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Riley and Roxy show ‘what they’re made of’
By Krista Goerte
Published April 17, 2009
Weaving her way confidently through the livestock barn at the Lamar County Fairgrounds, 11-year-old Riley Davidson moves like the seasoned exhibitor she is.
Her lamb, Roxy, probably outweighs her owner by more than 30 pounds, but Riley doesn’t have any problem managing her, despite facing a difficulty most children never even think about. Riley handles Roxy with only a left hand, but anyone watching her around the animal would have to look closely to notice. Because she has a faulty right arm, she has learned to compensate to the point that she says it doesn’t affect her at all, in the show ring or out.
Now in her third year of competing at the Lamar County Junior Livestock Show, Riley finished showing her lamb and rabbits Thursday and eagerly awaited to hear whether sixth place Roxy made it to the sale tonight. Talking excitedly to friends and her parents about the show, Riley exuded good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.
“I really like doing this,” Riley said. “It’s really fun.”
She said her favorite part about the livestock show is “being able to show what you are made of, being able to do what you love and having fun while you are doing it.”
Riley said her dad helps her out with feeding and day-to-day care of her lamb, rabbits and other animals. She said they have worked together since the beginning of the year to get Roxy in show ring shape, which includes breaking and walking the animal.
“Mostly they have to be muscled up, because that’s what the judge looks for,” Riley said. “(Working with the animal) the whole time you’ve had it makes it really good, really muscled up,” she said.
The Blossom Elementary student and Prairiland FFA member said she loves to show; her parents, Nelia and Chad Davidson, said she just loves animals, period.
Riley said she wants to continue showing throughout her school career — in fact, she said she likes being outside and with her animals much more than she likes being in the classroom. She keeps busy with her schoolwork and animals, but is also playing basketball this year as well.
Riley also has three horses at home, and said riding is her favorite thing to do. She said when she gets bigger, she would love to barrel race.
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