Brother, sister claim victories at Livingston County 4H fair

Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader
·2 min read

Finding success at the county fair is an accomplishment shared by many, and may reach higher levels when siblings come out on top.

The brother-sister duo of Eli and Ava Faber enjoyed success within hours of the opening of the Livingston County Agricultural Fair Wednesday.

The Fabers are members of the Pontiac Power Rockets 4H club and were showing dairy cattle together. Ava Faber found a little more success, but the two each walked away with a number of ribbons.

Ava Faber works with her fall yearling in the show ring at Livingston County Agricultural Fair. Faber won junior champion with this yearling.
Ava Faber works with her fall yearling in the show ring at Livingston County Agricultural Fair. Faber won junior champion with this yearling.

“Showing is probably my favorite part of it,” Ava said.

Eleven-year-old Ava came away with three first-place ribbons while also claiming junior champion for her fall yearling calf. She also claimed reserve junior champion for her summer yearling in the morning portion of dairy cattle showing.

It feels good to win, Ava said. Some of that winning comes at the expense of her younger brother, but the siblings say any win for the family is a win.

“No matter what we're a group. It's teamwork,” Ava said. “We work together.”

Eli, 9, likes to win, too. And while he relishes his victories over his sisters, family pride prevails.

“It's fun especially when you beat her,” Eli said. “It's especially fun when you get to do it with your friends and family.”

Eli came away with three first-place ribbons and a pair of reserve champions in the dairy showing.

Eli Faber with his favorite cow, Dancer, a 2-year-old Ayrshire. Faber showed Dancer at the Livingston County Agricultural Fair Wednesday.
Eli Faber with his favorite cow, Dancer, a 2-year-old Ayrshire. Faber showed Dancer at the Livingston County Agricultural Fair Wednesday.

Ava and Eli's dad, Jesse Faber, is the FFA advisor at Pontiac Township High School.

Besides showing, Ava had gotten into judging. She was a member of team that found success recently.

“I do livestock judging, dairy judging (and) meats judging,” Ava said.

Outside of working with their animals, the Fabers enjoy competiting in athletics. Ava is a swimmer and Eli plays baseball. He was a member of the team that won the 8U division at a tournament in Dwight recently.

Both will be showing at the state fair, which will be held next month in Springfield.

Eli Faber controls his calf while he listens to the judge during dairy showing Wednesday at the Livingston County Agricultural Fair.
Eli Faber controls his calf while he listens to the judge during dairy showing Wednesday at the Livingston County Agricultural Fair.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Faber family in Pontiac show out at Livingston County 4H fair