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Cock-a-doodle-doo! “Fitzy” was not shy at all about showing off his major talent—crowing—while having his picture taken. Victoria Schroeder, 13, and her sister have a few other birds entered in breed classes at the Porter County 4-H Fair, about a dozen in all, but Fitzgerald, the Buff Orpington, seems destined to win in the Crowing Contest, set for 10 a.m. Friday morning, if his noise level Tuesday was any indicator. Schroeder, a Liberty Hotshots member, will be a seventh grader at Chesterton Middle School this fall.

Stars in her eyes: Stardust, a two year-old mare, got her first taste of the Porter County 4-H Fair this week. Her owner Chris Hughes, 15, brought the young mare to the fair to enter her in Halter classes, a judgment of a horse’s conformation, or build and beauty. Lobo Stardust Dancer, her full name, is too young yet to be ridden, but Hughes, a Chesterton High School freshman, hopes to have her trained sufficiently by next year’s fair to enter into the riding competitions. Hughes is a member of the Liberty Hotshots 4-H group.

Two for the show: All dressed up and ready for the show at the Porter County 4-H Fair Tuesday were Liberty Hotshots Jessica Gamblin, 14, and Heather Walda, 15. The two were on their way to compete in the English Equitation class at the fair. Gamblin, a Chesterton High School freshman, is astride Bud, a 21 year-old Quarterhorse gelding. Walda rides Big Mac, a 14 year-old Quarterhorse gelding.

Project pals: Madelin Zahrn, 14, and her friend Dani Paliga, 15, have their horses in adjacent stalls at the Porter County 4-H Fair this year. The two are shown here with their horses just prior to the English Equitation class Tuesday. Buster (left) is an eight year-old Quarterhorse gelding, while Schnapps is a 21 year-old Arabian mare. Both girls will be Chesterton High School freshmen this fall.

(Tribune photos by Margaret L. Willis)

Posted 7/26/2006