>> Funding for fair 2021 is brought to you by friends, the Iowa PBS foundation.

And by -- >> Since 1911 EMC insurance has partnered with local independent insurance agents to provide protection to our customers.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, EMC serves policy holders through 20 locations across the country.

Count on EMC.

>> Caring for pigs is not just an individual job.

It truly does take a village to put a safe, healthy food on your table and keep farming sustainable.

>> Investing in a college savings Iowa 529 account can give your future scholars financial support to pursue their educational dreams.

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♪♪ >> Hey everyone.

I'm bill Riley.

The focus of our state zooms in on these fairgrounds this time of year.

It's Iowa state fair time.

The spectacle of spectacles.

A unique and wholesome experience.

And it was always a family affair for me when I was growing up.

My mom and dad were both a big part of the happenings out here.

Iowa PBS has been our eyes and ears of the fair for over 50 years.

We're well under way on our next 50 years and thrilled to be here.

Tonight we've got some great highlights.

Don't be aharmed but folks are hurling cow chips as hard as they can outside pioneer hall.

The little ones are trying their hand at farming.

And the glamour of the society horse show is a sight to behold at the Jacobsen exhibition center.

Let's get started by show casing beards.

No, not of lions, seals, or even your dog Fido.

I mean of men.

Manly men.

It's the beard growing contest.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> The beard stands for dignity and wisdom, strength and courage.

The beard exhibits intelligence.

The beard is dignified.

It is a symbol of wealth, power, and importance.

The beard is a very personal thing.

It shows character and wisdom.

What we see today will go down in history each a blue ribbon winner in his own right.

>> Good morning everyone.

Welcome to the Iowa state fair.

Welcome to the beard contest.

>> Now a little intimidated.

There are some nice beards up here.

But, really, it's kind of exciting and fun to do this.

I don't know about y'all.

But I quite enjoy it being around a lot of other beards.

>> I'm here today to support my dad.

>> And this beard kind of gets groomed when I lean over the forge when I'm blacksmithing so it's kind of fire trimmed.

>> It's grown on me, the beard >> I started growing this a year ago in February.

When the governor said all the barber shops are closed.

I just quit shaving.

>> I start growing this thing, probably, well, Labor Day of last year.

Started this four years ago and I brought my barber so he could see all this glorious work that you did.

>> Now we are lucky to have the Iowa state fair queen measuring their beards this morning.

>> I like them.

I think they're fun.

I mean, it was cool to be able to judge something like that.

It's different.

I'm here supporting my brother Dakota.

This is his seventh year in the beard contest and I think he has been sporting his beard as long as he could grow one.

>> Originally started growing my beard because my wife didn't like it and I told her there is not a chance I'm getting it shaven until I at least get a blue ribbon.

>> The big one.

First place goes to 227.

[Cheers and Applause] >> I think it had to.

It's come to the beard before me so -- super proud.

It's a lot of work.

It really is.

Takes him longer to get ready than me.

He started stealing my hair products, my blow Dryer.

Used my straightener.

Now he has his own.

So yeah.

I am proud of him I guess.

>> I think that having a beard is not just for us.

This is -- our beards are on behalf of all men.

>> The history of quilting dates back to ancient times.

It is said medieval warriors wore quilted garments under their armor for protection, comfort, and warmth.

It is no wonder an event like the Iowa state fair steeped in history and tradition hold a decades long annual quilting competition.

So we've seen a lot of people dropping off entries.

What makes an exquisite quilt?

>> I think there's a lot of things that go into that.

There's the use of color.

There's accurate piecing or whatever technique is used to create that quilt.

There is just that wow factor.

>> An ear of corn.

Look at that.

>> Can I ask you about this quilt?

So you're entering this quilt in the competition.

>> Yes.

>> Can you tell me a little bit about it?

>> This is my daughter's graduation quilt.

She graduate from Iowa state this may.

She has always wanted a giant ear of corn.

And I didn't want to make it and so she requested this for a graduation quilt so I had to make a giant ear of corn.

>> Very cool.

Very Iowa.

>> Yes.

>> So how many entries do you have this year?

