Show Stock Buddies debuts Saturday at the fair

A group of people at this year’s Adair County Fair are setting out to prove that anybody can show livestock. They would like the public to let them showcase that in a show 7 p.m. Saturday night in the show arena at the fairgrounds.

Marissa Christensen of Stuart and Treva Rohrig of Orient are just two of those with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will be exhibiting livestock in the first-ever Show Stock Buddies Show.

Their moms are the ones who pioneered the idea here, after each of their families were heavily involved in the Bacon Buddies event at the Iowa State Fair last August.

Officially putting this event on are members of the Orient Bulldogs and Jefferson Pioneers 4-H Clubs. Next year, the clubs plan to involve a wider scope of area 4-Hers.

During this event, two 4-H members will be paired up with a buddy to exhibit a pig, sheep or goat. There will be 10 buddies and 20 mentors in the show, which has an official photographer and an official videographer booked to enhance the experience.

Christensen, 23, graduated in 2017 from West Central Valley High School. She has loved competing in Special Olympics and looks forward to showing a sheep at the Show Stock Buddies Show. In the past, she has shown goats, rabbits and dogs.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to watch all those other kids show their ability,” Christensen said. “So many don’t get the opportunity to do that at the fair.”

Christensen especially enjoyed showing a pig in Bacon Buddies last year.

“It was a good opportunity,” she said. “Watching and being with the mentors was a lot of fun.”

Christensen’s brother, Cameron, will be showing goats and a cow at the fair. Her sister, Madison, will be showing a goat. Both are going to be mentors for Show Stock Buddies.

Treva Rohrig, 5, will be the youngest buddy in the Show Stock Buddies event, however she’s very excited to take on the challenge of showing a lamb. Her siblings, Tucker and Taylor, are showing pigs at the fair. They will also be mentors for Show Stock Buddies.

“This was so well-received by the fair board. Everyone’s been supportive and it has been incredible,” said Heidi Rohrig, Treva’s mother.

Each of the buddies will not only get to show an animal during this event, but they’ll be able to help in the pre-show process. The Show Stock Buddies Show will be after all the other livestock events, so as to not stress the animals before they go in front of the judge for their own show.

“I believe that every single person should get to experience showing livestock if they have any interest at all,” Heidi said. “I hope the mentors take the time to truly get to know and help each buddy have the best 4-H experience possible. Our constant prayer is that Treva (and others) will always be included, loved and never miss an experience.”

Lori Christensen said she’s been overwhelmed by the support of sponsors and others involved in the planning process of this opportunity for the 10 buddies who will participate.

“It has just snowballed into this huge event. We’ve had a lot of donations. People have asked how they can help. We’ve gotten a lot of donations from our 4-H clubs and outside of 4-H clubs,” Lori said. “This is near and dear to our hearts because we have a child with disabilities, and we try to get these opportunities where they wouldn’t always have them. I hope that people take away from this event that people with disabilities can do just as much as anybody else, but in their own way, their own time frame. They have just as much love for animals as anybody else would, so giving them that opportunity will grow that for them.”