking second.

Younger riders also competed in a Horsemanship walk-trot class. Kendrey Bywater took first in the intermediate division. Tayvia Bywater won first place in the juniors with Maudee Leavitt in second and Saige Blaisdell in third.

The trail events started with the trail in hand class. Riders led their horses by their halters through the obstacles. Different log patterns and a stuffed dog along the path were a few of the obstacles that they went through. They also had to enter a wood square where they guided their horse in a circle. In the senior mustang division, McKenzie Hardy took first place and KyLee Kirkbride got second place.

This was followed by the riding trail class, where participants rode their horses through the trail obstacles. In the junior division, Cassidy Schrenk was awarded first place with Tanner

Corbridge taking second. The results for the senior and intermediate trail class were not

available at press time and will be published at a later date.

For the trail walk-trot class, first place was Kendrey Bywater and second place was Cecilee Hill. In the junior division, Tayvia Bywater took first place and Maude Leavitt placed second. The final events to finish off the morning were the ranch riding and reining classes. Riders rode in specific patterns for these rides. In the ranch riding class, riders also had to take their horses through one log obstacle. For ranch riding in the senior division, Kristal Ford took first place. For the intermediate division, Sam Schrenk got first place with Paislee Davis taking second. In the reining class for the senior division, Kristal Ford took first place. In the intermediate division, Sam Schrenk was awarded first and Paislee Davis took second.

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