>> Seven.

>> Oh, great.

How often do you come to the fair to enter?

>> Well, I am pretty new to Iowa.

This is my third time to enter.

Three years in a row.

>> Great.

Are you excited to see what the judges have to say?

>> I am very excited about it and just passionate about quilting and when I come to see all the beautiful stuff people have done quilting and the human hours that are in just one quilt, times, you know, hundreds of quilts, there's a lot to see here.

>> Oh, yes.

You guys do a beautiful job.

So creative.

>> We have a junior division and there is a lot of budding seamstresses out there and we don't have an age limit.

We've got it divided between kids -- kiddos under 10 and then 10 to 18.

We would just really like for that division to grow.

>> Can you tell me a little about your quilts you're submitting today?

>> I just made a quilt that, with four or five fabrics.

I hand stitched the binding, so I made it with my grandma.

>> What do you think keeps people coming back every year for this competition?

>> Well, I think that spirit of competition for one thing.

However, I always tell people just showing at the state fair, you know, you share your work.

You share your talent.

A ribbon is nice but not everybody is going to win a ribbon.

People love the fair and they want to support the fair.

And that's a big thing.

I have very loyal exhibitors, very loyal exhibitors.

>> Once the judging is done the hard work and the talent of the winning quilters will go on display for all fair goers to enjoy.

>> Little hands on the farm is an interactive exhibit at the Iowa state fair where Justin north of the animal learning center and it's for kids that are 10 and under to come in here and learn about every day life of farming and how it impacts their life.

Kids start at the start barn and are welcomed by our volunteers.

We went to a map with a stamp on it.

They will visit each station and are handed a pamphlet that map of little hands on the farm and as they visit the stations they get a stamp.

Then they make their way to the swine barn.

They are taught they have to take a fake shower when they go in just to let them know that we can spread diseases to the animals so we also have to be clean.

They check the pigs' food and water to make sure they are Fed.

After that they make their way to the garden and they plant their vegetables in the garden, which is a hit with the kids.

Then they make their way this year to grain bin.

It's soybeans and in there they look for products in their home made out of soy.

Like some people they don't realize that candles and milk and Crayons are made of soy.

They make their way to the apple Orchard.

They are used to picking apples and baskets but because of Covid we are doing a little more hands off things.

They talk about the different kinds of apples and what is their favorite type of apple and how many apples does it take to make apple cider.

They make their way to the chicken barn and the products that come from the eggs.

It is new this year.

A lot of kids didn't know marshmallows have eggs in them or mayonnaise has eggs in it.

They make their way over to one of the favorites, the tractor barn, and put the diesel in the tractor and make their way to the beef barn and learn about products we get from beef.

After that they make their way to the sheep barn and they learn about what we use wool for and how sheeps are used on the farm.

And they get to comb the sheep and make it beautiful.

They make their way to the milking station which is also very popular.

We have two cows in there.

Bessie and little Bessie.

And the kids get to milk them and learn about all the products Bessie and little Bessie give us on the farm.

After that they get to take their punch card to the store for all of their hard work in taking care of their animals and doing their chores.

Then they get a treat as a reward for that.

We do get a lot of thank yous.

We appreciate this.

Parents so much appreciate an area of the state fair that is not super crowded, that's safe for their kids and they're learning about how agriculture affects them.

>> And now I like this one.

>> The garden?

>> And the chicken and cows.

>> I like picking apples.

I like growing things.

And I like to have some tractor riding and going around doing fun stuff.

>> Trivia time.

Are you ready?

The cultural center was built in 1949 and dedicated in 1950.

It was the original girls 4H dormitory with three floors, of bunk bed cots.

How many girls could it accommodate?

250?

500?

750?

Or 1,000?

Hum.

That's interesting.

We'll give you the answer in our next half hour.

Now let's reflect on another decade of Iowa PBS's 50 years of state fair highlights by checking out the last ten years or so.

We've entered the modern age of Iowa state fair coverage at Iowa PBS.

When I took over as host in 2012 I became even more impressed with the depth of our stories, the breadth of our coverage, and the television professionals I get to work with here.

