We caught up with Ms, Payge Dahmer exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2023 American Royal. Learn a little more about Payge below!
Grade: I’m currently a senior at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Tell us a little bit about your champion.
At the beginning of the year, I got a video of “Blue”, and I immediately knew that I wanted him in my barn for my last year in the ring. I had never shown a blue one, so I told my brother and Craig that he was going to be in my barn for the summer. However, I didn’t know the challenge that would come with him. “Blue” was the most stubborn lamb I have ever had when it came to getting him shown and keeping him on feed. It took a lot of time and effort to get him looking right by Kansas City, but it was all worth it!
Throughout your show career what’s been your favorite lamb?
I’ve had quite a few sheep that’ve been pretty special to me over the years, but in 2021 I won the state fair with a bottle lamb named Pablo that would have to be my favorite.
Do your prefer showing Wethers or Ewes?
I prefer to show wethers over ewes, but I have had a few memorable ewe lambs over the last few years.
Are you superstitious? If so, what are your superstitions?
I don’t necessarily think that I’m superstitious. I don’t have a set routine that I do on show day other than talk with my brother about what needs to be done with each lamb while in the ring.
It’s showday – what is one thing you can’t leave the hotel/house without?
On showday I usually can’t leave the house or hotel without some kind of energy drink and a good pair of starched jeans.
What do you tell yourself right before you go into the ring?
I usually tell myself that this is the reason I work so hard during the show season, but Kansas City was a little bit different this year. I told myself to just have fun because I knew that it would be the last time I enter the ring as a junior exhibitor.
Are you an early riser or a night owl?
I consider myself more of a night owl than an early riser. I would rather stay up late in the barn on summer nights than wake up early.
Who has been your biggest influence?
My older brother Payton and Craig Green have been my biggest influences in terms of showing sheep. Without the two of them I never would have been able to accomplish my goals for my last year as an exhibitor.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
My favorite thing to do in the barn would have to be working legs on my sheep. I don’t necessarily enjoy wrapping legs, but working them is certainly at the top of my list.
