San Carlos Girl Hoofing it Up at County Fair

Patch readers may recall the story of San Carlos 4-H member Nicole Nielsen who successfully won a Sullivan Ranch heifer calf thanks to an essay she wrote last December. Well, Nicole and her prize heifer, Marie Ann, are competing this week at the San Mateo County Fair.

Nicole's mom Robin Nielsen proudly reports that Marie Ann was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Heifer at the fair this week.

"We are so proud!" Robin told Patch in an email.

"There were 4 heifers in the class. Nicole has to get up at 6:00 every morning to go and clean and feed all of her animals, then return each evening to do the same again. We often spend all day at the fair!" she added.

In addition to showing Marie Ann, Nicole has competed in lambs and lamb showmanship, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, breeding heifers. She was a contestant on the Avian Bowl and the Rabbit Bowl teams for the San Carlos/Eaton Hills 4-H club—quiz shows that ask questions about poultry and rabbits.

And if that’s not enough, Robin said Nicole also has barn duties to attend to, maintaining the overall cleanliness of the barn and working as late as 10:00 p.m. some nights.

“We are all very tired and looking forward to the end of fair, but we have also enjoyed being with our livestock friends from all over the county,” said Robin.

Later this summer, Nicole, whose grandfather lives in Nevada County, will showing her prized heifer at the Nevada County Fair.

Robin, Nicole, and Marie Ann invite everyone to come by the fair and say hello. They will be at the fair through closing on Sunday.