>> I'm charity and I'm not ashamed to say the number one reason I come to the fair is for the food.

>> They jump.

They flip.

They even walk side ways on walls.

>> Not only do Iowans like to go to the Iowa state fair.

>> There's one thing we've always known about the fair.

If you have a passion, there is a place for it.

And there is something so wholesome and sincere about the effort fair goers put into every endeavor.

>> Knock-knock.

>> Who's there?

>> Impatience chicken.

>> Impatient chicken?

[ Laughter ] >> It fills our hearts seeing people doing what they do best, trying their hardest, and having a lot of fun.

We consider it an honor and a privilege to bring the fair to folks at home.

It is a lot of work but in the end we're proud to do something so many Iowans truly enjoy.

It's part of who we are.

From covering the parade through a camera in the one Doe to broadcasting it live in HD.

From the ridiculous to the sublime we've been there for all of it.

The last 50 years with the fair have been a blast and we're looking forward to 50 more.

>> To bring this today for the veterans is important to honor those men and women from the state of Iowa that have served our nation.

99% of the people that I've seen this morning come up and say thank you for your service.

That's who Iowans are.

They appreciate and understand the sacrifice it takes to wear a nation's uniform.

As a national guardsman I was in prior to 9/11.

When 9/11 happened it changed the trajectory of my career.

I've been deployed overseas six times.

Many of our fellow Iowa guardsmen both army and air have been deployed overseas multiple times since 9/11.

I served in Afghanistan.

It's disappointing where we're at today.

I led 3,500 soldiers from Iowa.

They're always in my heart and mind.

>> Your grand marshal is lieutenant general Charles horner.

He was born in Davenport and is an alumni of urbandale high school.

General horner graduated from the university of Iowa.

>> In desert storm I was the commander for all air operations so I had the Marines, the navy, the Air Force, plus I also had all the coalition partners.

We had quite a force symbol.

If you're from Iowa you're an Iowan.

You can't escape it.

The roots run deep.

So when they said would you like to come back and be our grand marshal I said, love to come back.

>> In the front seat is former Iowa governor Terry Branstad the longest serving governor in the United States and recent United States Ambassador to China.

Before you is the paralyzed veterans of America.

The miniature submarine going past you is just a replica of many that were built by the navy over the years.

The George Washington carver carried about 115 members when they left for patrol.

The crew of the U.S.S.

Iowa, SSN-797 nuclear attack submarines ship sponsor Miss Christie VILSAK, commander Randy Reever.

>> The U.S.S.

Iowa is a Virginia class submarine.

She will be the fourth named after the state of Iowa.

My executive officer is from Iowa.

I have about five crew members in addition to him from Iowa.

So we're kind of lucky in that we have quite a bit of representation from the state.

>> Gary leafler drives a 1957 Ford 860 freedom tractor.

His wife Janelle accompanies him.

15 members of the leafler family have served our country.

Their names are listed on the side of the tractor.

Wells Fargo veterans connection chaired by Elaine McDonald and John kincannon.

Dave grant and John Malone Vietnam veterans with the three squadron 5th U.S. Cavalry.

Central Iowa base, virtual mobile clinic.

>> Iowans are so proud of the military.

It doesn't matter whether you're Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal, you still hold a great reverence for the men who serve our country.

And so that makes me proud to be in the military.

>> Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us in thanking our veterans today attiteway state fair.

>> Good afternoon.

Let's hear from our host for the 39th governors series show governor Kim Reynolds.

>> The celebrity contestants are making their way into the live stock pavilion.

Of course being led by governor Kim Reynolds for the 39th edition of this competition.

The governor's charity steer show was started by then governor Terry Branstad back in 1983.

Since the beginning, all the proceeds from the auction which follows this event have been donated to the Ronald McDonald house charities of Iowa.

The 24 competitors are lined up and the celebrity interviews are under way.

>> I am so proud of these young kids that raised these steers and spend the time with them and then bring them here to show them.

>> 364 days a year we're a team.

This is the one exception to that.

The gloves are off today between governor and I.

