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During school, Sarah Coyner gets up at 4 a.m. to feed her calves and then after school takes care of her lambs.

The lambs that she purchased in February are now ready for the sheep showmanship portion of the Moffat County Fair and the sale.

The 4-H sheep showmanship competition took place Wednesday night. The participants were graded on showmanship and the condition of the sheep they showed.

Contestants submit record books and answer questions on raising and caring for their sheep. They also must know the parts of the lamb and be able to name and point them out to the judge.

"Winning (is my favorite part of showing sheep) and showmanship," Coyner, 16, said. "You get judged on you and your lamb."

Coyner's lambs Zeus and Hercules, weigh in at 147 and 139 pounds, respectively. Sheep must weigh at least 100 pounds to be eligible for the sale and buyers do not pay for sheep that weigh more than 130 pounds.

4-H has taught Coyner responsibility.

"You can't just go out and play all the time," Coyner said. "You have to take care of your animals. I would recommend it (being in 4-H) to anyone."

Washing sheep, which needs to be done before showing them, takes an hour with their wool and about fifteen minutes without it.

Coyner said she uses Woolite to wash the sheep.

"It makes the sheep look whiter," Coyner said.

There are tricks to making the sheep look bigger.

"You want their legs to be big and round," Coyner said. "You can brush the hair on their legs the wrong way and that will make their legs look bigger."

Katryna Snowden, 12, received reserve grand champion for sheep showmanship. She said she loves 4-H and the fair because they allow her to have livestock.

"I live in town," Snowden said of why she can't keep animals. "My uncle keeps them on his place."

Karissa Maneotis, 10, also received reserve grand champion.

"I like learning responsibility," Maneotis said. "I like all the opportunities they (4-H) give you in showmanship."

Getting last place is what she likes least about sheep showmanship.

"No matter what happens (when you are showing animals), grin and bear it," Coyner said. "My friend had a steer step on his foot when he was showing it and it broke three bones in his foot. He finished out the show with a smile."

Liz King is an intern with the Craig Daily Press. She can be reached at 824-7031 or eking@craigdailypress.com.