In showmanship, first impressions count.

In the Trade Show building at the Northwest Montana Fair on Tuesday, lambs were getting final touch-ups before entering the show ring. Standing in line, some 4-H and FFA competitors drew combs through the shagged wool of the show lambs’ legs. Last-minute spritzes of conditioning polish spray misted in the air in hopes it would bring out the luster of their slick-sheared wool.

Meanwhile, family and friends helped the competitors with their own appearance in the show ring by braiding hair, adjusting buttons, changing boots, pulling on jackets, and pinning on competition numbers.

The stage was finally set for the 2022 sheep showmanship competition.

“Let’s get this show started,” the announcer called over a loudspeaker.

The senior division was the first to go.

Filing into the ring, competitors looped around and lined up, where they work quickly set up the lambs in the proper stance. Standing in front of their sheep, the competitors braced against them in a lunge, cupping their heads upward. Every so often a competitor reached out to adjust their sheep’s legs in order to help them maintain a squared stance.

Watching from the sidelines, Kylie Boucher, a competitor in the junior novice division, leaned against the green rails of the show ring, watching the older youth compete trying to glean what she could. Her division would be the last to go.

“I need more intensity,” Boucher said, after hearing the judge’s evaluation of the group.

This year, she was showing her lamb Jack Frost. This was her second year showing sheep and while it gets easier, it still takes time to care for a show lamb.

“You have to make sure the water is clean, no bugs in it. Make sure he’s eating the right amount. If he’s eating all of his food up, give more so he gains more weight. You just gotta look out for the little details to make sure he’s not sick or any of that,” she said.

When it comes to grooming Boucher said she washes him often.

“It makes him look nicer because he has spots, so I want it to show because that’s him,” she said, shrugging with a smile.

STANDING NEARBY, friend and fellow junior novice competitor, Emilee Underhill, sought comfort from Kylie Boucher’s grandmother as her nervousness intensified. This was her first time competing.

“Deep breaths, deep breaths, you’re good,” Cindy Vaughn-Mildred said.

Later in the ring, there is no trace of tears from Underhill, who stood next to her friend as they showed their lambs with confidence and energy.

Kylie Boucher is following in the footsteps of her mother, Josie, who also showed sheep and said 4-H is a great experience for children.

“I think it teaches them a lot of responsibility, which at a young age, these kids have. It’s pretty awesome to get them involved and they catch on and start doing their own things,” Josie Boucher said.

For the youths, the competition is a culmination of months not just caring for the lambs' health needs, but also training.

“Throughout the entire summer, every time she walks her lamb she has to work on setting it up, touching its legs, getting it used to being handled,” Josie Boucher said.

It’s a challenge taming sheep.

“Well, when you grab their legs they kick at you and try to bite you. You gotta get used to getting them touched, push them back and not let them cut in front of you,” Kylie Boucher said.

As she turned her gaze back to the competitors in the ring, her mother offered words of encouragement and shared what she thought the judge was looking for.

“So far I’ve heard her say she likes your lamb to be set up quickly and into place, right?” Josie Boucher said.

“Yeah,” Kylie Boucher responded.

“Make sure you listen to what she says after every single class,” Josie Boucher said.

SOON THE senior division was pared down to the top competitors. Sheep showmanship judge Mari Morris took longer to evaluate the competition before making a final decision on ranking.

After careful consideration, Morris called out the top four and said what set them apart came down to “consistency in covering the basics,” with an intensity that captured her attention.

“They’re very professional and poised in their presence and very natural in the way they go about showing sheep — which I can attest [to] is not a natural thing whatsoever,” Morris said.

Morris said she chose opposites in showmanship style for grand champion and reserve champion.

“The one who's going to end up in the lead is one who's just an absolute firecracker. This person really had my attention from the gate.” Morris said.

Morris noted the performance was “rock solid,” before announcing Laila Sargent as senior division grand champion.

Morris described reserve champion Paige Morrison’s style as “calm and collected,” a style that could have gotten lost in the crowd, but stood out to the judge for her “quiet confidence.”

“That’s what gets fun when the talent is this good you can start to incorporate your own style and flair with it,” she said.

Walking outside the ring, Laila Sargent was met with broad smiles, hugs and congratulations from friends, fellow competitors and family, including her grandparents Ron and Candy Sargent, who raised sheep commercially for about eight years in the 80s.

This was Laila Sargent’s first year competing in the senior division and the summer has been a busy one preparing by participating in jackpot shows located as far as Reno, Nevada. These “jackpot shows” are opportunities for youths to get more experience exhibiting livestock before county or state fairs, according to multiple state Extension and 4-H websites.

“I think finding your thing that you’re really good at, and that you just love to do — lights a fire in you — is really important to have,” she said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.