>> Steer's name is holiday and I just want to say that meat goes very well on any holiday.

>> I have never shown before.

Nelson knows he's a winner.

>> You never answered e-mail that says do you like cows.

No.

You say yes.

Of course I love cows.

Here I am showing a steer for the first time in the Iowa state fair.

>> And making one of my dreams come true.

I've always wanted to show a steer.

Today is the day.

>> This year's steer judge is Ben Kelly from Dallas center.

While Kelly looks over the field, we spoke with governor Reynolds.

>> I love it.

I love the people cheering on their teams.

They raise -- these kids have to raise money to come here and show.

They get the steers ready, then they have to raise money.

It is great to see the competition.

That's healthy, too.

To see the kids compete and it's just a lot of fun and show cases the best of the best.

>> While Kelly is thinking about who to select, let's go to the other side of the ring for the presentation of the community hero award.

It's CAMI shrunk, the owner of the steer, Mcdash.

Next is the battle for the people's choice award.

The crowd is making this one difficult.

The judges are conferring.

It's Eric Hansen showing Buford T. Justice.

Now it's time to give out the award for showmanship.

It's showing hero.

We're going back to the other side of the arena where Ben Kelly has selected his top five.

>> I like cattle that are balanced and when you get them stouter it is harder to make them move right.

When you can walk good and have a good look and good ring presence and a lot of muscle that is the kind of animal I'm looking for.

We have four or five steers out here that do this very well for me.

First and foremost I'd like to thank governor Branstad and governor Reynolds for continuing a great tradition.

I think it's just outstanding when we marry youth and agriculture and charity together.

I am looking for an animal with a tremendous amount of product in him, one that has muscle shape and when you get to the rear third of his body he's incredibly MUS Laher.

Good luck to everybody.

Thank you for doing this.

I'll go out and pick your champion steer.

>> It's Jeff Angulo showing Nelson owned by lane elmQUIST.

>> This is my very first time showing in any kind of show and it was an honor, it is an honor to be part of the great Iowa state fair.

This is a once in a lifetime experience.

To have that feeling that our kids get when the judge walks up to your steer and you know he's going to put his hand on it, that is just the greatest feeling in the world.

>> This is an amazing experience.

Just knowing it is for the greater cause makes it even better.

>> And that's how we finished up at the live stock pavilion.

>> Did you win a ribbon at the fair this year?

Congratulations.

Here are some of the lucky and talented winners.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> We'll take a short break to rack up some more highlights for you just like these.

The Frisbee entertainers and first time food contest entrants.

We'll see you in a minute or two back here on Iowa PBS.

>> Hi I'm bill Riley.

One of the most entertaining traditions at the Iowa state fair is the talent championships.

PBS will be there to cover the fantastic talents of young Iowans from across our state.

Prepare to be impressed.

Tune in Sunday night at 8:00 for the bill Riley championships only on statewide Iowa PBS.

>> Welcome to Iowa PBS passport the best way to stream your favorite PBS shows with thousands of hours to choose from and something new every week.

Lions, Llamas, leopards, monkeys, mules, wolves, wart hogs.

Oh, my.

It's TV for you.

Everything you love about Iowa PBS on demand at your finger tips.

Go wild and lose yourself in Iowa PBS passport.

>> 14,000 islands on the lake.

It is amazing some of the stuff no one has ever seen.

>> I've always said this is the best kept secret in Minnesota.

People just don't know about us.

>> Hello I'm bill Riley inviting you to join me for coverage of this week's Iowa state fair.

All week long we've brought you highlights on a nightly basis.

Now you can enjoy all six hours beginning at 2:00 Sunday afternoon followed by the always exciting talent championships at 8:00 p.m. We're celebrating our great Iowa state fair.

Hope you can join us Sunday from 2:00 to 8:00.

>> The competition is really tightening up down at the Riley stage as the week goes by.

Here are some acts that marched on.

Don't forget we'll bring you the talent championships right here on Iowa PBS Sunday, August 22nd at 8:00 p.m.

Okay, folks.

It's the event you've all been waiting for.

Who can Chuck a cow pie the longest distance?

