The Prairieland Junior Ag Showcase started Wednesday in Saskatoon with 4-H members participating in light horse, sheep and beef events.

Leigh Ann Hurlburt is Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager. She says this event is the highlight of the year for the young participants, ages 9 to 21.

“They work all year on their projects, and they are so excited to come and mingle with friends they’ve made from other clubs and be able to showcase what they’ve done with their project for the year.”

The Junior Ag Showcase is split into two parts. Wednesday and Thursday feature light horse events such as English, Western, trail, reigning, and speed. 

“The exhibitors are having a great time cheering each other on and working very hard in the ring, concentrating. It’s great to watch.”

After a one-day break on Friday, Saturday will see 52 sheep and their owners take part in a sheep show.

“We have the highest number of sheep that we’ve had in years at this event, which is awesome…It’s going to be fairly noisy,” she admits.

After the sheep are herded out, team grooming with the beef clubs takes over at 4:30. There are about 88 beef participants this year.  

“Our numbers are starting to grow again, it’s kind of the cycle of 4-H. We have lots of young members coming back in, and they are very excited to be coming.”

Then, the beef heifer show goes Sunday, and the finished steer show wraps up the event on Monday with the 4-H steer sale that evening.