Seeley Lake Trailblazer Dani Sexton presents her steer Pickles to the judges Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Western Montana Fair. Sexton was the only Seeley Lake Trailblazer to participate in 4-H this year.
Seeley Lake Trailblazer Dani Sexton grooming Pickles before showing him at the Missoula County Rodeo Grounds Aug. 6.
MISSOULA – While it was still dark Thursday morning, Aug. 6, Seeley Lake Trailblazer Dani Sexton was giving her steer Pickles a bath. It was the big day for him to show in the Western Montana Fair, something Sexton had being working on since purchasing him from Two Creeks Ranch this spring. He was loaded and rolling towards Missoula from their home in the Woodworth area south of Seeley Lake by 5 a.m.
For the past 10 years the first week in August was all about the Fair for Sexton. However with the coronavirus pandemic, this year the fair looked a lot different. While there was no carnival or spectators allowed during the 4-H events, Sexton was grateful for the opportunity to show and sell her steer for a good price.
Pickles was Sexton's third steer from Two Creeks Ranch. Typically the steers are brought to the Fair Tuesday afternoon around 3 – 4 p.m. for weigh-in and then they spend the rest of the week in the barns with the other animal projects until the sale. There are washing stations for the 4-Hers to groom their animals outside the barns to prepare them for the show.
This year all of the animal projects were shown by species on a designated day. 4-Hers transported their animals to the fair for the day of the show and then brought them home. The market animals returned for the auction Saturday. Instead of showing the animals in the arena, they were out on the rodeo grounds to maintain social distancing.
"I hated it but I liked it at the same time," said Sexton.
Sexton said she really like transporting her steer in the morning, instead of during the afternoon. The cooler temperatures really helped keep Pickles from losing a lot of weight during transport, the animals were less stressed and the traffic was less coming from Seeley Lake.
Sexton said they had to pack all their own water and bring a generator to help run their blow dryer to groom Pickles for the show on Thursday.
"Every other steer there had the same situation. The judges knew the steers weren't going to look their best like they normally would at fair," said Sexton.
All of the animals were parked in the field with only their trailers for shade. Sexton said this was challenging because it was very hot. Everyone was required to wear masks and she said the heat was hard on the animals. Thankfully, she brought a fan and cold packs that they placed on Pickles chest to cool him down in between showing at 1 p.m. for the market judging and later in the afternoon for senior showmanship.
Sexton placed third in her weight class and received a blue ribbon for market. She received a purple ribbon in both senior showmanship and for her interview.
What Sexton missed most this year was the social atmosphere of the fair. She missed hanging out with her friends from other 4-H clubs that she has gotten to know over the years. Sexton said she felt bad for the new 4-Hers since they weren't able to socialize and ask questions for help from the leaders.
Sexton said she had a girl ask her what to wear and how she should dress her steer.
"I tried to help as much as I could but I really couldn't because of the whole social distancing," said Sexton. "Everyone was at their own place and they couldn't really come over and help. They were kind of on their own."
She also missed the carnival because that was something her friends outside of 4-H would come for and then she had the opportunity to share more about 4-H with them.
"In Seeley, most of the kids that go to my school don't really know what I do," said Sexton. "It was an opportunity to show who I am."
The Sextons brought Pickles back to the Fair Saturday morning for the live auction. He sold for $3.50 per pound and he weighed 1,245 pounds. Sexton said she spent just over $2,000 purchasing him and feeding him and was excited about the price he brought. She said she will use the money to purchase another steer for next year.
"He was an easy steer this year because my last year's steer was really expensive," said Sexton who added they also saved money this year because they didn't have to get a hotel for the week. "Each year it varies on how much food they need in order to gain what they need."
Results for Potomac Valley 4-H Club will be included next week with photos.
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