Look out below!

>> Well I would say people find it unusual.

And interesting.

>> Well T. Is actually what it's named.

We have contestants throw cow chips as far as they can.

And we have different divisions for children, men, women, and sometimes celebrities.

>> All right.

After you.

>> We've always camped here and mom would enter us into all the little things like the mom calling contest and the pig calling contest and we would always throw the cow chip and as soon as I was 17 I would throw the rubber chicken.

I couldn't wait.

I just look for something not too big not too small and can fit in my hand and that is what I go with.

Overhand thrower.

Many years of softball.

>> Oh, yeah.

We threw a heater!

>> 76 feet.

Julia WARMA where are you, Julia?

>> Thank you!

>> Congratulations.

>> Thank you.

>> This is also yours.

>> Frisbee throw.

Got to get one with the right consistency.

One that you feel is going to cut the wind a little bit better.

It's got a little bit of weight to it.

Because a lot of times, you get something too light, it might disintegrate on you, midair.

>> Cow chips are sanitized before they reach us.

I don't know the process but -- um -- they are sanitized.

So they are not just the cow chip off the ground.

>> My chip was about this big.

Okay?

About that thick.

Is the thickness.

And I had a couple of 'em I was trying to decide which one.

And I just -- you just get the one that feels right.

>> That's a good toss.

Whoo!

>> These cow chips actually come to us quite large.

And through time, they become small because they hit the ground and break.

And some people have better success with a smaller piece.

Some people with large because it's kind of thrown as a frisbee.

>> Here we go.

Thank you very much, Matthew.

>> I like to just stand there and -- and give it all I got with my arm.

And see where it goes.

>> Well, I play baseball so I just looked for the one that was about the size of a baseball.

It's different because a baseball's more circular.

And it -- a cow chip is lumpy.

>> 151 feet.

A lot of muscle.

A lot of humph behind that.

Went to college, played baseball there as well.

So I might have a little advantage for that, yeah.

>> Good firsts to.

>> I'd say it's --it's a blast whether you are getting first place or tenth place.

Just getting out and throwing cow chip.

You know, where else can you throw cow chips besides a farm?

>> There are 134 divisions for food contests.

More than 600 different classes.

But if you have never entered a food contest here at the fair, how do you know what to do or how to do it?

I found just the division for you.

The beginner's contest.

♪♪ >> What is the beginner's contest about?

>> It's for people who have never entered in the fair before.

So it's their first time coming.

Um, they're going to learn everything from how to present something.

Making sure they have all their tags and stuff right when they come up to the door.

We have people that are helping with that, specifically.

That have been past entrants that have offered to help them.

And then, as far as what they are bringing today, they have never entered before.

And so, they are going to hear the judges give them some positive comments.

And I imagine they'll be a few things on there that says keep working on it.

Or if they really like it, say working on it a little bit more and bring it again type thing.

So it's just to get their feet wet and it's fun to see how many people come and the variety of what they're bringing.

It's for them to just learn.

>> As you can see, pretty much anything goes for the beginner's contest.

You can bring cake.

You can bring cookies.

You can make a casserole.

Basically, pick whatever you think is your best or favorite recipe.

>> All right, Katelyn.

This is your first entry in a food contest at the fair.

Why did you come this year?

>> Well, I just love baking and I created this tart recipe and I wanted to get it out there.

I entered it in the county fair, too.

And it did real well.

So I'm like I'll try the state fair, too.

>> See what we have here.

>> Had a lot of good entries.

Well-thought out.

Different.

So, in third place, we have Spencer hall.

>> All right, Spencer, this is your first entry in a food contest at the state fair.

Why did you decide to enter this year?

>> Yeah.

No, so, I was kind of looking for a little something to do to kill some time during kind of the earlier part of COVID.

And I -- I elected to try and just make a decent QUESO.

I figured why not bring it down here and just get some constructive criticism or feedback?

>> In second place, so these were cinnamon rolls.

They're very good.

Cinnamon was excellent.

>> Okay, crystal, second place.

You got a red ribbon at the fair.

>> I'm so excited.

