We caught up with Ms. Kate Melody, exhibitor of the Grand Champion 4-H Commercial Ewe at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Learn a little more about Kate below!
How long have you been showing sheep?
I have been showing sheep for 12 years!
What was your favorite thing about this lamb?
My ewe is a the sixth generation in our heard which is cool for us to see the success through selective breeding. Ginger is her name that comes from her brown tinted ears!
Go-to “hype” song on show day?
My dad’s favorite that he plays to get everyone loose either full blast in the car on the way down or on the speaker is “Jump Around” by: House of Pain. I have grown to love this one!
What goes through your head when you are in the show ring?
I am focused on the judge while also checking to make sure my lamb is set up correctly. I also think about the hard summer work that has been put it to make all of this possible by the grace of God. He will guild us on his path rather than what we would like.
When prepping for a show, what is something that is a “must-have” in the show box?
I always like to crack open a fresh bloom and make sure the pro polish is ready to go for ring side cooling for the lamb.
What is your favorite motivational quote?
“The hours you spend out in the barn together as a family when nobody is watching are the ones that define your drive in the ring, together.”
