Rylee Johnson and Emma Thompson are up every summer morning and at their family hog barn by 7:30. "They have to be fed," Rylee says pointing to her Berkshire barrow that waits in the wash rack at the Missouri State Fair swine barn.

The sisters feed and water their 4-H hogs as well as clean pens every day during the summer. Then there is the walking. "Twice a day," Emma adds. But all that work is paying off.

SISTER SHOW: Rylee Johnson and her sister Emma Thompson keep all of their show pig gear in an aluminum tack box that hangs on their pens at the Missouri State Fair. These two showmen took part in the market hog show. It was Emma's first time exhibiting at the state fair.

The two take part in the Missouri Pork Association Youth Show Pig Circuit attending county fairs and jackpot shows around the state. This year, they have already made a mark receiving Reserve Grand Champion Hampshire barrow at the Grundy County Fair and Grand Champion market gilt at the Livingston County Fair.

Emma says that being involved in showing livestock taught her how to care for animals and be a better showman. She actually finds washing hogs the best part of owning an animal. "It is just fun."

This year, the sixth grader at Laredo R-7 is making her Missouri State Fair debut in the show ring. She says the practice this summer helps calm her nerves.

More than the show

For Rylee, age 13 and a member of the Show-Me 4-H Club, raising and caring for livestock is a family tradition. Her older sister, Carlee first started showing hogs. "I went along with her and found I really like it," she explains. Then she started showing her own barrows and gilts.

Rylee finds that showing livestock develops responsibility. "They rely one you," she notes. "You have to be there consistently to take care of their needs every day."

CARING FOR ANIMALS: Attending to the needs of her Berkshire hogs includes daily baths, according to Rylee Thompson. It includes washing and rinsing at the county fairs and the Missouri State Fair.

But she admits being involved in livestock shows is more than just tradition and caring for animals. "Showing livestock taught me about sportsmanship," she says. "It taught me to be nice to others, congratulate the winners. That is really an important part of being involved in showing pigs."

Both girls admit that meeting other exhibitors at fairs makes all the work worthwhile. "It is just fun hanging around with people in the barn and getting to know them," Rylee adds.