A Shepherd's Voice

DONNELLSON - When people visit the Lee County Fair, they often see polished sheep, confident exhibitors, and exciting competitions in the show ring.  What many don't see is the months of dedication, early mornings, and daily responsibilities that make those few minutes in the ring possible.
For the young exhibitors, showing sheep is about much more than winning ribbons—it's about commitment, patience, and learning the value of hard work.
Preparing a sheep for the fair begins long before the gates open. Exhibitors spend weeks and even months caring for and training their animals so they are ready to perform in front of judges. Every day involves feeding, grooming, cleaning pens, and practicing with their sheep to make sure they respond well in the show ring.
Peter Seyb, a sheep exhibitor at the Lee County Fair, explained just how much preparation goes into getting ready for the competition.
"Lot of work like weeks and weeks up to the fair, you got to prepare your animals for the fair, you got to have them walk nice, and they got to be able to do what they need in the ring."
His experience highlights that success doesn't happen overnight. Teaching a sheep to walk calmly, stand correctly, and respond to its handler takes patience and consistency. Along with training, exhibitors are responsible for making sure their animals stay healthy through proper nutrition and daily care.

The work doesn't stop once summer arrives. Many exhibitors spend nearly every day in the barn, balancing their farm responsibilities with other summer activities. The long hours can be challenging, but the rewards make the effort worthwhile.
Mason Lampe, another exhibitor, described her  work she does throughout the season.
"(I) Just work all summer on being in the barn and spend all summer working and training these animals. It's pretty fun to see the work i did all summer pay off after I win."
Her words reflect the sense of accomplishment many exhibitors feel when they step into the ring. Whether they earn a blue ribbon or simply complete a successful show, the experience represents months of dedication and perseverance.
Beyond the competition, sheep wrangling teaches valuable life skills. Exhibitors learn responsibility by caring for their animals every day, even when the weather is hot or their schedules are busy. They develop patience through training sessions that don't always go as planned and build confidence by presenting their animals in front of judges and large crowds.
For many families, the Lee County Fair is more than an annual event—it's the celebration of an entire season of hard work. Every sheep in the ring represents countless hours spent in the barn, and every exhibitor carries the lessons they learned through caring for their animals.
The next time you watch the sheep show at the Lee County Fair, remember that every smooth lap around the ring and every ribbon awarded is backed by months of effort, determination, and dedication. Behind every successful exhibitor is a summer filled with hard work, proving that the greatest reward isn't just winning—it's seeing that hard work pay off.