WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) -Â The Auglaize County Junior Fair hosted a competition for children to show off their skills working with horses.Â
The Auglaize County Fair began their Monday junior fair festivities with the Junior Fair Horse and Pony Show.
In the show, 4-H members ages 6 to 18 showcased their ability to care for their horse while also displaying their showmanship.
The contest is part of the fair's series of shows focused on livestock and kids showing their hard work over the past few months.
Fair board members said the participants' dedication to their craft showcases the heart of the junior fair.
"People get up super early to wash their horse and just prepare and brush it out. Some even blow dry their animals," said Miya Thobe, Junior Fair board member. "The prep is just amazing. They put so much time into them, so much effort, and seeing it all work together and then them showing to their best effort really just brings out the spirit of just the Auglaize County Fair."
Competition participants said working with the horses showed off their personalities and allowed them to connect with both the animals and themselves.
"You're trying to learn their personality and try to connect with them because they're just like people," said Harley Mertz, show participant. "They have different things like some people are lazy and you have to just work with them and you just got to learn what pushes them, what drives them.
"They connect you with your soul and help you feel better about everything in life. It's amazing what an animal can do when you have a good bond with them," said Evelyn Caprilla, another show participant.
The junior fair will continue their series of livestock contests throughout the week, and the livestock will be released Aug. 8.
