Vindy reporter gets hands dirty, steer clean
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
CANFIELD
Gary Hemphill glanced somewhat disapprovingly at my canvas sneakers.
Admittedly, I hadn’t known quite what I’d be getting into when I made my footwear selections that morning, but even I felt the slightest bit ridiculous standing in my not-at-all protective — but cute — shoes beside a 1,435-pound market steer named Larry.
My task was to wash him at this year’s Canfield Fair.
Gary — the father of 11-year-old Emily Hemphill, who had obtained the fuzzy, black Larry in a mid-October lottery when he weighed just about 500 pounds — tried to explain to me the gravity of the situation.
Basically, it was this: If he steps on your foot, it will, inevitably, be broken.
It was not a comforting thought.
Still, I elected to continue with the washing. If anything, it would be humorous for Gary and Emily to see me, the reporter who has followed them and their 4-H Club projects since February, attempting to do something so very foreign.
For the Hemphills of Berlin Center — including mother Wendy Hemphill and 17-year-old Abby Hemphill — a task such as washing a steer has become second nature.
Both Gary and Wendy belonged to 4-H when they were growing up.
Abby, a senior at Western Reserve High School who raised the 1,450-pound Moe and the 1,470-pound Curly, is in her sixth year as a member of 4-H.
Emily, a sixth-grader at Western Reserve, is in her third.
At least once each week from mid-October until now, the sisters washed their steers. They also washed them before and after shows at the fair, and might do it again before its end, just to keep them cool.
On Friday, it was my turn. I asked Abby and Emily for some advice.
Both girls, who belong to the Jackson-Milton Livestock Club, were reputable sources. At this year’s fair, they took first place in a number of categories and also placed in several others.
“We’ve had the most outstanding fair,” Wendy said. “The girls worked so hard. It’s nice to see them progress.”
With her 284-pound pig, Brick, Abby won first place in both showmanship, in which she was judged on how well she presented herself and worked with the animal, and in market, in which the overall animal was judged. Brick also was selected as the grand champion pig.
With her steer, she won another pair of first-place awards — again in the showmanship and market categories.
Emily’s first-place honors came thanks to Wilbur, her 277-pound pig, who helped her win in the market category, and to Larry, who helped her win in both the showmanship and market categories. Emily also raised a feeder calf, which weighs 481 pounds; another farmer will finish raising it.
Because of their successes, the Hemphill sisters will participate in Monday’s Showman of Showman contest, which pits the fair’s showmanship winners against others in their age range. The contest also showcases how well the winners work with a variety of animals.
Abby attributed her and her sister’s achievements to determination — and a lot of hard work. It had been a busy summer that was winding down as of late afternoon Friday, when all the shows had ended.
Larry just needed to be washed.
Abby said it wouldn’t take more than 10 or 15 minutes. She explained the process.
First, after tying up the animal, spray him with a concoction called Hocus Pocus, which helps to remove the hairspray-like adhesive used to keep his hair in place during shows. It’s helpful to let the oily substance soak in a little bit before proceeding.
Second, hose him down with water. Emily said this part is the hardest; you have to be careful not to “press the nozzle too hard.”
Third, squirt out some shampoo and scrub it in, then rinse it off.
Finally, blow dry and brush him.
It seemed easy enough. Abby offered another bit of advice.
“Be careful around them,” she added. “You never know if they’re going to kick or not.”
Emily chimed in: “You might get a little wet.”
Great.
Luckily, Larry was the steer who Abby had described as “relaxed” — as opposed to Moe, who will “headbutt you into a wall and then give you kisses,” and Curly, who was once a bit ornery but has “really calmed down.”
There was nothing to do but jump in.
My spraying, hosing, shampooing and blow-drying initially were more on the cautious and gentle side, but became the tiniest bit more aggressive once Gary reminded me that the hides I was dealing with were, obviously, the same sort of tough consistency as a leather jacket.
It helped, too, that Larry didn’t seem to mind my awkward attempts at washing him. He nonchalantly stood there, patiently waiting to be cleaned.
I’m happy to report that my feet were spared, as well.
The experience wasn’t as intimidating as it had first appeared, and I found myself contentedly scrubbing away and wishing that such an experience hadn’t come so late in life. (OK, I’m only 25, but you know what I mean.)
Though Abby and Emily admitted they’d have more time for extracurricular activities (Abby’s words) and for lying on the couch (Emily’s words), they couldn’t begin to imagine their lives without 4-H.
“It teaches responsibility,” Abby said. “I’d definitely be a lot different [without it].”