I did not expect to place at all.

>> What do you think of the feedback you got?

>> I thought it was really beneficial just cause like the little things.

I didn't know not to put my name on it so to put the exhibiter number, instead.

So there was lots of good feedback.

>> You know that first ribbon they like to get and if they like to cook, we have hooked them.

We've hooked them to come back.

In first place, Christine Mcleery.

She made a Bolognese sauce with homemade noodles.

>> Couple years ago, Debbie NESSLER started at the Iowa state fair.

In her new job as -- for simplicity, let's just call it head of Iowa 4H but what is the real title?

>> I am the Iowa 4H program leader.

>> So did you know when you took the job, that you would start right in the middle of one of your biggest events?

>> I actually planned that on purpose.

Um, I think there is no place better than to learn a program than when there is a little bit of stress and a lot of accolades for our youth.

So I chose that on purpose.

>> And you came to the Iowa state fair.

And then, all of a sudden, you didn't have a state fair.

And we'll get into that.

But then, when you are in your first-full fair, you have this new building.

What do you think of this?

>> Oh, it's amazing.

It is so wonderful.

It's a much better opportunity for us to showcase the events.

The items and exhibits that the youth have worked so hard all year.

Some people don't realize that they have actually been working on these projects and -- and learning about their projects and -- for the whole year.

So this is really a -- this is what I've learned all year and so we really want to be able to make a nice stage for them to say this is what I've learned and come see it.

>> So, a little tour of sorts.

To our right and to our left are -- they could be one large classroom or two small ones on each on the north and south side.

What is your vision for putting programming in there during the state fair?

>> So we have programming going on in those -- those rooms whole 11 days.

Youth will do extemporaneous public speaking, demonstrations.

So it's an opportunity for them to actually demonstrate what they've learned to a judge, get questions from the judge.

So those actually will be scheduled pretty much nonstop throughout the fair.

>> What's been your impressions of 4H in Iowa since taking over?

>> It is one of the most amazing programs I've -- this is my fourth state to work in.

And Iowa loves 4H like no other state I've worked at.

When I was in Florida prior to here, if I were going to the grocery store and I had a clover on my shirt, it's about a 20 to 30% chance that somebody would know what it is.

In Iowa, everybody knows what that 4H clover is and it's -- it's -- they are very proud of the Iowa 4H program.

And that's a lot of responsibility but it's also one of the most amazing things because I know that there are generations of 4Hers who have invested in this program and also have a vested interest in its success.

So that is -- that is quite an amazing thing.

>> A new building, also, let's get back to your staff, is good for morale.

>> Oh, it is, yeah.

They are excited to show it off.

The lighting's so much better in there.

There's bigger room.

We get to think bigger.

So what are some things that we could do?

So, yeah, they were very excited.

They were excited to be here in person.

But then, to go and get to show off our new building is something that they're very, very proud of.

You know, the -- the pandemic connected us.

We had a shared -- a shared purpose which purpose is an important thing to help youth find.

And so, we had a shared purpose.

And the 4H building and being at state fair allowed us a chance to kind of rally together.

And -- and enjoy a little bit of celebration.

>> Hey.

Did you answer our trivia question correctly?

Let's find out.

The cultural center was built in 1949.

Dedicated in 1950.

And it originally was the girl's 4H dormitory with three floors of bunkbed cots.

How many people could it accommodate?

250?

500?

750?

Or 1,000?

The answer is 500.

The cultural center was built at a cost of $417,000 and had room to house 500 4H girls in dormitory-style accommodations.

Wow.

Now, let's turn to some FFA news now and learn about some students bringing their topiary talents to the fairgrounds.

>> I've known about the horticulture and animal science program through central campus since 6th grade.

Maybe, a couple weeks into the class starting, Mr. Anderson introduced FFA to us.

Started attending and going to FFA and becoming a member.

And then, it kind of just went from there.

>> I wanted to do the animal science part.

But then, I noticed that there was horticulture and I have always loved planting with my mom in the garden.

And I thought it was -- would be a good idea to get -- be a part of something like this and it's a really good atmosphere.

