By Alex Bridges -- Daily Staff Writer

BERRYVILLE — Olympians rarely stop to eat the playing field.

But some animals in the Clarke County Fair's Sheep and Goat Olympics, held Thursday morning, did just that before hitting the obstacle course.

A few even "baaa-ed" along with the national anthem as sung by Bank of Clarke County Marketing Director John Hudson.

Children pulled and pushed their goats and lambs along the path, through a tunnel made from hay bales, to a plastic tarp. There the children had to walk with a ball between their legs, then put the ball through a basketball hoop. Animals then had to jump over two hurdles, stopping at a bucket of food in between, and hit a slalom. Goats and lambs, led by their owners, weaved in and out of the poles and walked up steps to the finish.

At least 30 children participated in the Olympics this year — the second to feature goats.

Maeve Juday, 10, of Berryville stood by her lamb, Snickers. She and her sister, Sinead, waited by their father, Dave Juday.

"You have to run him around, make sure he goes fast, make sure he can go through things and jump," Maeve said. "At first they're really jumpy cause they've never done this before."

When a goat or lamb wouldn't keep moving forward, owners held the animal under the neck and lifted it up over the hurdles or gave it a push from behind.

Kit Kat, Coby Wiley's goat, kicked up its hind legs when it jumped over hurdles. It didn't have trouble going through the hay-bale tunnel.

"They want to stop and eat it," said Coby's mother, Chastity Wiley.

A couple of the participants just picked up their animals and ran through the course — a feat that wasn't against the rules, of which there are only a few, said announcer and organizer Mike Morris.

All animals must show during the fair in order to particpate, Morris said. But the main rule is: "Have fun."

"They've been caring for these animals all summer," Morris said.

The Olympics gives them a fun activity before selling their animals at the auction, he said.

"It's an even playing field, and again, it's all in fun," Morris said.

The event requires more guts than practice.

"I don't think there's any training, it's just to get out here and try it," said Brianna Smith, 17, of Clarke County, holding her goat.

"You don't really have to train for it. You just come out here and have fun," chimed in 14-year-old Kiersten Cochran. "It's just 4-H [members] getting together and having a fun time."

During Smith's turn, her goat slipped from its leash and tried to leave the fenced-in area, but spectators stopped it. Her animal's attempt to run away later earned Smith the "loose goat" award.

Top "Olympian" winners received 2008 silver dollars from the Bank of Clarke County. Organizers presented awards to both goats and sheep in various categories, such as speed.

Most of the sheep and goats took home awards and prizes for sheer "enthusiasm."

* Contact Alex Bridges at abridges@nvdaily.com