4-H pet show went to the dogs, cats and ducks
Madelynn Mangen’s family came out in full support for the 4-H Pet Show. They were able to witness Madelynn and the family dog Dexter win the Intermediate Championship ribbon. In photo (L to R): Erik Mange, Madelynn Mange, Dexter, James Mangen and Aiden Mangen.
NEW ULM — Wednesday the Brown County Free Fair began with the annual 4-H Pet Show. The show featured local youth and their menagerie of pets, including the familiar dogs and cats to somewhat more unusual pets such as a Mallard duck and hermit crab.
Participants were interviewed by 4-H judge Mary Schroeder who was herself a long time 4H participant focusing on dog training. Being her first time judging, Schroeder’s overall impression was how fun it was to be on the other side of the table.
“To see how these kids love their pets was the best part of the experience,” Schroeder said.
The winners were announced at the end of the show:
Junior Category (Grades 3-5) Evelyn Eckstein Champion, Everly Jensen Reserve Champion
McKenzie Lilleodden, also known as The Duck Whisperer, answers questions during the 4-H Pet Show about her pet mallard named Jimma.
Intermediate Category (Grades 6-8) Madelynn Mangen Champion, Carter Dauer Reserve Champion
Senior Category (Grades 9+) Calleigh Frederickson Champion, Hunter Dauer Reserve Champion
Intermediate Champion, 12-year-old Madelynn Mangen from Sleepy Eye said she had been working with pets her whole life.
“My first dog Lillie was my teacher; she taught me how to jump up on the bed,” she said. “My favorite part of working with pets was teaching them tricks.” Her dog Dexter who she was showing was well trained. She was there with her father James Mangen and her two brothers Aiden and Erik.
Each of the participants did very well in the presentation and judging and it was challenging to pick winners, as they are all winners at the end of the day.
Twelve-year-old Madelynn Mangen was the Intermediate age Champion at the 4-H Pet Show with her dog Dexter.
McKenzie Lilleodden of Milford 4-H had one of the more unusual animals, a drake Mallard duck named Jimma who attracted a lot of attention from the visiting crowd. Whether perched on Lilleodden’s shoulder or cuddling in her arms, it was amazing to see a creature normally associated with being in the wild, be so tame and earning her the moniker of “Duck Whisperer.” At 15-years-old, Lilleodden has been working with ducks for nine years and two years with her buddy Jimma.
“The best thing about being in 4-H is being with friends.” She said as she was off to work in one of the food stands at the fair.
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- Madelynn Mangen’s family came out in full support for the 4-H Pet Show. They were able to witness Madelynn and the family dog Dexter win the Intermediate Championship ribbon. In photo (L to R): Erik Mange, Madelynn Mange, Dexter, James Mangen and Aiden Mangen.
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- McKenzie Lilleodden, also known as The Duck Whisperer, answers questions during the 4-H Pet Show about her pet mallard named Jimma.
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- Twelve-year-old Madelynn Mangen was the Intermediate age Champion at the 4-H Pet Show with her dog Dexter.
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- Calleigh Frederickson, the Senior Champion of the 4-H Pet Show stands with her feline friend during the show.
Calleigh Frederickson, the Senior Champion of the 4-H Pet Show stands with her feline friend during the show.