>> FFA has started from the class which is animal science and horticulture.

And from there, I learned so much about animals, plants, and I didn't even really know about showing animals.

But now, here I am going to show my goat at the state fair and the county fair here.

It is part of the Florida culture club that we have here led by our teacher, Mrs. Becker.

Lots of different types of flowers and plants and we learn about what they are, and how we can manipulate them into what people will want.

Topiary is shaping plants into whatever you feel like.

What comes to your mind in that moment.

>> I think when people initially think of topiary, they think of those big, round bushes that you see aligning a driveway.

But topiary, also, doesn't always have to be so professional.

It can be a small hobby that you found yourself liking.

Um -- and something that you do in your backyard.

And it's creative and it can be very personal.

And it -- it doesn't always have to be -- um -- exact.

Most of the topiaries that we have are scented geraniums.

Some of the best -- um -- topiary plants, though, could be your boxed wood.

You could have herbs.

You could have ivy.

Anything like that, really.

>> Pinching like right here, right here.

>> Yeah.

>> My goal is is to, first, make sure that the plant is like healthy and all the dead leaves are gone.

And then, after I assess it, then I just kind of think about what I want to do with the plant.

And how I want to shape it.

>> To me, it's very relaxing because I just like being around the plants.

And just knowing that I am caring for these plants, and making sure that they don't get overgrown.

Or that we can start new plants, and make sure that they are healthy is really relaxing for me.

>> So this is actually our first year being able to showcase our work at the state fair.

And I know that everyone, myself included, is really excited.

And I am definitely excited to take my family out, and show it off.

And show what we've been working on.

Yeah.

I'm really looking forward to that.

>> I definitely want to show, like, my mom and my dad because they've been wondering what I've been doing here.

It's kind of hard to explain to them.

Okay.

And then, you take the other -- >> I recently just became an FFA officer.

It really opens up opportunities for you to, like, work with animals and other people and learn.

>> Gentle, gentle, gentle.

>> It kind of opens up a lot of doors, and you can just see how many fields you can really go into under the big, you know, animal science and horticulture umbrella.

>> About myself, I found out that not only do I really care for animals.

I really care for the plants and that the plants are very relaxing for me.

>> About plants, I've learned they have their limits just like we have our limits.

And sometimes, like, but then also those limits can be pushed.

♪♪ >> The preparation work for any horse show starts months in advance.

You know, you are always practicing.

Right before the show, the prep is all around getting both yourself and your horse ready.

>> We are sisters.

>> We both showed for over 65 years.

>> And we have been coming to the Iowa state fair a lot longer than that because our parents had saddle breds and they had trainers that showed their horses.

The society show's a very important show to many people in Iowa.

They work all year.

They go to other shows in preparation for the Iowa state fair.

But it's kind of the culmination of our -- a good summer's work.

The Jacobson exhibition center is one of a kind.

It's very large.

You can keep away from other horses.

And the best part is it's air conditioned.

It's just a very nice place to show.

>> In Arabian and half-Arabian native costume open, the class is to depict the sheikhs in the desert riding across the sand.

The horses show with the walk, the canter, and the Gallup.

And you are looking for a horse that has a very animated and pretty canter so they are lifting their front legs.

And then, when you get to the hand Gallup, of course, that's where you want them to cover more ground.

So, the Arabian breed of horse, of course, was developed in Arabia.

Very, very old breed.

Arabian blood is found in lots of other breeds that we have in the U.S.

So it's very much a foundation breed to a lot of others that were developed after it.

>> 17 and under.

17 and under is the age of the rider.

Saddle seat is focused on the rider and how they ride and how they present their horse.

Do they sit correctly?

Do they have good control over their horse?

Are they able to have it perform what's being asked at the particular time that it's being asked?

And it's how they use their different aids.

And so, the aids are how do you use your hands?

How do you use your legs?

How do you use your body weight?

All of those things are aids in being able to direct the horse to what you want it to do.

>> We have both been very privileged to be inducted in the Iowa horsemen's all of fame.

Each year, between two to three, some years there were four members that have promoted the horse industry in the state of Iowa have been inducted.

