Judge Rose Gaynor looks Saturday at the teeth of Tristen Kapelle's 15-month-old Australian blue heeler, Tripp, as the annual Douglas County 4-H Dog Show at the county fairgrounds. Looking on in the background are Maisy Sruve, left, and Ruby Struve. Tristen and Tripp won best-in-show for showmanship at the dog show.

Tristen Kapelle came to Saturday’s Douglas County 4-H Dog Show with one goal in mind.

“I’m here to win,” the 13-year-old Palmyra 4-H Club member said.

Two hours later, Tristen and his Australian blue heeler Tripp left the show with the best-in-show Mary Berg Award for showmanship. Kelly Kapelle, Tristen’s mother, said that was a pretty good result considering it was the first time Tristen and his 15-month-old Tripp had ever been a part of a dog show.

“They have been working hard,” she said. “They went to five trainings the 4-H Dog Club had.”

The family has another Australian heeler on the farm between Lawrence and Baldwin City, Tristen said. They got Tripp because Australian heelers are good cattle dogs and they’re smart, he said.

Tristen and Tripp got a ribbon in the show’s obedience competition, but fellow Palmyra 4-H Club member Cooper Bentley and her dog Lulu won the best-in-show Barbara Reike Award for obedience.

The 4-H Pet and Dog shows got the annual Douglas County Fair underway Saturday. The will be a few other 4-H shows in the coming week before the fair officially starts Tuesday, July 31.

Tristen said he was set for a busy fair. He is also showing horses and pigs raised on the family farm.