Other 2006 Royal Critter Contest finalists were:
- April the Guinea Pig (owner Jordyn Anderson, Maple Valley);
- Suede the Alpaca (owner Gary Bledsoe, Maple Valley);
- Rocky the Standard Schnauzer (owners Lucas and Tyler Ryynanen, Hobart);
- George 1 and George 2 the Rats (owner Amelia Serafin, Seattle);
- Pete and RePete the Fainting Goats (owners Madison and Macie Bosik, Enumclaw);
- Mr. Peepers the Black Polish Rooster (owner Zane Holmes, Covington);
- Oliver the Orange Tabby Cat (owners Lucas and Tyler Ryynanen, Hobart).
A 24-year-old Morgan/Arab horse that knows how to "shake hands" and competes in barrel racing has been crowned the Royal Critter of the 2006 King County Fair in Enumclaw.
Jake, and his owner, 12-year-old Lexie Holmes of Covington, took top honors in the competition Wednesday, fending off stiff competition from an emu, a rabbit and seven other critters who were vying for the coveted crown. Jake was crowned during the fair's grand opening ceremonies by County Councilmember Reagan Dunn.
"He's just a really good boy," said Lexie. "He's really good with kids, and he doesn't freak out like some other horses do when there's a big crowd of people or lots of noise."
Jake is also talented. Not only does he know how to "shake hands," but he's got a whole bulletin board full of ribbons, according to Lexie, who will be barrel racing with Jake later during the fair as part of the Golden Horseshoes 4-H Club. Jake replaces outgoing Royal Critter, Phoenix the Rooster.
First runner-up was Elmo the Emu, owned by Daniel Dunlap of Enumclaw. Second runner-up was Ron Weasly the Rabbit, owned by Callie Weber of Issaquah.
Other 2006 Royal Critter Contest finalists were:
- April the Guinea Pig (owner Jordyn Anderson, Maple Valley);
- Suede the Alpaca (owner Gary Bledsoe, Maple Valley);
- Rocky the Standard Schnauzer (owners Lucas and Tyler Ryynanen, Hobart);
- George 1 and George 2 the Rats (owner Amelia Serafin, Seattle);
- Pete and RePete the Fainting Goats (owners Madison and Macie Bosik, Enumclaw);
- Mr. Peepers the Black Polish Rooster (owner Zane Holmes, Covington);
- Oliver the Orange Tabby Cat (owners Lucas and Tyler Ryynanen, Hobart).
Royal Critter Hall of Fame
1974 Sheeba the Goat
1975 Henrietta the Goose
1976 Plum the Cow
1977 Julie the Hen
1978 Synthia the Swine
1979 Strawberry the Lamb
1980 Lila the Lamb
1981 Sarah the Goat
1982 Elizabeth the Polish Hen
1983 Candy Babe the Horse
1984 Katrina the Calf
1985 Eli the Donkey
1986 Gomer the Basset Hound
1987 Wishbone the Turkey
1988 Saki the Llama
1989 Becky the Cow
1990 Khyber the Cat
1991 Grumpy the Potbellied Pig
1992 Bruno the Llama & Kelsey the Dog
1993 - 1997 No Royal Critter crowned
1998 Munchado the Llama
1999 Buttercup the Rhode Island Red Chicken
2000 Hannah the Miniature Southdown Sheep
2001 Anna the Holstein
2002 Dulce De Leche, The Nubian Goat
2003 Jeffrey, The Romney Sheep
2004 Charlie, The Alpaca
2005 Phoenix, the Rooster
