ABBY FREEMAN

Staff photo and caption by Gregory Rec

Abby Freeman is a little nervous as she waits with her calf, Linda, outside the livestock show ring at the Acton Fair. Abby, an 8-year-old from Hollis, is about to compete in her first 4-H dairy showmanship competition, and she has lots to remember.

While walking backward, she has to lead her Jersey calf and keep her eyes on the judge. When the judge asks her to stop, she must make sure Linda's front and back hooves are in line with each other. She must also maintain hand contact with the calf and make her walk by using only the halter.

After entering the ring, Abby finds that Linda is going to be stubborn about the walking. After a pause, the judge instructs Abby to start Linda walking again, but the 5-month-old calf seems intent on staying put. Abby plants her feet into the sawdust floor and leans way back, pulling on the halter with all of her 64 pounds. The calf, at twice her weight, seems to be winning the tug of war but gives in eventually and starts walking, making another circle around the ring.

In addition to the handling of their calves, contestants are judged on the cleanliness of their animals. "Her ears need to be cleaned. Her feet need to be cleaned. And she needs to have a haircut," Abby says.

It took Abby most of the morning to prepare Linda, first washing the calf, then brushing and trimming her. As a final touch, hair spray is added to fluff up Linda's tail and top line, the line at the top of the calf's back.

Around the livestock ring, everyone is quiet as the contestants line up to receive their ribbons. The judge awards Abby second place, commenting that she missed first because her calf's hind legs had some dirt on them.

Abby struggles again to get Linda moving, tugging on the halter and scrunching up her face with effort. She persuades Linda to move and they head out of the ring, where Abby finds her father and gives him a hug.

Back at her family's stall area, she ties Linda up and wraps her arms around her mother, looking up with a big smile. The pressure of competition is past and Abby is ready for some fun.

"Mom, can we get some cotton candy and go see the horses?" she asks.

Other Maine Faces:


Peter Bloom


Judy Nisbett


Merrill Currier


Amy Cote


Charlie Bassett


Caleb Farnum


Kevin Soucy


Russell Thompson