Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Jared Tucker
Chasing pigs, wrestling goats, racing turtles, roping a dummy steer and saddling up on a wooden horse were among Saturday’s events during the Roosevelt County Fair Kid’s Day.
Seven-year-old Hayden Powell’s team took the best time in goat branding in the first round. Powell said he didn’t need any practice to earn the 8:88 time it took his team to wrestle down and “brand” the goat.
“I like it because you get to pick your own teams, you have a time to beat, and you get to flank them (the goats)” Powell said.
Powell said this is his third year competing in the children’s events at the Roosevelt County Fair.
The stick horse race, turtle race and goat branding were held inside the Pavilion, and the pig chase was held in the show arena.
The Show Arena was filled with a mixture of laughter and cheers as children from different age groups chased pigs around the arena, trying to snatch the Velcro collar off its neck.
Powell’s goat branding teammate, Jacob Derrer, 7, also competed in the turtle race. Derrer said the event was exciting for him because this was his first year to compete. Derrer said he was unsure if he wants to come back and do it again next year.
Hadlee Oder, 7, took first place in his class in dummy roping, and second place overall in the competition.
“Yeah, I practice quite a bit, actually,” Oder said.
Oder said this was his second year competing in the kids’ events.
Participation in the kid’s events was down from last year, according to Fair Board Member Jeanell Paiz.
Paiz said despite the lower participation numbers, the day was filled with fun, laughter and plenty of prizes for the winners.
“It definitely went smooth,” Paiz said, noting that she would like to thank the many local businesses and individuals who donated cash and prizes to be given out at the event.
Paiz said $815 in prizes were given away in the turtle race, a trophy for the pig race in each age group, and a belt buckle for first place in roping, and a trophy for the roping champion.
