By George Starks
GREENVILLE- When it comes to producing a winner at the Darke County fair, age is not a factor. In 2022, there’s been ninea year old winners all the way to a 19 year old with a grand champion.
In the case of 14 year old London Reichert, a eighth grader at Ansonia, she will be entering class with a much fatter bank account than most others.
Tuesday, Reichert sold her gran champion market meat lamb for a whopping $7,265. The daughter of Jody and Henry Reichert.
Like all true champions, Reichert all but lives in the barn with her 4-H project.
“Every morning I get up and go straight to the barn,” Reichert pointed out. “The first thing I have to do is feed. After that the lamb gets a bath then I have to work on the legs and exercise it. I spend half my day in the barn with it.”
According to Reichert, the hours are long but worth it in the end.
“I will spend at least five hours in the barn everyday,” said Reichert. “The legs are the most important part of the animal. The loins have to be very visible to the judge. That’s what determines the quality of the lamb. It takes a lot of work and a great support system.”
According to Reichert, the mental aspect is a large part of her success.
“No matter what, you can never give up. You must keep going no matter what.” Reichert stressed. “If you lose, you can always come back next year.”
NOTE: as many of you read in these two articles, both Reichert and Light put a lot of emphasis on the legs and loin. The loin is the best cut of meat while the legs is the second best of the cuts of meat.
CNO Photo by George Starks – London Reichert shows off her grand champion market lamb after the sale Tuesday. The Ansonia eighth grader profited over $7,000.