TROY — Paisley McCarroll, 13, member of Showin’ & Growin’ 4-H club, and daughter of Ryan and Ashley McCarroll, of West Milton, took “Queen” (King) of the Ring at the 2024 Miami County Fair.

She swept the sheep and poultry Showman of Showmen titles in both barns after winning the intermediate showmanship divisions for both species. The overall Showman winners from eight different species then came together to compete for one title, The King of the Ring, which Paisley won.

When McCarroll wasn’t in the show ring exhibiting her projects, she was working dairy cows, beef cows, horses, rabbits, market goats, hogs, sheep, and poultry, learning from anyone who was willing to help her, according to information provided by the Miami County Fair.

“My cousin won the King of the Ring last year and while she didn’t want to give up her title, she encouraged me to go after it,” Paisley said. Paisley’s cousin, Darby Welbaum, 20, of Troy, took an entire day of the fair to introduce her to other exhibitors who were willing to coach her along. The cousins worked together, helping Paisley conquer her fears and try new things.

Moving barn to barn, showing all of the species, Paisley scored enough points to conquer the competition. She earned a belt buckle, cash, and a traveling trophy. The fourth year 4-H member says she dedicated her entire summer to studying Skillathon material, the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection, and quiz bowl information. When she was not in the books, McCarroll was hatching and handling Old English Game Bantams with her sister, Lola, 11, also a member of Showin’ & Growin’ 4-H club, and daughter of Ryan and Ashley McCarroll, and doing a daily maintenance routine with show sheep.

“We spend a minimum of four to six hours a day in the barn. Each and every day, no exceptions,” Paisley said.

Winning Champion Bantam Fowl, Reserve Bantam Fowl, Overall Fancy Poultry, Reserve Champion Market Lamb, and Champion Miami County Born and Raised Lamb, the McCarroll sisters, must be onto something.

“We attend church and youth group and past that, we say no to most everything else so we can be fully dedicated to our show animals. It’s what our family does for fun.” Paisley said.

The sisters not only racked up banners and trophies but among their favorite win was the sheep barn quiz bowl. Paisley won the intermediate division while her little sister, Lola, scored the highest in the junior division. New to the fair this year was a Premier exhibitor award. The top scores from the market show, born and raised show, showmanship, and quiz bowl were combined for an overall premier sheep exhibitor. Paisley took the title and Lola the reserve placing.

Paisley went on to share a few results from the state fair, “My sister and I have been hatching our show birds for over three years and we exhibited the overall bantam fowl this year at the Ohio State Fair. It was a really exciting accomplishment, especially because we hatched it ourselves, right in our kitchen.”

Paisley scored second place in both the poultry and sheep skillathons at the state level. Losing the poultry quiz by only a half point, she said she’s coming back next year even stronger.

Paisley was named outstanding market exhibitor in the state fair sheep barn and was presented with a monetary gift and a belt buckle at the sale of champions.

“You don’t always win when you work hard but the hard work helps,” Paisley said.

She shared her appreciation for all of the family and friends who root them on and believe in them.

When asking Paisley what she will do with her free time after the fair is over and the sheep go to market she delivered a simple response, “I’m going home to keep grinding and set goals for next year.”