By ISABELL HAYES
Newman 4-H Reporter
Newman 4-H Small Animal members recently participated in Stanislaus County Small Animal Skills Day, hosted by the County Small Animal committee and held at the County Ag Center in Modesto.
The event offered sessions in basic care, housing, feeding and management for poultry, cavies and rabbits. There was also a dog showmanship and obedience demonstration, a rabbit breed identification contest, showmanship competitions and an all species based Knowledge Bowl competition. The day long event was attended by 11 clubs and more than 80 youth participants.
Four Newman 4-H members, who are also members of the committee assisted with the skills event. Cailin Casey served as facilitator for rabbit members 9 years and older, teaching the basics of feeding, care and housing. Sophia Hayes assisted with showmanship basics.
Isabell Hayes assisted 7- and 8-year-old rabbit members with showmanship, basic care and housing, while Olivia Casey assisted the 5- and 6-year-old rabbit members with general questions and handling of their rabbits.
In the intermediate rabbit showmanship contest, Emily Drumonde placed second, Isabell Hayes placed first and Olivia Casey placed second in the senior showmanship class.
In cavy showmanship, Addison Martin placed second in intermediate showmanship and Olivia Casey placed first in senior.
In the breed identification classes, Addison Martins placed second in cavies; Olivia Casey placed first and Isabell Hayes placed second in rabbits.
The first place Knowledge Bowl team was made up o Isabell Hayes, Newman; Alice Parker, Turlock Eagles and Averi Croft, Sacred Heart. The second place team was made up of Emily Drumonde, Olivia Casey and Addison Martins, all Newman 4-H members. The third place team was made up of MaKenzie Miguel and Riley Heidman, Turlock Hoof N’ Horns and Brian Casey, Newman 4-H.