>> Over the years that we've shown, we've gained a lot of friends.

And you don't see a lot of exhibiters except at the shows.

And it's always exciting to see 'em again from year to year.

And from show to show.

And it's just good friends for a lifetime.

>> Open country pleasure.

Country pleasure division exists in many of our breeds that are here at the show.

What the country pleasure division depicts is this is the horse that I would get on, and ride down the road.

I'm gonna go from my farm to my nearby town.

And I'm going to ride this horse.

So I want it, again, to be very mannerly but comfortable to ride.

And of course, it's my horse.

I'm going to town.

I want it to be as fancy as possible, too.

Being an open class, it can be any kind of horse that fits that description.

And pleasure in all classes means a well-mannered horse.

It's horses that are following their rider's commands, at the right time.

Of course, we want them to be showy but manners is always the paramount in every pleasure class.

Open western pleasure.

Again, pleasure meaning manners.

But now, we're talking with western attire, instead of some type of English attire.

So, traditional-western saddle.

Chaps for the riders.

Open means that it's open to any exhibiter.

So, some classes are restricted to amateur.

Some classes are restricted to junior exhibiters.

But when it's open, it's any rider.

And it can be an amateur, a junior exhibiter, or a professional trainer.

I think as a judge, every time you look at that horse and that rider, are they doing what you expect it to do?

And then, how good are they doing it?

Are they just doing it?

Or, you know, so are they average at doing it?

Or are they special at doing it?

And -- and that's what you have to weigh out.

>> Basically, we take rescue dogs from all over the country.

We teach them how to play frisbee.

Then we teach them how to put together routines that showcase their athleticism and what they like to do and it's all choreographed in music and God does the rest.

>> Yes, come on, little buddy.

Go.

Hey, take it back through.

Let's go.

Yes.

How about up over the top this time?

Come on.

Yes.

Up top.

Come on, buddy.

Hey.

Let's go.

# go.

>> Well, that's the unfortunate part about getting rescue dogs because you don't know what their habits are.

What their training's been or lack of training or issues or abuse or anything that they faced.

So not only do you have to figure out what's going on with them.

You have to untrain some of the bad personality and physical traits that are there.

And then, retrain them the way you want to.

>> We're just looking at what that dog likes to do.

And then, we fit that into a routine and make it work for them.

♪♪ >> Nicole and her newest puppy billy.

>> Well, there is three things we look for.

Number one obviously is the physical attributes.

We don't -- we are obviously not going to put a Great Dane in our show.

Second is the drive.

Do they really take to chasing objects?

And the third is how sociable are they?

Because you can be the best frisbee dog in the world but if I can't put you out there to take pictures with a child or baby in a stroller, then it's all for not.

>> Go.

Go.

Hey.

Go.

Go.

Yes!

Yes.

Come on.

Catch a butterfly.

Wait.

Let's go.

Hey.

That's the first.

That's the second skip.

That's the third skip.

And now, let's see if she really will flip out.

Now, get ready.

Hey.

Yes.

Go.

Hey.

There's another skip.

Come on.

Let her hear from you.

Hey!

♪♪ There it is.

Yes.

All right.

Let's go.

Come on.

Go through.

Up.

>> Sometimes, you just need to stop and smell the roses and pretend you're right there at the fair.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Well, that's it for tonight's program.

If you want to experience the show again, log into our website or YouTube channel.

We'll have full shows there.

Our social media pages have loads of state fair content, as well, from the past and present.

There are a variety of ways to engage with us about our beloved state fair anytime and anywhere.

Hey.

Guess what?

Tomorrow, we'll be back again with even more state fair highlights.

And you thought we were done.

No way.

We'll cover the stock dog trials, ladies rubber chicken throwing, and, of course, the 4H and FFA sale of champions.

Can't wait to see y'all tomorrow.

Until then, I'm Bill Riley.

Have fun at the fair.

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The Iowa PBS foundation.

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Count on EMC.

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I think it's important to share our story, and that others know that we are always striving to do better.

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Learn more about planning for their tomorrow at collegesavingsIowa.com.

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