By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
Ohio Correspondent

LEBANON, Ohio — All the friends one makes – that’s the highlight of 4-H for triplets Mack, Brittany and Kirk Walford, participants in the Warren County Fair and members of the 2011 Junior Fair Board (Kirk is president).

The trio puts in much time getting ready for the fair and they have a good time doing it. And, more than a little friendly competitive teasing goes on.

Mack took ribbons with his market lambs in market classes, livestock judging and in the sheep interviews, senior division. “I had two lambs and they got 30 minutes of stand time and they got worked on the ground,” he said, adding with a laugh, “They got a new sand arena for their birthday. We run them in the sand to help build muscle.”

Brittany’s ribbons were for hogs shown in the 4-H show and horses in the open show. She valued the experience and all the friends she met at the fair, she said. All during the summer she walked the pigs twice daily, washed, clipped and worked with them.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Kirk was the King of the Warren County Fair this year. He also won the equine Showman of Showmen and the versatility class. The Versatility class required English and Western tack and different styles of clothing for the four different divisions: English, stock seat, poles and barrels.

“You have to stay calm,” Kirk said. “It is a lot of pressure to change into four different styles of clothing. I was riding every day as much as I could as long as I could.

“You have to have dedication to it. You have to go into it full-hearted. No matter how bad you do, you have to bounce back from your mistakes and do it better.”

All three laughed when Brittany pointed out Kirk hadn’t known until the previous week that he could take part in the versatility class. “He didn’t know until last Friday he could do English because he couldn’t get boots that were big enough for his feet,” she explained.

The triplets’ parents, Rod and Tammy Walford, keep busy at the fair, too. Rod announces the horse show and Tammy, who is also a 4-H advisor, keeps track of the winners. They are proud of their kids’ participation in 4-H.

“It’s a great opportunity for them,” Rod said. “Especially with the market animals; I like that they learn what business is all about. I think it is a big character builder. It’s made them all good public speakers and good leaders.”